After some time spent living in the same house, it’s only natural that you’ll be longing for a change. Still, the changes you’re so eager to make do not have to be as drastic as selling your home. You might be attached to your abode for many reasons, emotional or practical, and selling it really wouldn’t be an option you would want to consider. So why not renovate instead? You’ll be getting a completely new and refreshed look without having to give up your place of comfort. If your answer to the following questions is yes, you should definitely stay put and start looking at some renovation ideas.
Are you emotionally attached to your home?
Memories that bind you to a place are not easily left behind. If you’re living in a home which has been passed on through generations within your family and finally made its way to you, it definitely has great emotional as well historical value and is a classic worth the renovation. Despite the fact that nowadays you have modern smart homes following the latest architectural trends, the aesthetics of those quaint mansion-like houses still manage to dazzle with that cultural, artistic and historical glow. It’s no wonder you’re not ready to pass it down to a complete stranger, and you’re probably daydreaming about your children’s’ families being as happy there as you are now, thus continuing the family legacy.
Is your neighborhood something that you’re not ready to give up?
The neighborhood in which your home is situated plays a crucial role when it comes to major decisions such as whether to move or not. There are many things you won’t be ready to give up, since it is no mean feat to find an area which will suit most of your needs. If you’re not willing to leave, you undoubtedly have good reasons for it. A great neighborhood means that there are people you’re not ready to say goodbye to, nearby parks you feel comfortable letting your children play at, good connections, low crime rates. Perhaps you can’t live without the charming street lighting or that familiar café where everyone knows your name and how you take your coffee. All the more reason to alter your existing home and stay where you feel most content.
Is there room for improvement in your current residence?
There’s much you can do with the space you have available. You can alter its functions and even add more room to it. Renovations allow you to make the changes within a familiar space. This means you’ll know exactly how they’ll fit in and function in order to suit your needs and desires. Buying a new home for new features you need might mean you’ll get just some of them, but not all. Furthermore, it makes finding a new residence more difficult and chances are you’ll have to invest in renovating that one as well. While giving your existing home a little facelift, you can pace yourself and carefully plan the design that will work best for you.
Do the changes fit your budget?
Take great care when planning your budget. Being aware of the fact that you don’t have to remodel everything at once, and that the cost is significantly smaller than buying a new home, does not mean you should disregard the expenses in the long run. The good news is that this way you can remodel one room at a time, which means that you can adjust the changes according to your cash flow. And since you’re not in a hurry, you can explore various ways which will save you money and still give you a great end result.
Is that personal touch important to you?
Time spent in your home allows you to know exactly what you’d like to change and how. Actually, it’s the perfect combination – staying in the house you love so much while adding perks that will turn it into your dream home. You will just be adding personal touches to your residence instead of trying to transform a new one into something close to your heart. Try adding an en-suite bathroom to your bedroom or a walk-in closet for that matter. Extend your kitchen or create a family room. Don’t forget about the attic and basement space. Not only will you get the extra room by renovating it, but you can also finally have that entertainment area you’ve always dreamed about.
Now, we know that the whole point of remodeling is that you don’t have to move to a new home, but let’s not forget that the whole redesigning process adds to the home’s selling price. You might have the wish to pass it on to many generations to come, but just in case any of them wishes to sell it, you’ll be giving them much more than just an old house. They’ll be getting a traditional home with all the advantages fit for a modern lifestyle.
About the Author
Bethany Seton is a real estate agent from Melbourne. For the last two years, she decided to leave her office job and follow her passion for writing and traveling. Currently, she travels with her laptop and writes for various blogs, hoping one day she will gather all the experience she gets in one book.