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Home appraisals and additions/remodels values

2K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  DMIHOMECENTER 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
My wife and i purchased a spec house back in 06 as our first starter home. Very nicely trimmed for our budget at the time but nothing spectacular. well as things have it i'm getting the itch to remodel the kitchen and baths with all new cabinets, counter tops, floors and appliances. after watching to many diy network shows where couple spend 20k on a makeover and add 35k of value to a 250k house i talked to a real estate friend of mine about this whole situation and what i could look to recoup. what he told was shocking to me. long story short he said dropping 20k on a kitchen potentially may not and any value to my house. he said the resale value of the home is based on what other homes in the same area of the same have sold for. This ticked me of quite a bit considering i have dropped over 40k on my shop, fencing and landscaping anticipating to see at least some return on my investment. can anyone shed some light on this? first hand experience possibly?
 
#2 ·
we've always done remodels and upgrades with our comfort and pleasure in mind, with no eye to any monetary gain.
Your friend is correct to a point. If the homes in your area are larger and more expensive than yours, you are in good shape and can upgrade with some confidence of a modest return.
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
The appraised value of a house is BASED on appraised value of similar, nearby properties; true.

Some things don't always add value to a house; a swiming pool, workshop are a couple that don't.

Some things usually DO add value to a house; kitchen and bathroom update are a couple that do.

The numbers I have seen indicate you should never spend more than 10% - 15% of house value on a kitchen remodel or update if you plan to recover your investment.

Your updates need to be in line with what other homes in the area have. For example, granite countertops will not add value if every house in the area has laminate.
 
#4 ·
As others have said, it varies a lot. My parents home is lakefront and way better then any of the surrounding neighbors who are all just far away enough to not overly effect the value. Someone with money will pay lots more for the nicest looking house with the best upgrades on lakefront. For my house in the city, some minor upgrades are all that is needed to see to it that my house will continue to be one of the most valuable on the street. Even tearing down the house and building all new one would probably only get me 90k instead of 80k since mine is already at the top of what is a low value marketplace.
 
#5 ·
Having been a Realtor,a contractor and investor of real estate , I feel that a lot of the old rules for adding value to our homes are no longer in effect given the present day market conditions so I'm afraid your friend is correct. Home prices in most areas have declined sharply and many have lost 50% of there value. I have always felt that a homes improvement should please the people who live in the home first and then look to the homes value, of course we all have to make improvements that make sense for our own economic situation.
 
#6 ·
The realtor is looking out for you. Maybe even doing you a favor. Investing into what is generally considered a declining housing market may be tricky at best. You would no doubt improve the marketability of the home. You would no doubt get enjoyment out of it. However, improving the bottom line or returning a significant amount on your investment may or may not happen. The value of your home is in comparable sales as stated above. But moreover, the value would be defined as what someone will payfor it. If you were looking to buy a new home. Had a choice between two identical homes, except a more updated kichen or bath in one, would you be prepared to pay full retail, as a buyer for the updated one? Probably updated with choices you didnt or would not have made. It can be tough. At this point any dollar I invest in my home is a dollar out the window. All markets vary. That is where trusted realtors come in.
 
#7 ·
A1Jim is EXACTLY right. I rarely hear the word resale any more, yet remodeling is quite active. My customers are primarily making decisions for THEMSELVES, but with a nod to not making a MISTAKE for later resale.

A good example: two very recent customers would have preferred to get rid of all the tubs in the house, but rightly were afraid it would be a detractor (big negative… maybe even a show stopper). In both, a second full bath is now an Americast tub with a full tile hop-up with niche and double curve liner/curtain rod. Both the Masters are now tub-less, but you should see the door-less walk-in showers with all the bells and whistles (shelved niche, bench, rainhead and big gooseneck, handheld with diverter, body spray, separate temp mix and pressure, listello and decos, etc.)

These days, the appraisal might not reflect the true market value for your home (that will NOT be determined until somebody pays you for your house), three things to keep in mind:

If you let your house run down or even just get "dated", then its sale price WILL BE LESS (if it sells at all). Even if you take care of it immaculately, the fake butcher block laminate, the stove with the mechanical push buttons, analog clock and coil burners will be viewed by the potential owners as negatives that they will have to replace immediately (not to mention the black hammered iron hardware and red velvet Spanish theme you got going on in 1973). Elvis is dead and Graceland is a dump, okay ?

There is much to be said for quality of life (value added) in what you do to your home FOR YOU while you live there. If you don't get a pool or a shop or new kitchen just because of the return percentage, then all the years of enjoyment to your life from those things will not be. How do you price that ?

The upgrades or updates may just be what sells your house at all. Kitchen and bathrooms sell houses, but just let the garage and the painting and flooring go to hell ! Then all the granite and stainless appliances in the world won't get you top dollar. It ALL has to be at least acceptable, THEN the right upgrades make it an attractive package (both to live in AND to sell someday).

Okay…I'm done. ;=)
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Any experienced investment pro will tell you that a home should be treated as an expense. Homes don't satisfy any of the normal criteria for a good investment - liquidity, diversification, security of principal. If you want to invest in Real Estate buy a REIT fund or ETF.

As far as upgrades, the odds that the tastes of prospective buyers will be the same as yours are not that great. There is a good chance that they will look at your kitchen and say that they hate it and will have to remodel before moving in. When I bought my current home I ended up with a beat up place because none of the nice homes available suited my tastes, so why buy something nice for more money and then have to rip out the guts? It didn't make sense.

It's just a matter of chance on how it will go down.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
ALL the old rules and theories no longer apply to real estate investing as a money making endeavor. Been there done that! I have bought and sold or flipped 5 houses and got out of it in 2003 bought a house in 2005 for 200K put 60K into it and right now it has a value of under 60K. It turns out the house is 550 square feet less than was reported in the original appraisal I spoke to 2 lawyers even had a case going on for 7 months and the bottom line is both said "Your Screwed" luckily I love where I am and love the house I have. I am 60 feet from the water and enjoy seeing dolphins and manatees travel up and down the river to the Gulf of Mexico I can Kayak right from my back yard. I guess we will pass it onto our kids to enjoy as a vacation home or for rental income.
Lissajous hit the nail on the head a home is a home and not an investment to make money on. If your investing buy a house your not going to live in and sell it high or rent it or both.

I like REIT's A LOT! In fact I LOVE, LOVE LOVE them I am long on two and roll the dividends back in. I have been holding them for 2 years now and enjoy a 18% return year over year so if you want to invest in real estate buy a REIT but do your home work and know how they work. A word of caution when interest rates go up they can loose value fast, there is a rumor going around about a nation wide refinance program, this could hurt all REIT's that do gov't backed mortgages so you may want to look into other types.
 
#10 ·
landog - I think the point we were trying to make is don't buy a house just for the investment aspect. Right now in my area you can get a house that was 500K or 600K in 2006 for 150K put 20K or 30K into it and flip it for a 60 - 100K profit the only catch is you have to live in it for one year. In Oklahoma what was 150K in 2007 is now 220K so your right about that.
 
#11 ·
Only since 2007 has housing been a questionable investment, so the "experienced investment pro" doesn't have to be any older than 25 to pass on that "wisdom".

As for tastes not being the same, I guess that depends on locale, too. I can nail 80-90 percent of clients' wants very quickly and then filter that through through the "budget" and "custom design but tastefully neutral" filters to arrive at solutions that fit the job. Rarely does something get done that would be downright objectionable to a near-to-mid-future buyer.

Some things go and never some back (avacado and burnt orange appliances). I believe stainless will stay popular forever in commercial and high-end kitchens… and therefore never really go OUT of style for lesser ones.

Bright brass has been out. Antique brass will return before polished brass does. Locksets and door hinges aplenty for the dumpster in both of the brasses. Brushed nickel, brushed stainless, pewter and the bronzes (oil-rubbed and venetian) will be with us for awhile in lighting and hardware. Matte black hardware and black as an accent color are really strong (and don't get old and boring because they aren't a color. They all co-exist pretty well. All my interior doors are ordered with dull chrome hinges to get away from the brass.

Copper has long been a niche finish and style that if tastefully done has and will pass the test of time. It's like claw foot tubs… they can be placed and fitted for a forever cool look… or they can look like some funky afterthought.

Maybe your builders suck where you live. ;=)
 
#12 ·
A remodel that gets you the most ROI is usually not a remodel that you want to live with. It is usually "lipstick and mascara". Its basically filling your house with the cheapest things that look expensive, not upgrading any wiring/plumbing/insulation/venting/structural support and hoping nobody notices.
On top of this, let's say you want to do the reno now, but don't expect to sell for 10yrs, then whatever you install today is gonna be a bit worn and feel dated by then and you won't get top dollar anymore.

Don't get too excited over the DIY shows out there. They usually start with properties that really need that renovation so of course when the reno is done and the appraisal is done they can realize the full value of the updates. When you reno an already "nice" property you have to remember that you've already paid for the previous owners/builder's updates so you will only be able to realize the difference between their apparent values (regardless of how much you replace). For instance if you have what looks like a $15k kitchen, then you completely gut it and install what looks like a $25k kitchen, then your valuation only increases $10k. If you managed to spend only $10k to get the $25k look then you still only break even.

Like Lissajous said, treat your home as an expense. Do the renos that will make you happy while avoiding resale faux pas'. Don't overextend yourself to get that dream kitchen because you think you'll make that money back. If however you assume it to be a complete loss, then you could take the cost of the reno and divide it by how many months you plan to stay there and that would be how much "rent" you're paying to have a nice kitchen. If you're happy with that number, then whatever happens you won't regret your kitchen (unless you sell earlier than expected).
As an expense, the projects I do on my house tend to be for minimizing expenses and maintenance rather than for value creation. For instance, I'll be installing those gutter liners that keep leaves out. I probably won't see a dime added to my appraisal but eliminating the need to clean gutters and minimizing water damage caused by malfunctioning gutters will pay for itself.

When you decide that you want to sell, that's when you switch from 'expense' mode to 'flip' mode. Here is where you pull out all the lipstick and mascara to pretty up your place without actually spending much money. New paint, resurfacing cabinets, regrout the tiles, etc. If you can't see it don't pay for it and don't replace anything (unless contractually obligated to). In a true flip you might have to replace a lot, but if you've been treating your home as an expense up to this point, nothing should need replacing now.
 
#13 ·
landog, When I was typing both your post and sandhill's were not there, so it isn't as obvious that I was responding to the lissajous post before those, especially:

Any experienced investment pro will tell you that a home should be treated as an expense. Homes don't satisfy any of the normal criteria for a good investment - liquidity, diversification, security of principal. If you want to invest in Real Estate buy a REIT fund or ETF.

As far as upgrades, the odds that the tastes of prospective buyers will be the same as yours are not that great. There is a good chance that they will look at your kitchen and say that they hate it and will have to remodel before moving in. When I bought my current home I ended up with a beat up place because none of the nice homes available suited my tastes, so why buy something nice for more money and then have to rip out the guts? It didn't make sense.

It's just a matter of chance on how it will go down.
 
#15 ·
i appreciate the insight fellas. the area i live in really hasn't been affected by the country's housing crisis. actually the house i paid 165 for in 06 appraised for 205 here recently, god bless the oilfield. the remodel will be done solely with our comfot and enjoyment in mind. i was just curios to see how it would affect the value of my home.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
When I move out of my house, if it is when I retire, the current kitchen is coming out and going to our new house, it is installed so that would not be that difficult to do. I am putting $5000 into the budget for an IKEA set of counters and cabinets - just for that "new kitchen look."

I built my kitchen from scratch to my wife's requirements, everyday that goes by she tells me that these cabinets will be the temp cabinets while I make her a better set (new and improved) for the new house. Some things will stay, the plumbing that includes the foot pedals for one - but new will be installed in the new kitchen.

I have more upgrades than I will every get out of my house but as several realtors have said, "You won't get the price you want but it will sell real fast!" - and that is a good thing!!!!
 
#18 ·
landog Your right! As I said I have done it myself and still do when I come across a good investment, although not as many as there were in pre-2006). No one is making the money that was made before that in any part of the country.
dbray45 I know what you mean, I finished mine about 6 months ago and we love it and I would take it with me if I was going to move.
I moved here from Winchester VA. when I retired. All of our kids are between Staunton, VA. and Frederick MD. We are looking to buy a house somewhere in-between and becoming Snow Birds.
 
#19 ·
I think you can still flip houses almost anywhere. Home prices aren't fluctuating as much as before. My neighbor started doing it after losing her job. The key is to find those houses that look horribly out dated, but appears to have been maintained. You'll want it to be the one house on the block that isn't renovated. This is where a good agent can mean all the difference. Many prime short sales are only on the market for 2-3 days (you may still have to wait months for the deal to close). Some financial experts believe that the key to making money in a flip is the buying phase. Don't get frustrated with the process and overpay just so you can get in the game. Move on and have your agent find another house for you. One book I ready says you need to look at 100 properties before you put in your first offer.

There are certain issues that you will want to stay away from like: termites/excessive mold or asbestos/sloppy renos by previous owner. This is why you'll also want to have a good home inspector and a good contractor. Some houses I can tell are investment traps. The price is attractive, but you'll spend all the savings just getting the house in order.

As you can see, there are a lot of people involved in a flip and each will take their cut before you get yours. You really need to make sure your math works out before you dive in. There's also all kinds of ways to save money here too, but they all come with their own advantages/disadvantages. Like being your own selling agent may save you 2-3%, but you're network might not attract as many offers resulting in a lower selling price or a protracted sales cycle.
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
David -
Normally, I totally agree with you and IKEA would NOT be my first choice. In the area that I live, I have noticed that the houses that have new IKEA kitchens and bathrooms are pushed by the reale state folks more aggressively than others that have HD or Lowes cabinetry - because they like them, I guess. Had one one neighbor that did this and got 20 times the traffic than someone that didn't. When I showed my house with the current kitchen to an agent that had kept me abreast of the activity for years to ask her thoughts as I had with other versions of kitchens, she said it was great, really pretty, walked out and never heard from her again. Guess it wasn't her cup of tea. This makes a serious difference in the potential sale of the property. If the agents don't like the look or feel that it doesn't fit the area, they won't show it and you won't sell it.

Me, I like a house with a good foundation, a good roof, heat and A/C - the rest is mine. At this point, I will do the windows myself.
 
#21 ·
landog, no offense taken. I am just telling it like it is in Southwest Georgia to make a point that there are major differences in the housing economy AND what goes in the houses themselves.

dbray45, Ikea did not catch on here. The agents are not pushing it. And as a fan of all wood cabinetry AND as a home / kitchen / bath designer (and installer) I am glad. No offense to those that like or have them OR live in areas where they are accepted. My customers want to see raised panel doors, crown and light rail, usually doors with less than full overlay, dove tail joinery on the drawers, soft close full extension glides, roll out trays, multi-storage pantries and super susans.

2/3 of the homes I have built are Williamsburg… even small ones. Smaller ones are Suothern Living style plans or Plantation style. Very few ranch style or modern cubist looking stuff. Roof pitches tend to be 8:12 minimum even for one-story. Probably a higher percentage of greater than 8 foot ceilings than I have ever seen elsewhere. Most are 9 and/or 10 feet. Big crown. Large casing. It is different here than even other Southern cities… Memphis or B'ham or Atlanta. It is a local culture thing.

Almost all windows are 6 feet height. Vertical siding is non-existent. More than half of the houses are crawl space (lime sinks common). No basements (high water table). 95% of trim is white. I could go on and on and on, but you get the point.
 
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