| Remodeling a home starts with a dream. A | | | | to increase house value. |
| gourmet kitchen! Skylights! A gigantic walk-in | | | | Before you purchase a house with the intention |
| closet! But, the dream may turn into a nightmare | | | | of remodeling and raising the home value, be sure |
| if you don't plan ahead. Buying a home will | | | | to investigate the zoning restrictions and |
| arguably become your most important financial | | | | environmental regulations. Many older homes |
| investment, as well as a major emotional | | | | come with zoning restrictions, including |
| investment. And, remodeling that home can make | | | | pre-determined setbacks from property lines, |
| it better suited to your lifestyle and increase the | | | | limits on roof height, etc. If the home is on a |
| house value. However, the remodeling process | | | | municipal historic register, regulations will likely be |
| can seem overwhelming at times. If you're buying | | | | even more stringent in order to preserve the |
| a home that you plan to remodel, here are some | | | | house's historic character. If the home you are |
| issues to consider. | | | | buying is in an environmentally sensitive |
| It's always important to make home | | | | area-adjacent to wetlands or protected open |
| improvements to satisfy your needs and desires, | | | | space, for example-or contains a significant natural |
| not just to raise the house value. After all, you're | | | | resource, additional regulations may limit your |
| the one who will be living in the home and | | | | remodel plans. Such regulations can impede on |
| enjoying the improvements. However, if you're | | | | house size, paving, grading soil, cutting down trees |
| making improvements in order to increase the | | | | and removing native plants. |
| resale value of the house, be careful not to | | | | Your attorney can help you determine zoning and |
| overdo it. It is possible to add too much house | | | | environmental regulations and determine if you |
| value in relation to the other homes in your area, | | | | have the correct permits to begin any home |
| and can be difficult to recover these | | | | improvement project. In most parts of the world, |
| improvement costs when you sell the home. Also, | | | | a legal permit is required before you make |
| some expensive choices, like particular fixtures or | | | | structural changes to your home. The building |
| flooring, may actually make your home more | | | | permit and associated inspections and approvals |
| difficult to sell. Talk with your Coldwell Banker(R) | | | | can provide assurance that the remodeling project |
| real estate professional about your remodel plans | | | | meets local building codes and safety regulations. |
| before putting on your work gloves. | | | | If you live in a historic district this process may |
| While the specifics of the home you are buying | | | | also provide assurance that exterior changes to |
| will determine your remodel plans, certain | | | | your home are in keeping with neighborhood |
| improvement projects have historically provided | | | | guidelines. |
| high ROI's, or Return On Investments. According | | | | Lastly, before buying a home that requires a |
| to Remodeling Magazine, improving the quality of | | | | remodel, be aware that some problems simply |
| a kitchen-whether upgrading appliances, changing | | | | can't be fixed. Whether the desired improvement |
| the layout, counters and cabinetry, or simply | | | | is prohibited by local regulations, or can't be |
| painting and swapping out drawer pulls-provides | | | | undertaken with your budget or timeframe, it's |
| the highest ROI of any remodel project. Also, | | | | important to recognize the limitations of your |
| remodeling or adding a bathroom is a proven way | | | | home's potential. |