Should You Sell or Renovate Your Home?

If you’ve grown tired of your once exciting living quarters, it may be time to move or improve your home. Perhaps your current residence no longer suits your lifestyle or fits your ever-growing family, but deciding whether to sell your home and move elsewhere or stay and renovate can be tough. While there is no magic answer to this question and it ultimately depends on the homeowner, here is some advice to help you decide which is right for you

Understanding the Costs

When deciding whether to sell or renovate your home, it is important to fully understand the costs-financially and emotionally. While it is imperative to be financially ready, asses your funds & credit score, and add up costs for both moving and renovating, being emotionally ready is also important. Is it the right time for this change, are you putting your children in a different school, or are you moving further away from work extending your commute time are just a few questions to ask yourself when weighing your options.

Weighing the Pros & Cons

What are the pros of staying in your home? What are the pros of leaving? Making a list and weighing out the pros & cons of staying and renovating or packing up and selling is a great idea to help you find which is right for you. It is best to include in this list current mortgage rates and the status of the housing market, what your current and future needs are, and the sentimental value of your home amongst other things. Once the lists are complete, compare the two, review, and assess which option outweighs the other.

Looking Around

If you are stuck on deciding and want to look into both options, take time to look around. Hire a real estate agent to learn more about the market and help you figure out the prices of other homes being sold in your area. Visit open houses over weekends to visually see what’s out there or for remodeling ideas. Meet with local contractors and ask for pricing estimates for your renovation ideas.