Feeling crowded?
If you’re constantly bumping into your family, don’t have enough storage space, or just need a place to relax in peace, it’s time to make a change. You have 2 options:
- Sell your house and move
- Invest in a home addition and remodel your space
Which path is right for you and your family? Queue up that 1982 hit song by The Clash – I’m here to help you answer the question, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”
Stay when the neighborhood fits your lifestyle
Is your neighborhood meeting your family’s needs? If so, staying put and seeing what’s possible through a home addition makes a lot of sense.
Do your best to think objectively about how well your current neighborhood fits your lifestyle. Evaluate these important factors:
Access to amenities
What kind of amenities are important for your family? Grocery stores, libraries, parks, restaurants, nightlife…? By considering what resources your family needs or wants easy access to, you’ll immediately have an idea of how well your current neighborhood measures up.
Transportation
What are your transportation needs? Does your neighborhood offer enough options? Here are a few specific things to think about:
- How many cars you have and whether or not you have good parking
- If you use public transportation and whether your neighborhood offers easy access to the MAX or TriMet
- How heavily trafficked your area is
- Your neighborhood’s walk score
- Your commute time
Kid-friendliness
If you have children, plan to have kids in the future, or have grandkids, there are a few additional considerations:
- Evaluate the school district to see if it meets your standards
- Are there nearby childcare options?
- Are there child-friendly activities in the area?
- Are streets safe for children?
- Do a lot of other families live in the area?
If you love your neighborhood and it’s meeting all your family’s needs, why move?
See what’s possible with a home redesign and addition!
Portland’s Trusted Design & Home Addition Company
Go if the biggest improvement would be a new location
Your neighborhood is the one thing you can’t change about your home. If your home’s location is drastically misaligned with your lifestyle, moving on to a new area is probably for the best.
Before you jump up to call a real estate agent, ask yourself a couple questions:
Can I get into a neighborhood that better serves my needs?
Portland neighborhoods with great amenities, award-winning school districts, and pretty streets are very popular. In these highly-desirable areas, some houses will last less than a month on the market. Since everyone wants to live in these areas, winning a bidding war on a home is difficult.
Will I be able to find a house I love?
Not only will you have to compete against other buyers, you’ll also have to find the right house to begin with! Finding the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood will not be easy. Chances are, you’ll still need to invest in some level of redesign or remodel once you get into a new home.
Stay if remodeling will increase the value of your home
Remodeling or adding additional square footage to your home is an investment that will increase your home’s property value.
What kind of renovations will give you the biggest return on investment (ROI)? The most sought-after features in a home are exactly the kind of things you’re currently looking for in your space. For example…
- More storage options
- Updating or adding additional bathrooms
- Open floor plans with natural light
- Basement renovations
- Other space additions
Go if your home has outpriced the neighborhood
There’s one situation where remodeling your home may not have the ROI that you’re hoping for – that’s if you already have the nicest house on the block.
It’s difficult to increase equity in a home if it’s already priced well above the rest of its neighbors. Yes, you’ll have a nicer space to live in that fits your needs, but the renovation won’t make a big difference in its resale value.
Stay if a remodel can achieve your goals
Before you can make the final decision on whether you should move or improve, you have to consider exactly what it is you’re looking for in a home. Are these updates possible in your current space?
You want more space, but what exactly does that look like for your family? For example, many of our clients feeling cramped in their home choose to remodel their homes because they want…
- More open space that allows family to be together more easily
- Less competition for bathrooms in the morning while everyone’s getting ready
- A special space for hobbies, like a craft room, wine cellar, or a home theater
- A place to send the kids or teens, like a rec room
- Ability to have guests over and visit from out of town
When you work with our team here at Mosaik Design & Remodeling, we’ll help maximize your space and create a beautiful design that suits your style and needs.
Some of our favorite space-adding projects include:
- Transforming unfinished basements into welcoming, usable spaces
- Creating useful storage solutions like built-in bookshelves or a mudroom off the entryway
- Adding rec rooms, detached guest houses, and entertainment spaces
Learn more about our home addition remodeling services.
Go when there’s no room to expand
If you’ve met with a designer and discovered that the home of your dreams cannot be fully achieved in your current space, then it’s probably time to consider a move.
However, you’d be surprised by what’s possible when you work with an experienced design and remodeling company! Never assume an addition or remodel is not possible. Always seek the opinion of a professional design and remodeling company to fully understand your options.
Ready for more space in your home?
Ultimately, whether you sell your home or stay and invest in a home addition is a highly personal decision. The factors listed above should come into play, but they must be considered in the context of your family life, career, and financial plans.
If you’ve decided that a remodel is the best answer for you and your family or are curious about what type of home addition is possible in your space, give me a call at (503) 726-2222. I’d love to come out to your home to discuss your needs and provide a free initial consultation.
Interested in more home design resources?
Browse our award-winning blog!