Analyzing Your Space to Suit Your Needs
Article by | Alison Windham, Windham Construction, Sunspace Texas
Take a look around Bryan/College Station and there’s no denying our growing population and housing market. There are beautiful new homes, historical homes, and everything in between. This often poses questions for potential buyers and existing homeowners who may want a change. Do I remodel or buy something else?
While everyone’s needs are individualistic and unique to their life situations, there are some common threads to consider.
Where do you want to live, how you want to live and what kind of house will fulfill your lifestyle and preferences?
As a remodeler, the perspective I see most are the clients who are trying to decide whether to update and change their home, or possibly buy something else. It can be a struggle if their financial situation is an issue, they like their location or still find their home to have good bones and can’t justify a move.
There are also empty-nesters who are trying to figure out whether to downsize to a smaller house, or age in place and reconfigure certain features.
Here are some important things to consider in this process.
Space: Does your space work to maximum capacity? Looking at the floor plan, what changes could be made to maximize comfort and functionality. Would it be cost effective to reconfigure the space?
Many older homes are chopped up by walls and separate the rooms unnecessarily. Opening things up to an open floor plan is desirable to many. Some are even choosing to build additions allowing for flex space. A remodeler should be able to assess what you would like to do and be honest whether it’s cost productive and realistic.
Aesthetics: With so many websites/shows displaying wonderful décor, surfaces, and materials it becomes overwhelming and tantalizing at the same time. For the new home buyer those are already in place. But the remodeling candidate can also incorporate many of those elements as well. Cosmetic changes can make space feel completely different and fresh. Color changes, surface changes, and accessory changes can increase the longevity of satisfaction with a home as well as increase resale value.
Cost: What do you want to spend? A realtor can help with this by showing you new properties, fixer uppers, and appraising your existing home. Talking with a remodeler can also help you decide what cost parameters you are facing regarding your project. Remodeling costs can vary greatly. Cosmetic changes usually aren’t as costly as structural changes but every house and client tastes are different. Research is the key to a successful endeavor. Talking with reputable contractors, realtors and builders is vital for a good outcome. There are many decisions and financial factors to consider. Sometimes great results may be lying within your own walls, other times a new home venture will prove more satisfactory. If you are considering a change, don’t hesitate to call a professional to consult with. They are there to help and are skilled in helping you reach your goals.