Six Reasons to Remodel Instead of Move
If you own a home, sooner or later you’ll have a list of things you wish were different—and you might find yourself in the kind of debate HGTV has dubbed “Love It or List It”. But when your home isn’t quite working for you anymore, how do you decide whether to remodel and stay, or walk away and buy new?
Many homeowners choose to remodel, and here are some of the top reasons they do.
Reason one: location, location, location
Not surprisingly, this is one of the most common reasons people decide to remodel. When you love your neighborhood, your kids’ school, your friends down the block, and your local coffee shop, you’ve got some compelling reasons to invest in a remodel.
Sure, you could find a new home with the square footage you need, but you’d have to leave your community behind. That trade is not always worth it—especially if you can find a good design/build firm who can work magic with your existing home.
Reason two: that irreplaceable “something”
For many people, their home is special for reasons that could never be replicated. Maybe it’s been in the family for generations. Maybe it’s got unique architectural features, or an amazing view. When that’s the case, a design/build firm can help you reimagine your existing space without losing what’s special.
“In the end, when you remodel your home, you get what you want and how you want to navigate through the space.”
– White Crane Client & Howe Neighborhood Homeowner
Reason three: you get exactly what you want.
When you start house hunting, one thing becomes crystal clear, quickly: Every home is a mix of pros and cons. You might find a kitchen you love, but it won’t fit the stove you want. Or you’ll find the location you need, but the design lacks character.
On the other hand, when you remodel a home you already love, you can design all the details to fit your exact wishes. A wine cupboard is a must? Design that right in. You want a mudroom? Add exactly what you’re looking for.
Reason four: modern updates and conveniences
When you buy a new home, you buy all the problems that come with it. If it’s an older home, that means you’re starting out with aging pipes, fixtures, and structural elements. On the other hand, if you remodel, you can address those issues and incorporate things like energy-efficient appliances, smart technology, and fresh new updates—to make your home as comfortable and future-proof as you’d like.
One couple in Minneapolis, Rachel and Kevin, recently went through this decision process. After spending months looking at all kinds of homes, they decided to Love It instead of List It. Why?
“In the end, when you remodel your home, you get what you want and how you want to navigate through the space,” says Rachel. “You can get more space by buying another home, but do you have the bathroom you want? Do you have the kitchen you want? There are things you might get from that new home but there are a lot of things that a remodel lets you customize—to get what you want and how you want your home to feel.”
Here are a couple additional reasons many homeowners choose to remodel instead of buy a new home.
Reason five: more equity
A strategic remodel can increase the value of your property, ensuring your investment pays off when it’s time to sell, and increasing your equity in the meantime.
Reason six: more control over costs
The process of finding and negotiating on a new home—and then moving and getting settled—involves a lot of hidden expenses, from closing costs and moving fees to new furniture and curtains. Remodeling allows you to set a budget and stick to it.
A new kitchen brought this family even closer together.
White Crane client
“It’s super useful to work with designers that know older homes.”
If you decide a remodel is the right choice for you, keep in mind that the experience (and results) can vary greatly, depending on who you work with.
You’ll have the best luck if you take the time to find a skilled design/build team that specializes in homes like yours. If you have an older home, look for a team that specializes in that kind of remodel. Ideally, they’ll have plenty of great reviews, a reputation for good work, and a solid process in place.
What makes a renovation team truly valuable is when both the designer and builders aren’t intimidated by the challenges of an old home.
Trying to decide if you should remodel?
Many local homeowners trust White Crane Design:Build with their projects. They’re the only firm in the Twin Cities that’s exclusively focused on restoring and renovating older homes, and they understand their quirks, their challenges, and their potential. Set up a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a White Crane designer, and get some thoughts on whether a remodel is right for you.
