So I just received a decent tax return and a bonus at work. I have been debating between remodeling all three bathrooms plus the laundry room or doing a kitchen remodel. I think the kitchen remodel may be out of the budget right now but I am waiting on the work estimate. The bathroom remodel will get the most done for the least amount of money. But I also am aware that kitchens are one of the biggest selling features in a home. I am not looking to sell anytime soon because housing prices in my neighborhood are flat. Meaning the going price is at or around what I paid. I am hoping to sell in 3 years or so. The house was a short sale that I got $207k under what the previous owner paid. There are not many upgrades, so all the cabinetry is from 1995.

Also, the neighbor on my right is an ass that does not take care of his yard. I think his elderly parents live there and never see the light of day. He only comes over every other week to do the bare minimum on his yard. I wish his parents would just die and he would sell the house to a younger couple like us I know that's bad, but whatever.

That said, what would you do? Which project if any, would you go for?

I would have posted in the home and garden forum but lets face it, that place is a ghostown.

 

Have the values come back in your area yet?

 

No. They are essentially flat. Some up and some down but generally steady.

 

Put as little money into a temporary home as you can is what I've always heard.

I've also heard it's better to have the worst house in a nice neighborhood than the best house in a crappy neighborhood.

Also, when selling a home upgrades usually help you get a buyer but not more money over another home.

 

[QUOTE=OverBooster,Mar 23 2010, 04:08 PM] No.

 

Hmmmm, that is some excellent advice.

 

Some more very good advice.

 

There are low cost ways to do almost any reno project.

Most often the better return on your reno project is by spending as little as possible, and spending it smartly. With the kitchen cabinets being from 1995, they still might be useable.

Questions:

1) What are the cabinet doors made of? Is a refinish or paint possible? You might be able to remove them and bring them to a shop to be redone if they are solid wood, or are paintable. If you go with painting them, they'll look much better professionally sprayed. Which brings me to question number 2...

2) Are the cabinets themselves in good shape? If so, and the configuration of them works, no need to replace them! A warped shelf or worn interior surface is not, in itself, a reason to gut the room.

3) What are the counter tops like? Simply replacing the counter, tiling a backsplash, and replacing pulls and hardware on your cabinets and totally change the look and feel of a kitchen - at minimal cost.

4) Are you capable of sourcing products yourself? If so, you might be able to get a couple bathrooms done for the cost that a contractor will charge for 1.

Places like costco and even specialty stores, often have complete vanities (minus plumbing/faucets) for excellent prices if you're a little flexible on the look, or whether you pick up a floor model.

If you can be your own general contractor and don't mind a little work yourself, you can likely bring in one person to deal with tiling, another person for plumbing (or do it yourself, if it's not complex) and also deal with painting or wall covering yourself.

Not to pry, but what are your thoughts on budget?

 

I think you are are dead on correct. Based on what you said, we are going to look at either painting the cabinets or sanding/re-finishing them ourselves. We would replace all the hinges and add some hardware saving us thousands. Wonderful idea, thanks!!

 

Best of luck with the upgrades! If they don't give you the added value you might be hoping for, then at least they'll (hopefully) make it a more enjoyable home to live in.