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