Common Issues When Buying a Home to Remodel

Remodeling a home starts with a dream. Aof remodeling and raising the home value, be sure
gourmet kitchen! Skylights! A gigantic walk-into investigate the zoning restrictions and
closet! But, the dream may turn into a nightmareenvironmental regulations. Many older homes
if you don't plan ahead. Buying a home willcome with zoning restrictions, including
arguably become your most important financialpre-determined setbacks from property lines,
investment, as well as a major emotionallimits on roof height, etc. If the home is on a
investment. And, remodeling that home can makemunicipal historic register, regulations will likely be
it better suited to your lifestyle and increase theeven more stringent in order to preserve the
house value. However, the remodeling processhouse's historic character. If the home you are
can seem overwhelming at times. If you're buyingbuying is in an environmentally sensitive
a home that you plan to remodel, here are somearea-adjacent to wetlands or protected open
issues to consider.space, for example-or contains a significant natural
It's always important to make homeresource, additional regulations may limit your
improvements to satisfy your needs and desires,remodel plans. Such regulations can impede on
not just to raise the house value. After all, you'rehouse size, paving, grading soil, cutting down trees
the one who will be living in the home andand removing native plants.
enjoying the improvements. However, if you'reYour attorney can help you determine zoning and
making improvements in order to increase theenvironmental regulations and determine if you
resale value of the house, be careful not tohave the correct permits to begin any home
overdo it. It is possible to add too much houseimprovement project. In most parts of the world,
value in relation to the other homes in your area,a legal permit is required before you make
and can be difficult to recover thesestructural changes to your home. The building
improvement costs when you sell the home. Also,permit and associated inspections and approvals
some expensive choices, like particular fixtures orcan provide assurance that the remodeling project
flooring, may actually make your home moremeets local building codes and safety regulations.
difficult to sell. Talk with your ColdwellIf you live in a historic district this process may
BankerÂ(R) real estate professional aboutalso provide assurance that exterior changes to
your remodel plans before putting on your workyour home are in keeping with neighborhood
gloves.guidelines.
While the specifics of the home you are buyingLastly, before buying a home that requires a
will determine your remodel plans, certainremodel, be aware that some problems simply
improvement projects have historically providedcan't be fixed. Whether the desired improvement
high ROI's, or Return On Investments. Accordingis prohibited by local regulations, or can't be
to Remodeling Magazine, improving the quality ofundertaken with your budget or timeframe, it's
a kitchen-whether upgrading appliances, changingimportant to recognize the limitations of your
the layout, counters and cabinetry, or simplyhome's potential.
painting and swapping out drawer pulls-providesThe staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate
the highest ROI of any remodel project. Also,Corporation writes select articles about important
remodeling or adding a bathroom is a proven waytopics related to real estate. For more information
to increase house value.about buying a home or selling your current
Before you purchase a house with the intentionproperty, visit today.