Let’s have a show of hands: Who is going to remodel their home in the next six months? Before you raise a hand or tuck it in your pocket, think about the last six months. Most of us have done something to our homes in the last six months, if not, then we probably will in the next six.
Siding, a new roof, landscaping, carpet, appliances, artwork or new furniture: all of these items fall into the remodeling category. Additionally, every few years most of us will jump into bigger projects, such as kitchens, baths or basements.
Just because the new housing market is down, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to remodel, especially this time of year.
During spring we tend to discover our home’s potential. It comes with the turf in Colorado, where people take advantage of the change of seasons. Does the old garden and landscape need to be thought about in a different way? Would a different color trim make the house stand out? Would the home-office addition open up career choices that seem just out of reach? It’s the time of year in which we find the things that we’ve ignored throughout the winter and give them some serious thought.
For many people, it makes sense to spend money renewing their current home rather than trying to sell it. The investment pays off in two ways. Remodeling one’s home means you have a better place to live. When it’s all broken down, remodeling your home can cost considerably less than buying new. That’s especially true for those who live in strong neighborhoods where values are likely to ascend when the housing market improves. Secondly, when the time comes to sell, you will have a better “product.” Who knows where the new-housing market goes from here? If one listens to the experts, it could be a decade before it rebounds.
Whether you are planning a quick improvement by painting, or seeking to make structural changes with an addition, spring is a good time to renew your property.
Joe Ross
Renew editor
