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What is the biggest bang for your buck in home remodeling in Portland Oregon?

By
Real Estate Agent with Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon

hammer and house

 

What is the biggest bang for your buck in home remodeling in Portland Oregon?

As a REALTOR® I often get asked this question when someone is thinking about selling their home. When you're listing a home that has had updates and some remodeling, it's important to know the costs that you'll be able to recoup in the best of cases.

Of course there are many variables on this. One being how long you've been in the home since these have been added as well as if you have many updates that price you out of a neighborhood. Others could be if you used specific material that might appeal to you specifically, but maybe not a great thing for the majority of buyers looking.

As an example, I've been in remodeled kitchens that have chosen a top of the line glass backsplash and granite counter tops, but they were in an odd green color that will appeal to some, but not most. When selling your home, you want to appeal to most.

According to the Remodeling 2010–11 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) the cost recoup value has gone down in every area as compared to the same report in 2009-2010. 

What was the biggest bang for your buck you ask?

Well, in the mid range project category for the Portland Oregon area the top three remodels with the most cost recoup were:

1. Attic bedroom remodel @77.6%

2. Minor Kitchen Remodel @ 76%

3. Basement Remodel @ 74%

Surprisingly, a bathroom remodel only recouped 57.2% of its costs.

The least bang for you buck..or cost recoup in Portland were:

1. Back up power generator @36.7%

2. Sunroom Addition@ 38.1%

3. Home office Remodel @ 39.7%

I would have thought a sunroom addition would have been higher in Portland..go figure.

 

If you know you might be moving within the next three to five years and thinking of doing some updates or remodeling, you might want to stick with the mid-range project category instead of going all out to do an upscale remodel unless of course the home is in a very upscale neighborhood and price range that would demand this.You'll get a more of a cost recoup this way in the mid range.

If you have a feeling that your current home will be the one that you'll be enjoying for a very long time...then go ahead and put in those personal updates that have special significance to you. Otherwise, it would be good to stick with neutrals when choosing colors in tile for that remodel. I don't think that blue and pink tile of the 60's will be coming back anytime soon.

When selling a home that has been updated, it still doesn't affect the three most motivating factors of a home on the market. Price, Location, and condition. You can have the best looking house in the neighborhood, but if it's overpriced, on a busy road and shows messy, then no matter what updates and remodeling you do to your home...it will probably not help the sale as much as you think it will.

 

Posted by

 

Knowledgeable, Approachable, Service Oriented

Cindy Westfall ABR,GRI

Premiere Property Group,LLC

5000 Meadows Rd., Ste. 150, Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Cell: 503-819-5241      

E-Mail: cindy@cindywestfall.com

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Disclaimer: All views on my blog are my own and may not reflect that of Premiere Property Group. All pictures and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please No Copying without my permission.

 Cynthia Westfall is licensed in Oregon State

 

Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I always believed it to be the kitchen and baths.

May 07, 2011 03:05 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Those are some interesting stats. Like you, I would think the sunroom would bring a higher return.
margaret

May 07, 2011 05:34 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Jill, The kitchen did get the most in the recoup area. and can see the value of the extra usable square footage of a basement remodel..but yes, thought we'd recoup more from a bathroom remodel.

May 07, 2011 05:38 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Margaret, Especially here in Portland in the rainy winter months. I could easily see myself making use of that space.

May 07, 2011 05:40 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Cindy and a very interesting post for Portland and full of some great information!

VB ;o)

May 07, 2011 06:07 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Happy Mother Day Cindy,  Great post.  It is the question that everyone always ask me.  Most times, people think they should get 200% markup for putting in a window.  Most people buy homes with windows already in.  Have a great day!

May 08, 2011 03:03 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi VB, Thank you, I always love the local stats to see how Portland compares to other places.

May 08, 2011 04:05 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Will, Thanks! Today also happens to be my 28th wedding anniversary as well. This is true on most people wanting to get 100% and more return, and who wouldn't...but it doesn't work that way in most cases. What you do get are updated features that you live with and enjoy, new windows that save on energy bills, etc.  If selling, these updates and remodels will give the home an advantage over the competition..if of course priced right.

May 08, 2011 04:12 AM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Anniversary too, Cindy,  These stats are a little surprising, but not really when you think of it.  The one I am surprised at though is the bathroom, I would have thought updating, not going all out would bring more than the 57%.  Who knows, very good information, thanks.

May 08, 2011 10:44 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Cindy ~ each year I find that report interesting, and print out a copy to keep in my portfolio as a reference.  For anyone planning to sell, it helps to get a professional neutral opinion (by someone other than a contractor) on what items would make most sense to update or remodel.  Most of my clients are advised to do easy cosmetic improvements and make sure their home is presented at its best -- but not to spend a lot on remodeling, which may not be recouped when selling.

Happy Mother's Day and Anniversary to you today!  I'm sure your family is pampering you!!

May 08, 2011 11:48 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Mary, Thanks! hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day as well. I think updating your bathrooms is great if you can enjoy them..but if doing it to sell, then the recoup will probably be less time on the market if the home compares better to others in the same price range instead of getting back that 100%

May 08, 2011 06:21 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Maureen. Out to dinner at the Charthouse..so no cooking (not that I cook much anyway..lol). Most of the high end remodeling stats faired even worse on recouping than the mid range. I always like this report as well especially when you can look at your own City or area for specific stats. I hope you had a great Mothers Day as well!

May 08, 2011 06:25 PM