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8
Should You Move or Improve?
Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right decision. Moving has gotten harder. With median housing prices down 25% since their peak in 2006, some 15 million homeowners—almost one in four—owe more on their mortgages than they could get from a buyer, according to Celia Chen, senior director of Moody's Economy.com. And even folks who bought before the big run-up and can afford to sell at today's lower prices still face steep odds trying to unload their homes with the glut of inventory on the market (36% more lawns wear For Sale signs now than a few years ago). There was an uptick in units sold in early 2009, leading some economists to predict that the market has begun to rebound, but selling a house is likely going to remain difficult for a while. Still, there can be an advantage to trading up now: If your house has curb appeal and a good kitchen—and you price it right—offers will come. You may not turn a big profit, but once you sell, you become a buyer in this buyer's market. That means you'll find what you're looking for and pay less for it than a few years ago. To analyze your trade-up options, check local listings to ballpark the price you could realistically get for your home and what you'd have to pay for the next place. Then contact a bank to see if, based on those figures and your financial situation, you're likely to qualify for the new mortgage. Or do your research online: Investigate home values at online real estate sites and how much of a mortgage you'd qualify for. Improving has gotten easier. The economic slump has actually made renovating the home you already own a bit easier. The construction-industry slowdown has lowered the cost of some building materials: Plywood is down 46%, for example, framing lumber is down 42%, and drywall is down 25%. Many contractors are also charging less for labor, to compete for the smaller pool of available jobs. What's more, you won't have to wait months for a contractor to show up—chances are he'll be able to start in a matter of days. Of course, you'll still need to come up with cash to pay for the project. And the news is good there, too: As a general rule, improving costs less than trading up. Figure somewhere between $100 and $200 per square foot for new construction or a major remodel, depending on the scope of the project and labor costs in your area. Now more than ever, though, you need to make sure that you invest your money wisely. In other words, will your $75,000 kitchen remodel increase your home value by $75,000—or by anything close? To assess what's right for your particular house, let your neighborhood be your guide. If there's any chance that you'll move within the next 10 years (and in this economy, who can be sure?) keep your improvements in line with those of other houses on your block, or you risk losing the money when you sell. The most important considerations haven't changed. Your house isn't just your largest investment; of course, it's also the place where your family lives. Financial considerations aside, the question of whether to move or improve should be decided by the things you cannot change about your current home: the school district, the amount of traffic on your street, the size and layout of your yard, your commute, the ease of access to markets and malls, and your neighborhood quality of life. If you love the spot, improving makes sense. But if a different location would be an improvement in its own right, then trading up could be the way to go. Keep checking RuhlHomes.com for the most up to date information on the real estate market. Provided By: HouseLogic.com
