Unfortunately, no matter how much you love your home, the time often comes where you have to choose between moving or remodeling. Perhaps your family has just outgrown your current home. Or your situation has changed so that you just need some upgrades. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone. Americans move an average of 11 times in their lifetime. But maybe moving isn’t the answer; perhaps it’s remodeling. Here are some factors to help you choose what’s right for you.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

• Emotional ties to the house
  Sometimes the best reasons aren’t always practical. If you or your family has emotional ties to your current house that you are hesitant to cut, this is a factor worth some credence.
• Location
  Consider your current house’s location. Is it in your ideal neighborhood or school district? Might be worth remodeling to preserve your location. Could a move put you closer to work or school or be in a location that’s more suited to your lifestyle? Consider location before you decide.

• Desired lifestyle
  Speaking of lifestyle, think about what lifestyle options each option could afford you and your family. Which is more in line with your desired lifestyle?
• Budget
  Knowing your budget can help you decide which option is better for your wallet. Do some research, find out how much you can sell your current home for and what a new home would cost. Then get some quotes on how much it would cost to remodel to your desired specifications.

• Remodel complication level
  Another factor to consider is how involved the remodel will need to be to meet your needs. Is this a simple addition, a bathroom or kitchen renovation? If it’s going to be a major undertaking to remodel to fit your needs, you might be better off finding a new home.
• 10-year plan
  Of course, you can’t predict the future, but if you intend to move out of your current home anytime in the next 10 years, it’s probably better to just move instead of investing time, money and energy into remodeling a house you’ll ultimately leave.

PROS AND CONS

Part of the reason we build custom homes is that we recognize not one exact layout or format is right for every family. Along those same lines, we know that choosing to move or remodel is ultimately your decision and what’s right for you and your family. Each choice carries both advantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to you to choose which one resonates more.

PROS FOR MOVING

Moving means you get to select a new location to call home, picking a building that is the perfect size for your current needs — whether that’s larger or smaller. You’ll also get to pick a new neighborhood and area to explore. Moving allows you to select what’s nearby, an option you don’t have with staying and remodeling your existing home.

Another perk of moving is that you don’t have to worry about ongoing construction in your home or scheduling contractors around your timeline. You’ll be able to purchase or build a home that’s move-in ready, free of the hassle of construction. 

CONS AGAINST MOVING 

That said, there’s no guarantee a new home will tick off all the boxes on your checklist. You might have to leave an area that you love. Moving can also be a pretty stressful event, as well as expensive. Purchasing a home isn’t always a cheaper option — no matter even if your mortgage is equal, you’ll still have to factor in real estate commissions, closing costs and moving expenses. 

PROS FOR REMODELING 

Remodeling allows you to create a plan for your home to meet your exact specifications, choosing how everything is created and finished. It will be designed exactly for your needs and wants. 

You may also be able to use your home equity to pay for a renovation to help you keep remodeling costs low. A home equity loan uses your home as collateral and borrow against its value to pay for the remodel costs. This option is often less costly and a lot more simply than acquiring a new mortgage. If you opt to use home renovation contractors, this may help the process go more quickly. It is best to get estimates from several remodeling contractors and understand their philosophy before making a decision. If you are in the greater Rochester, MN area, contact Stier Construction!

Remodeling also allows you to stay in a neighborhood you love, keeping your children in the same school district or maintaining a short commute if you have one. You won’t have to learn the quickest routes to the closest pharmacy or all the hassle that comes with changing addresses. 

CONS AGAINST REMODELING 

Remodeling does carry its own set of cons, however. For one, it can be a huge pain to deal with a construction zone in your own home for a period of time. Staying with family or in a hotel is also not an ideal option for many. 

Many, many remodels encounter surprise expenses, especially if it’s a larger-scale project or a remodel on an older home. You just never know what moving plumbing or switching electrical lines will uncover, so you’ll likely have expenses you won’t see coming during renovations. Plan for overages and unknowns.

Additionally, not all of the money spent on remodels can be recouped in your home’s value. There are several factors that go into determining value, of course, but this is definitely something to keep in mind when choosing a remodel. 

Summary:

In this post, we discussed the pros and cons of staying in your home to remodel or to move.

The six factors we covered that are important to consider with a potential move is:

1. Emotional ties to the house
2. Location
3. Desired lifestyle
4. Budget
5. Remodel complication level
6. 10-year plan

Pros for moving:

1. Find a house that meets your current needs
2. Pick a new neighborhood and area to explore
3. No construction necessary, it’s move in ready!

Cons of moving:

1. The home may not tick off all the boxes
2. Moving is a pain.
3. Factor in moving costs.

Pros of remodeling:

1. Have your home remodeled exactly for your liking
2. Stay in the neighborhood you love
3. Keep your kids in the same school

Cons of remodeling

1. It is not easy when your home becomes a construction zone
2. Many remodeling project can face unexpected expenses
3. A remodel may not pay off in the end (adding the exact value to a home)