Remodeling? Don't Do It Just to Increase Your Home Value

Where did you see that absolutely perfect kitchen or bath,
with the exquisite granite countertop and custom cabinets?
In a magazine? A home show? Your friend's house?

And are you already imagining what your remodeled room
would look like, feel like - the total picture? That's good!

But if you're about to spend anywhere from $5,000 to
$40,000 on a home-improvement project, don't do it solely
to increase the value of your home ahead of a potential
sale. These days, remodeling means putting more into the
house than you can get out of it financially.

Remodeling magazine recently produced its annual "Cost vs.
Value" report for 2006, the result of a survey of over
2,000 members of the National Association of Realtors.
According to them, "minor kitchen remodels" have the best
value performance, at 85.2% of your investment.

That means if you spend $10,000 on a remodel, you'll only
see your home value go up $8,520 when you sell it. And that
difference doesn't even take into account the interest you
could've earned on the $10,000 if you hadn't spent it.

This isn't meant to discourage you from pursuing a
remodeling project. It's simply meant to help you take the
remodeling leap for the right reasons. The difference
between the room's current use and the need or desire for
its future use should be the prime motivator behind any
remodeling project.

Start with a solid understand of the room's use. For
example, who's always in the kitchen or bathroom? When, and
for how long? How much cooking are you really doing, and
are you always hunting for supplies that should be right at
hand? Are there bottlenecks outside the one bathroom door?
Family members elbowing for space in front of the sink and
mirror? Towels spilling out from insufficient storage?

Then bring your dreams into play. If you saw your ideal
kitchen or bath in a magazine, grab the picture and keep it
in a folder to bring to a design consultation. In fact,
find as many great ones as you can! Even if they're all way
out of your price range - and don't assume that they are -
it'll provide inspiration for the design process.

And then determine your budget. Once you know exactly how
much you want to spend, you can approach a design-build
firm to get the remodel you want, with materials priced
within your budget from the start.

These days, when you remodel, you're not only adding value
of your home, you're adding to the quality of your life.
And if you approach your investment with that in mind,
you'll be even happier with the results.


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About G.M. Roth
Since 1986, G.M. Roth Design and Remodeling has been
designing and building award-winning projects. From kitchen
and bath remodeling to in-law suites, porches and decks,
clients get their "Dreams Delivered" by G.M. Roth. To find
out more about G.M. Roth, and how their commitment to the
Design/Build philosophy provides flexibility for your
project while preventing time delays and cost overruns, go
to http://www.GMRoth.com .