Remodeling vs Moving

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

The original question here is akin to “how much does a car cost? I heard they are about $25,000.

It depends. Do you want a Mercedes, Hinda Civic, Ferarri ? The answer is, it’s somewhere between $20K and $300K.

Same goes for a house. You could spend between $30k to $300K for a remodel, depending on how extensive it is.

e.g.
1. Paint, carpet, appliances ~ 10-30 K
2. New windows, re-stucco ?
3. New roof? TIle, composit, flat, or blue tarps ?
4. Bathrooms ? COmplete re-do, replace vanity ? replace tub?, new shower ? new toilets ?
5. FLooring. 100% hardwood replacement ? Carpet ? linoleum ? dirt ?
6. Kitchen : resurface cabinets ? new cabinets ? reconfigure ? Combine area with dining room ?

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

That being said, we once bought a less than 900 square foot house (circa 2000) in an area we liked because it was where we wanted (locaiton), the price was right and there really weren;t any turn key properties that didn;t need some work (older, established area with a view).

Within a year we added about 1000 square feet (we kept the old living room and a couple bedrooms) with completely new kitchen and baths, etc.

We lived in it for about half the renovation (until both the kitchen and only bathroom were knocked out of commission).
Although it took twice as long and cost about 50% more than we originally planned, for us it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Unfortunately (from an emotional perspective) or fortunately (from a financial perspective) we sold this property in 2005.

Our current house was essentially a turn-key purchase. We weren’t necessarily looking for something that didn’t need some work, we just stumbled into it in the area we were looking.

So, my suggestion is find the place you want (location) and be flexible on whether you get something turn-key or something that needs work.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

That being said, we once bought a less than 900 square foot house (circa 2000) in an area we liked because it was where we wanted (locaiton), the price was right and there really weren;t any turn key properties that didn;t need some work (older, established area with a view).

Within a year we added about 1000 square feet (we kept the old living room and a couple bedrooms) with completely new kitchen and baths, etc.

We lived in it for about half the renovation (until both the kitchen and only bathroom were knocked out of commission).
Although it took twice as long and cost about 50% more than we originally planned, for us it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Unfortunately (from an emotional perspective) or fortunately (from a financial perspective) we sold this property in 2005.

Our current house was essentially a turn-key purchase. We weren’t necessarily looking for something that didn’t need some work, we just stumbled into it in the area we were looking.

So, my suggestion is find the place you want (location) and be flexible on whether you get something turn-key or something that needs work.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

That being said, we once bought a less than 900 square foot house (circa 2000) in an area we liked because it was where we wanted (locaiton), the price was right and there really weren;t any turn key properties that didn;t need some work (older, established area with a view).

Within a year we added about 1000 square feet (we kept the old living room and a couple bedrooms) with completely new kitchen and baths, etc.

We lived in it for about half the renovation (until both the kitchen and only bathroom were knocked out of commission).
Although it took twice as long and cost about 50% more than we originally planned, for us it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Unfortunately (from an emotional perspective) or fortunately (from a financial perspective) we sold this property in 2005.

Our current house was essentially a turn-key purchase. We weren’t necessarily looking for something that didn’t need some work, we just stumbled into it in the area we were looking.

So, my suggestion is find the place you want (location) and be flexible on whether you get something turn-key or something that needs work.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

That being said, we once bought a less than 900 square foot house (circa 2000) in an area we liked because it was where we wanted (locaiton), the price was right and there really weren;t any turn key properties that didn;t need some work (older, established area with a view).

Within a year we added about 1000 square feet (we kept the old living room and a couple bedrooms) with completely new kitchen and baths, etc.

We lived in it for about half the renovation (until both the kitchen and only bathroom were knocked out of commission).
Although it took twice as long and cost about 50% more than we originally planned, for us it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Unfortunately (from an emotional perspective) or fortunately (from a financial perspective) we sold this property in 2005.

Our current house was essentially a turn-key purchase. We weren’t necessarily looking for something that didn’t need some work, we just stumbled into it in the area we were looking.

So, my suggestion is find the place you want (location) and be flexible on whether you get something turn-key or something that needs work.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

That being said, we once bought a less than 900 square foot house (circa 2000) in an area we liked because it was where we wanted (locaiton), the price was right and there really weren;t any turn key properties that didn;t need some work (older, established area with a view).

Within a year we added about 1000 square feet (we kept the old living room and a couple bedrooms) with completely new kitchen and baths, etc.

We lived in it for about half the renovation (until both the kitchen and only bathroom were knocked out of commission).
Although it took twice as long and cost about 50% more than we originally planned, for us it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Unfortunately (from an emotional perspective) or fortunately (from a financial perspective) we sold this property in 2005.

Our current house was essentially a turn-key purchase. We weren’t necessarily looking for something that didn’t need some work, we just stumbled into it in the area we were looking.

So, my suggestion is find the place you want (location) and be flexible on whether you get something turn-key or something that needs work.

[CBad]

Like everyone is already saying, the price totally depends on what you want to do. I’d write down in as much detail as you can what you want and get a few people out to give you an estimate so you have some idea on price.

As far as which is more stressful….they are both stressful. We are going through this decision ourselves except ours isn’t remodel or move; it’s add on or move. For me I think finding a house that we want, selling, buying, remodeling (I don’t think there’s any way we’d find a house that meets our criteria that is turn-key), and moving out/in seems more challenging so I’m really leaning towards adding on. We’ve remodeled the whole house in stages while living in it so I know what to expect there. We’re planning on living here during the addition construction, just moving into the areas of the house that are not being worked on. If the entire house was being remodeled all at once I’d probably want to find a place to rent for a couple of months.

[CBad]

Like everyone is already saying, the price totally depends on what you want to do. I’d write down in as much detail as you can what you want and get a few people out to give you an estimate so you have some idea on price.

As far as which is more stressful….they are both stressful. We are going through this decision ourselves except ours isn’t remodel or move; it’s add on or move. For me I think finding a house that we want, selling, buying, remodeling (I don’t think there’s any way we’d find a house that meets our criteria that is turn-key), and moving out/in seems more challenging so I’m really leaning towards adding on. We’ve remodeled the whole house in stages while living in it so I know what to expect there. We’re planning on living here during the addition construction, just moving into the areas of the house that are not being worked on. If the entire house was being remodeled all at once I’d probably want to find a place to rent for a couple of months.

[CBad]

Like everyone is already saying, the price totally depends on what you want to do. I’d write down in as much detail as you can what you want and get a few people out to give you an estimate so you have some idea on price.

As far as which is more stressful….they are both stressful. We are going through this decision ourselves except ours isn’t remodel or move; it’s add on or move. For me I think finding a house that we want, selling, buying, remodeling (I don’t think there’s any way we’d find a house that meets our criteria that is turn-key), and moving out/in seems more challenging so I’m really leaning towards adding on. We’ve remodeled the whole house in stages while living in it so I know what to expect there. We’re planning on living here during the addition construction, just moving into the areas of the house that are not being worked on. If the entire house was being remodeled all at once I’d probably want to find a place to rent for a couple of months.

[CBad]

Like everyone is already saying, the price totally depends on what you want to do. I’d write down in as much detail as you can what you want and get a few people out to give you an estimate so you have some idea on price.

As far as which is more stressful….they are both stressful. We are going through this decision ourselves except ours isn’t remodel or move; it’s add on or move. For me I think finding a house that we want, selling, buying, remodeling (I don’t think there’s any way we’d find a house that meets our criteria that is turn-key), and moving out/in seems more challenging so I’m really leaning towards adding on. We’ve remodeled the whole house in stages while living in it so I know what to expect there. We’re planning on living here during the addition construction, just moving into the areas of the house that are not being worked on. If the entire house was being remodeled all at once I’d probably want to find a place to rent for a couple of months.

[CBad]

Like everyone is already saying, the price totally depends on what you want to do. I’d write down in as much detail as you can what you want and get a few people out to give you an estimate so you have some idea on price.

As far as which is more stressful….they are both stressful. We are going through this decision ourselves except ours isn’t remodel or move; it’s add on or move. For me I think finding a house that we want, selling, buying, remodeling (I don’t think there’s any way we’d find a house that meets our criteria that is turn-key), and moving out/in seems more challenging so I’m really leaning towards adding on. We’ve remodeled the whole house in stages while living in it so I know what to expect there. We’re planning on living here during the addition construction, just moving into the areas of the house that are not being worked on. If the entire house was being remodeled all at once I’d probably want to find a place to rent for a couple of months.

[NotCranky]

If you buy someone else’s remodel, which can be a great idea, go over it very carefully. Lot’s people do work worse than flippers, even on their own houses. All looks no substance.

Maybe you can ask the seller for proof that they used licensed contractors and pulled permits. If you could get the bid and contracts to see how the work was scoped, even better.

If you do it yourself, you can be sure of quality.
This could matter more on houses that are older and could have more to hide.

[NotCranky]

If you buy someone else’s remodel, which can be a great idea, go over it very carefully. Lot’s people do work worse than flippers, even on their own houses. All looks no substance.

Maybe you can ask the seller for proof that they used licensed contractors and pulled permits. If you could get the bid and contracts to see how the work was scoped, even better.

If you do it yourself, you can be sure of quality.
This could matter more on houses that are older and could have more to hide.

[NotCranky]

If you buy someone else’s remodel, which can be a great idea, go over it very carefully. Lot’s people do work worse than flippers, even on their own houses. All looks no substance.

Maybe you can ask the seller for proof that they used licensed contractors and pulled permits. If you could get the bid and contracts to see how the work was scoped, even better.

If you do it yourself, you can be sure of quality.
This could matter more on houses that are older and could have more to hide.

[NotCranky]

If you buy someone else’s remodel, which can be a great idea, go over it very carefully. Lot’s people do work worse than flippers, even on their own houses. All looks no substance.

Maybe you can ask the seller for proof that they used licensed contractors and pulled permits. If you could get the bid and contracts to see how the work was scoped, even better.

If you do it yourself, you can be sure of quality.
This could matter more on houses that are older and could have more to hide.

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