Add on or Sell? What is Most Cost Effective in Virginia?

Home owners in Virginia are dealing with the age old question that every home owner has faced at one point or another. Should I add onto my home or sell it? The answer to these questions is yes to both.

Why It’s The Right Time To Add On

During the current economic recession the construction industry has been one of the hardest hit industries. All types of construction are down compared to just a few years ago and with new projects scarce for contractors this means that more contractors will be willing to do projects well below what they would have bid just a few years ago.

Finding the right contractor takes time and every home owner should seek out as many bids as possible and take the time to review each contractor’s record with the Better Business Bureau before hiring anyone.

The best additions that any home owner can make to their home is expanding their kitchen, expanding or building new bathrooms and installing new energy efficient doors or windows. It’s also important to consider installing new energy efficient appliances during the construction process like an energy efficient water heater, dish washer and stove. These improvements will help to increase a home’s value.

Why It’s The Right Time To Sell

In spite of many economic reports that point to sluggish home sales across the country homes it’s a seller’s market in Virginia right now. Homes prices were up ten percent in Arlington and twelve percent in the district so all indicators point to it being the right time for home owners to sell.

Before a home owner decides to sell their home they should make small improvements that will help their home to sell quicker like cleaning up the landscaping and planting new flowers, repainting, replacing old out dated doors with newer doors and replacing old windows.

When an add on has been put on a house with out getting extension planning permission the house may not pass inspection and hold up escrow.

Great Investments For Your Virginia Home

Virginia is a beautiful state full of rich history, exciting attractions and a culture that can’t be found anywhere else in the United States. Many people decided to move to Virginia and buy homes in the state after visiting there and just like home owners in other states Virginia home owners are interested in the best investments that they can make in their homes to make them energy efficient and save them money every month.

Curb Appeal

Any home owner who has a home that is over thirty years old should first consider updating the landscape of their home because many studies have shown that by making simple landscaping changes to improve a home’s curb appeal a home owner can increase the value of their home and make it easier to sell.

Updating The Exterior

Home owners who own homes with older single pane windows that have been a part of the home since its construction should consider replacing those single pane windows with double glazed windows. Double Glazed windows have been proven to save a home owner between fifteen and thirty percent off thirty percent off their monthly electrical costs.

Older exterior and patio doors should also be replaced as well because older wooden doors are one of the chief causes of drafts, bugs and other pests entering a home during the year.

Kitchens And Bathrooms

Not every home owner can afford to make major renovations to their kitchens and bathrooms but they can make little renovations like sanding down and repainting cabinets, painting interior walls different colors and replacing outdated light fixtures with newer modern fixtures.

There are many repairs and renovations that a home owner can make inside their home. Some of the easiest improvements like replacing flooring in a room can be made for under $100.00 and will provide an immediate return on investment for the home owner that will last for years to come.