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When Remodeling Think Cost to Value

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Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives Boston West 113011
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Pat Baker's Blog

When considering home inprovements think cost to value.  There are certain projects that will give you the best bang for your buck.  This can vary in what region your home is located.  In the
northeast kitchens and baths give the best return
.  I have listed below the national averages with the actual cost the resale value and the cost recouped.  Notice how high kitchens , baths and the the big return on siding (fiber). 

I believe that if you also consider doing energy and green remodeling along with your improvements you will save in energy and in tax benefits.  Do you homework and choose a designer and contractor who offer give your a range of prices depending on what the finished product will be.  For example, my clients used a designer and they chose the cabinetry and it was installed by them but they needed to make some concessions on the total cost and worked with some other contractors for the remainder of the work.




Consider using radiant floor heating.  This is the most cost effective system.  I have a friend who has a 17,000 square foot home and he uses this type of heat.  It is so much less expensive than
other types of heat.  The system is hydronic radiant floor heating.  Hot water from a boiler is pumped through a series of tubes below the floor.  Heat radiates from the floor providing an efficient form of heating.    He bought a home several years back for 3 million, then he did major renovations and  added on. He chose this type of heat.  I could not believe what his heating costs were for this very large home.  I only use this as an example because even a large home can  be less costly to heat with the right heating system.

There are many considerations and up front it might seem more expensive but in the long run you will be glad because you will have saved.

You might also want to think about a high efficency oil burner and watch the cost of heating your home go down. Make upgrading our old inefficient heating system to a new high efficiency one.

Pat Baker, REALTOR, ABR, GREEN Needham, MA Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of Needham, MA.  Serving my clients in Needham, Dover, Wellesley, Dedham, Westwood, Weston, Natick, Sherborn, Holliston www.patannbaker.com/propertysearch/  617-435-3471
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Pat, these are great statistics to show clients who are considering remodeling but need to watch the bottom line for resale. Thanks for posting.

Feb 14, 2009 09:39 AM
Vanessa V. Simmons
Real Living HER - Columbus, OH
Realtor

With margins being so tight for sellers this is just the tool we need to help our clients evaluate where to spend. 

Feb 14, 2009 08:54 PM