So the question is what is the difference between remodeled and reahabbed ? In general the person that has done the work and describes it as a remodel job has given you a BIG CLUE.

In essence the re-modeler can be anyone with any amount of experience. The re-modeler generally is a person though that tackles a single task in a home or several tasks in a home using current products on the market to either create a new space or redo a space that either does not work or they would like to see work better or in a different way.

The rehabber however could tackle the same job but would prefer to do a complete makeover of the entire project rather than 1 or a few spaces. The rehabber will also search hi and low for products that match the vintage of the home in order to keep the original flair of the home alive. This of course does not pertain to Kitchen updates using todays new appliances etc. But would pertain to Trim and Mouldings and Floor coverings etc.

Example :

About a year ago a Contractor whom I did not know called and asked If I would come by a project that he was working on. He had been out driving around the neighborhoods in Portland Oregon and had passed by several Real Estate signs with my name on them. He noticed that most of these were properties that had been recently rehabbed. I am always looking for new Clients especially those who are able to produce a quality product.

As a Real Estate Broker in Portland Oregon specializing in working with Fixers and Flips I am always looking for new clients especially for those who can put out a quality product. 

The home that he was working on was built in 1929, a small 1 story with what can only be described as a traditional style. Nothing fancy with about 800 sq feet on the main floor and another 800 sq ft of finished basement. So far so good.

Right here was where I started to see the problems in his work. The Sheet Rocking was complete with its first coats of mud . I noticed that the Corners were all Bull-nose ( rounded ) not something that you would see in a 1929 house, only in a newer construction home.

I continued to walk through the home. The Floors on the Main level had been covered. I peeled back the paper on the floor and noticed that they had chosen to install a floating floor rather than finishing the original Hardwood floors. Again another product that is new age and not befitting the 1929 style.

A quick look in the Garage, currently used as storage for purchased items yet to be installed, showed a whole series of new age materials and nothing of the 1929 era. It was obvious that the contractor was more of a remodeler and not used to rehabbing. More so he was looking for quick solutions rather than restoring the homes original beauty.

I thanked him for his time and wished him well as it was not the type of project that I sold. It was not his fault, he just did not understand the difference that a rehabbed house makes to the Buyers. A remodeled home with all new age materials looks like a new age home. It lacks the character and charm of the original beauty.

The Contractor  paid the price later that year leaving a significant chunk of money on the table by creating a nice home but not staying true to the conventions of the Rehabbed home. Homes in his area similar sized but rehabbed instead of remodeled were selling for $20,000 to $35,000 more than he was able to get from his home.