Home Renovations: Guidelines for Deciding What To Do

Home Maintenance and Repair comes first: Don't Have a Face Life When You Need Heart Surgery

• fix leaking roofs
• flush/repair gutters and downspouts so they function correctly
• repair chimneys if there are loose bricks or mortar
• make sure your foundation has no cracks & is structurally sound
• all your plumbing fixtures should be in good working order..no drips/leaks
• upgrade your electrical system to 100 AMPS and ensure wiring and outlets are correct for usage
• your furnace/AC  should be recently serviced and in good working condition

TRENDS IN HOME RENOVATION 2010-2011

Remodeling Magazine publishes a report annually that gives COST vs VALUE for various home renovations by  cities, area, and the natio.

Here are some major take-aways for the Boston area:

• only three projects increased in value over prior year: replacement garage doors, additions of family room/sunroom  or two story addition
• the most expensive: kitchen, master suite, two story addition and family room

Take a look at these statistics thanks to Hanley Wood, LLC and Remodeling Magazine

Remodeling Magazine issues a COST VS VALUE REPORT annually for regions in the US and particular cities, such as Boston. A two-story addition costing $165,000 will get you a 65% return in the selling price for a midrange-priced home. A garage door replacement, deck  or family room addition are the only three  renovations whose value went UP this past year!

Read the entire Boston report here or go to Remodeling Magazine for cost vs value information for the entire country!