So, you’re planning a renovation. Congratulations. But while you’re looking around for contractors and ideas, don’t forget about your neighbors, they’re the ones you’ll be competing with when it comes time to sell.
If a renovation will make yours the most expensive house in the community, you may not recoup your costs when you sell. You do not want to be the most expensive home in the neighborhood; you want to be the best choice.
Think about scoping out the neighborhood for ideas before beginning the work and talk about the kinds of changes happening in the area.
Are your neighbors making tasteful additions that expand their living space? Follow their lead and make your home better. And this goes for the landscape also. Trim shrubs, plan annuals and use a hard wood mulch when possible, it is the most natural, elegant and will make the landscape stand out.
It has been suggested that if you buy a poor house on a good street, you’re making a great investment. But if you buy a great house in a poor neighborhood, well, not so much.
Keep in mind what your neighbors are doing, do it a little better and enjoy your renovation.