If you have been considering a home renovation, now might be the perfect time from a financial standpoint–but does it make sense for your current situation as a homeowner? With any kind of home-related decision there are multiple factors to consider. But if you’ve already made your pros and cons list and are still on the fence, here are some telltale signs it’s time to renovate your home.
1. You’re increasingly attracted to a greener, simpler lifestyle
People are pursuing lifestyles and living spaces that put emphasis on using space efficiently, decreasing waste, and relying on cleaner, more economical energy. If you’re looking to live more sustainably and reduce waste, it might be time to renovate.
Renovating itself is the greener option as compared to building, as it uses existing structures. But if you’re renovating with the purpose of creating a more sustainable lifestyle, you may also want to make changes like switching to high-efficiency insulation, solar technology, and updating plumbing and toilets to save water.
2. Your kids are thriving, but you’re less-than-comfortable
Your children are doing wonderfully at school and feel attached to their neighborhood friends, but your home is not quite meeting all your family’s needs.
Sound familiar? If it does, and you anticipate living in your home at least another four to five years, it might be time to renovate. A typical home renovation to accommodate growing kids, changing interests or family size often involves a home addition, which costs about $40,900 on average. This is an investment in everyone’s comfort and your kids’ best interests, but will also likely bring some returns when you do finally sell your home.
3. You’re settling in for retirement
If you feel genuinely settled, and generally happy with your home’s location, but anticipate needing different home amenities as you age, and your family situation changes, it might be time to consider a renovation.
There are many reasons why renovating can make sense for those that are retired or expect to retire soon. Common issues to address with these renovations involve creating space for loved ones to stay for extended visits, or re-configuring based on needs or wants you may have as you age, such as bedrooms on the bottom story, creating an in-home gym or hobby area to stay fit or indulge in additional free time. You may want to create efficiencies for yourself by making your home “smart,” so you can control lights, televisions, and security systems from a central location.
4. The projects are endless, and you can’t seem to keep up
If it’s starting to feel like your home is a sinking ship, and every weekend picking away at projects, constantly cleaning the same areas, or just trying to keep up with things breaking or not working, it might be time to renovate.
Time catches up with everything and your home is no exception. If you live in a home long enough, your only two choices become moving or renovating. Even the sturdiest homes don’t last forever so if you’re
- seeing excessive dust (even though you clean regularly)
- embarrassed of your home’s dated aesthetic
- struggling to maintain major components of your home like plumbing and electrical
- discovering leaks or mold
…these are all signs it’s time to renovate your home. Dust can indicate that the materials your home is built with are breaking down (and/or that your HVAC system needs attention). And while some designs and materials are more timeless than others, colors, countertops, cabinets, and materials do go out of style. If you’re tired of fixing things piece by piece, consider hiring a homebuilder to help you identify what needs to be updated and make a plan for a larger scale remodel.
5. You’re not taking advantage of the space you have
Take stock of how you’re using your space. If you have a massive bedroom that you spend limited time in, why not use that space and expand the master bathroom for a more luxurious bathing space? Or perhaps you have a huge backyard that’s more or less empty–why not consider changes that will help you better enjoy that space?
6. You don’t have enough space
If, no matter how much you declutter, repurpose and rearrange your space you end up feeling like you have too much stuff, no where to get privacy, and no designated space for the things you truly want in your life like hobbies or pets, then a renovation might be an excellent decision. It might seem obvious, but people fall in love with their neighborhoods and certain features of their home, and resign themselves to living in spaces that are just too small.
So are you ready to renovate? If so, Hamilton Homes is happy to help! And if you’re looking for a bigger change in the form of a new home, we’ve got you covered there, too. Contact us today and we’ll get started!