Move or Remodel: How to Get the Home of Your Dreams
Whether to move or remodel is a question of cost and convenience.
If you and your family have outgrown or tired of your current home, you're probably ready either to sell your home and trade up or to jump into a major home remodeling project. But the question is which option makes the most financial sense for you - moving or remodeling?
Calculate the costs of moving
The chief advantage of moving is that you'll be able to see your fully finished new home, rather than only drawings, before you make a commitment. Yet moving can be disruptive and it's not without a myriad of costs.
In addition to the purchase price of your new home, transaction costs involved with moving could include real estate agent commissions, mortgage origination fees and home inspections. In addition, your monthly mortgage payments, homeowner's insurance and property taxes could be more expensive after you move.
If you sell your current home first, you may also need to obtain temporary housing until you've purchased your new home. Depending on where you live and how long before you can move into your new home, temporary housing could get expensive. Or, if you buy your new home first, you may have to make two mortgage payments each month until your current home is sold. You might also need to hire contractors to make necessary repairs to ready your current home for sale or your new home for occupancy.
Other costs include hiring a moving company or renting a moving van, and making deposits to set up new accounts with local utility companies.
Consider inconvenience of remodeling
The chief advantage of remodeling, on the other hand, is the opportunity to design your own home and choose the features and amenities you want as your home is being transformed. Yet remodeling can be costly and disruptive in its own way.
In addition to the costs of the remodeling project and the potential cost overruns, you'll also need to pay for architect or design services, building permits, and new fixtures, appliances or furnishings for your remodeled home. You may also be facing a second home loan payment each month and potentially higher property taxes.
If you move out of your home during construction, you may need to pay for temporary housing. Or, if you decide to remain at home, you'll probably incur some additional living expenses such as takeout meals or professional cleaning services.
Personal preferences are important too
Whether to move or remodel depends not only on the costs, but also on how much inconvenience you're willing to tolerate and how you feel about the two options.
If you're enthusiastic about finding, buying and moving into a new home, moving may be the right choice for you. But if you're emotionally attached to your home, you may prefer to remain in place and remodel. Either way, you'll be that much closer to the home of your dreams.
