Things To Consider When You Add-On
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Say you've outgrown your living quarters and like where
you live, but cannot afford the larger houses in your neighborhood or your
community. You do have options. You can add on, or you can turn
existing space you've never thought of using into bedrooms or bathrooms. Before you expand, you have to look into the physical,
legal and financial aspects involved. For example, say you want a two-story addition that might
accommodate a master suite on the second floor and a family room on the
first. Do you have enough property to do it and still comply
with local planning and zoning regulations? And even if you do, what about
the neighbors? They certainly will want a say in something that might block
the sun from their gardens or affect property values, taxes and resales. If you've never thought as far as resale, consider it
before you make another move. Don't over-enlarge. In a neighborhood full of
three-bedroom houses that are attracting small families, how quickly will your
five-bedroom house sell? It is something you need to consider. Two-story additions should look as if they are integrated
with the original structures. Matching stone is always the toughest. Brick is
easier to blend, since used brick is available in great quantity in this
area. But it is much more expensive than new because old mortar has to be
cleaned from the surfaces of the brick. The Cost vs. Value report jointly sponsored by Remodeler
and Realtor magazines has not included a two-story addition for several years
because costs and returns on such expenditures vary greatly. If an addition does not work for you, why not look into
the attic and the basement? The Cost vs. Value report shows that creating an
air-conditioned attic bedroom - a 15-by-15-foot room with a 5-by-7-foot
shower bath - averages $22,840 nationally, and that 84 percent of that money
will be recouped at resale time. The attics of some houses are merely crawl spaces, so
often roofs need to be bumped up to create headroom. Although resale might not be an issue here - extra space
can mean a home office, a guest room, or a playroom for families not needing
an extra bedroom - you will need to contact the local building official to
see what kind of permits are needed. If you have to change the exterior of the house by making
it taller, then planning and zoning approvals are needed. The neighbors'
approval is, too. What about basements? When people buy older houses, one of the first places
they look to expand into is the basement. One of the first questions they ask
is whether the basement is wet or dry. Although a finished basement is just one item on a
buyer's wish list, it sometimes can make or break a resale. Other uses include exercise rooms, home offices, and
storage. New-home buyers have it a little easier because houses
are coming with what are called "bonus rooms." Actually, they are
not rooms - just spaces that will become something when the homeowner needs
them. Bonus space is probably one of the more popular options
in new construction because it gives the buyer the option of having room to
grow without having to decide what to build, or pay up front for it. Although tastes vary from region to region, there are
some shared preferences. One is house size. According to a recent survey by the
National Association of Home Builders, buyers in all regions are looking for
houses with more than 2,200 square feet of living space. They also prefer to
pay no more than $200,000 for whatever they buy. People in the Northeast like to entertain formally, and
prefer a formal living room, and dining room, and a separate family room,
instead of a "great room" with an eating area. The typical Northeast buyer prefers a traditional
two-story with three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, the magazine reported. If the
builder could add 100 square feet of living space to a house, buyers would
want it in the family room or living room. In the Southerners prefer informal living in a one-story
traditional brick house. Buyers want a great room, and are evenly split on
whether they want it with an eating area or a formal dining area. If the builder could add 100 square feet, the Southern
buyer would want it in the family room. |
Written by Al Heavens
Copyright © 2003 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.