Cost Vs. Value

According to the 2021 Cost Vs. Value Report© (www.costvsvalue.com) not a single one of 22 common home upgrade projects in Jacksonville ‘paid’ for themself in 2021. In Jacksonville, the average cost for a mid-range bath remodel was just over $21K. This increased the homes resale value, on average, by just over $10K, for a cost recouped of 48%.

It is unlikely that you will ‘invest’ $1 in your home and get $1+ back at resale. The highest recoupment costs, both at 96%, were for a garage door replacement, and a manufactured stone veneer upgrade. All other projects come in well below 95%. Vinyl replacement windows, at 66% cost recoupment, came in ‘next’ behind garage doors and stone veneer. Most projects were in the 45-60% range.

For many, this is discouraging, that they cannot maximize their resale value with some strategic investments. While these are averages and there may be exceptions for specific projects in specific situations, the data holds year after year; this is not an anomaly.

So, what can you do with this knowledge? First, undertake these projects for your enjoyment, not for resale value. Second, do not let your homes condition deteriorate to the point that it requires major investments to put it on the market; where it is unlikely that the full cost of those investments will be recovered. Let’s look at both of these individually.

A kitchen upgrade or full tear out and remodel creates a fresh new space for friends and family to gather. The same can be said for a new deck. Replacement vinyl windows are likely more energy efficient than what you have today, improve the look of your home, and may be required if you have fog or haze in decades old multi-pane windows. Along with new doors, a bathroom remodel and any of a number of other projects, your home becomes a nicer place for you and your family. So, do not upgrade your home to sell it, upgrade your home to enjoy it; and then know you might get a few dollars more for your home when you sell it someday.

Something I often cover, and will do so again, is failure to do proper ongoing maintenance on your home will lead to a difficult sales dilemma. Replacement costs will not return your investment; but selling a home “as is” with known damage will generally attract lowball offers from investors. There is an entire industry built around buying and flipping distressed properties.

Keeping your home up, doing maintenance and upgrades as you go, allows you to enjoy your home to the fullest, and does not create challenges when it is time to sell.

If your home has not been maintained ideally, and you are not yet ready to sell it, you can start the process of catching up on that which needs doing. This keeps problems from getting worse, spreads any costs out, and allows you to start enjoying your home more. When that day comes where you are ready to sell your home, you are in a much better position.

Mr. Handyman can assist with many home-repair and home improvement projects. When we cannot assist due to licensing or size of project, we often know of reliable local service providers who can assist.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

©2021 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Complete data from the 2021 Cost Vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com