“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Sponsor a Community — What is Localism? | Register or Sign In
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?
Home

Should I remodel my home before I sell?

I often get this question from neighbors or potential clients as I walk around their homes. My answer is always, it depends. It depends on the condition of the original room, the amount of money they want to spend and the condition of other homes in the area.

Remodeling Magazine and Realtor Magazine have teamed up again to analyze the Remodeling Cost vs. Value of certain projects across the country. I will focus on the costs vs. value in the Chicagoland area.

Remodel 2007

Basement RemodelDoes it always pay back the full 100% when remodeling? The answer to that is no. Will it help the home sell compared to other homes on the market; most definitely yes. If it’s just a friend asking for advice, I tell them to do the work now and enjoy the outcome. If a person has to sell right away and wants to remodel, I tell them to take their strong personal style out of the process and go for the look that most people will enjoy.

And, if asked, I always encourage people to remove wall paper and paint instead. That, most definitely will get you 100% return on your investment.

* Not Chicago specific – IL, IN, MI, OH, WI average

Posted Tuesday Dec 11