Most homeowners consider a remodeling project at one time or another. Sometimes it’s to enlarge space or to update bathrooms and kitchen; and sometimes projects are undertaken to increase the home’s value before putting it on the market.   But which remodeling projects actually add value to your home? Even if the motivation for the project is for your own personal needs or enjoyment, why not do it in a way that pays off when you sell your home?

After selling homes for 23-plus years in the Dix Hills, Melville, Huntington areas - through Good Markets and Slow Markets - I find that the old adage holds true:  Use Neutral Colors. If you love the newest color, use it as an accent or a removable piece (or wallpaper or paint) – rather than a permanent fixture. Mauve, turquoise, Harvest Gold – all had their “place in the sun” – and remained as bathroom fixtures and such long after their popularity vanished. Nothing makes a house look more “dated” than once trendy colors that are no longer in fashion.  

Before you start a remodeling project you should read the “Cost vs. Value Report” from Remodeling Online. Every year they publish a report that compares construction costs for common remodeling projects with the value that they add to the selling price of your home. CNN Money Online has a “renovation calculator” that is based on the report.  Certainly, buyers are attracted to updated homes – no matter what the market. Making sure that your home remodeling project adds value to your home is a smart move – whether you’re planning to sell or not.