Most homeowners reach a point when they think they need to move. They’ve either grown tired of their home, or it is no longer suiting their needs. Once they hit this point, they often call up a moving truck and move. However, there is an alternative that may be even better. Rather than looking to buy your dream home, what if you renovated the one that you have?
There are pros and cons to either scenario, and there isn’t a right answer that suits everybody. However, there are often some things that will weigh one over the other for every individual. In this article, we will go over what you need to keep in mind to understand if you should move and buy a new home or renovate.
If You Buy A New Home
From a financial perspective, selling a home right now is not a bad idea since the market is very hot. Many people are selling over their asking price and often have a clause for no inspection. This means that if you are dead set on selling, then this is a good time to consider it.
However, keep in mind that if you sell, then the next house you buy will likely be expensive as well. Unless you’re downsizing or need to move to a lower cost of living area of the country.
Before you make a decision, have an appraiser come and give you an estimate of the price that you can get if you sell now. Then take a look at what the houses are selling for in the area where you plan to move. You may be surprised at how much you’ll need to spend on a new home.
Something else to keep in mind is the moving process itself. It can be very stressful, especially if you have young kids or pets. Not only do you have to worry about physically moving everything that you own, but you also have to change your address, schools, and doctor’s office. For some people, all of this can be very overwhelming.
You should also make a list of the things that you want in the new house that will make it your dream home. Whatever is lacking in your current home may be found in a new one. If it isn’t something you’re finding, then this may influence your decision to renovate rather than buy.
Remember that buying a new home comes with a lot of costs as well. Not only do you have to pay for your mortgage, but you also need to factor in things like moving costs and closing costs. These can add up quickly, so make sure you have a solid budget before you start looking at new homes.
Advantages Of Buying A New Home
- You get to start with a clean slate. This can be helpful if you have a lot of things that you want to change about your current home and don’t want to deal with the hassle of changing them yourself.
- You may find that your new home has updated features like energy-efficient windows or appliances, which can save you money in the long run.
- If you move to a different neighborhood, you could make new friends and be closer to amenities that are important to you.
- Your mortgage payments could be lower if you buy a smaller or less expensive home than the one you currently own.
Disadvantages Of Buying A New Home
- You will have to go through the hassle of moving, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
- You may end up paying more for your new home than you would if you had renovated your current one.
- If you move to a new neighborhood, you could be further away from friends and family.
- -t could take years to make your new house feel like home.
If You Decide To Renovate
If you are unhappy with your home but love the area where you live, then renovating is likely going to be a great solution. You can do just about any type of renovation, from redoing the kitchen to expanding with an addition.
When you renovate, you have the chance to make your home into your dream home, which it hasn’t been to this point. Renovating may also end up being the cheaper option if the house you would move to ends up being more expensive. Not only that, but you have been building equity in your home and can now use it to fund your repairs.
One of the biggest obstacles to doing a rehab on your current home is that it will be a big disruption for some time. In some cases, you may need to be out of the house and in a short-term rental while work is done. Make sure to understand what the work entails before you make a decision, so you won’t regret it later on.
Advantages Of Renovating Your Home
- You can customize your home to suit your specific needs and wants.
- You may be able to add on to your current home if you have the land for it.
- If you love your neighborhood, you don’t have to leave it.
- You can usually do the renovation in phases.
Disadvantages Of Renovating Your Home
- The renovation process can be very disruptive to your daily life and can be quite messy.
- You could end up spending more money on the renovation than you had originally planned.
- The value of your home may not increase as much as you hoped, especially if you overspent on the renovation.
- It could take longer to finish the renovation than you anticipated.
In Conclusion
So, what’s the best option for you? It really depends on your specific situation and what’s important to you. Weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully before making a decision. Whichever route you choose, make sure you have a solid plan in place to avoid any stressful surprises down the road.
There are many things to consider when deciding whether to buy a new home or renovate your old one. It can be a tough decision to make, but if you weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully, you should be able to come to the right conclusion for your specific situation. It ultimately comes down to what is best for you and your family. If you need more space, then moving and buying a new home may be the best option. But if you love your home and just want to make some changes, then a renovation is likely the better solution.