| "> | | | | of homes on the market. |
| Small home or big, when you need more space, you | | | | The Choice of a New Home Addition |
| need more space! Young families grow. And along | | | | PRO - You can really maximize the home you love: |
| with the addition of family members, comes additional | | | | This is one of the biggest reasons for home additions. |
| activities and the "stuff" that those activities require. | | | | You get to keep the home you love ... and even |
| You have a choice. You can move or you can add on | | | | improve on it! |
| to your home. Sometimes moving is the best option. | | | | CON - It is not a quick solution: Tons of planning and |
| Most areas these days have homes for sale and a | | | | preparation go into a new home addition. It takes |
| decent choice. If, however, you live where you want to | | | | patience and commitment. |
| live and moving is simply not an option, consider a | | | | PRO - You can stay in the neighborhood you're in: Is |
| home addition. | | | | this important to you? If so, it severely limits your ability |
| Let's look briefly into a few pluses and minuses of both | | | | to move while still getting everything you want in a |
| of these options so that you are better equipped to | | | | home. So adding on becomes optimal. |
| make the tough choice. | | | | CON - The current lot limits what you can do: This can |
| The Choice of Moving | | | | be quite limiting. If this is the case, you may need to go |
| PRO - The time benefit: It's probably the quickest fix. | | | | up (second story), or down (basement renovation) |
| Decide your needs, find a RE agent you can trust, look | | | | rather than out. Or, maybe the neighbor hood |
| around, make a choice and make the move. | | | | restrictions (Home Owners Association) limits you. |
| CON - The house choice doesn't match neighborhood | | | | PRO - You can have exactly what you want: As long |
| choice: It can be really difficult to match your needs for | | | | as you have the lot space and you're not restricted, |
| a new home with the exactly neighborhood you really | | | | you're free to create your dream! This can be a lot of |
| want. | | | | fun and very rewarding. |
| PRO - Financing is easier: Often times it's a lot easier | | | | CON - The process requires a lot of preparation and |
| to get a traditional mortgage for an existing home with | | | | decisions: Do you love projects? Well, this is one of the |
| an established value than to get loans for a home | | | | biggest life projects you could take on. |
| addition. | | | | CONCLUSION |
| CON - You lose the advantages your current home | | | | As you can see, there are positives and negatives |
| has: If you love the home you're in, you may be quite | | | | with each choice. Only you can decide. Continue to |
| reluctant to give it up. Especially if you built it! | | | | research and study as you are doing now. There are |
| PRO - Overall convenience: As tough as it is to shop, | | | | a lot of experts who can help you and I advise you to |
| buy and move, it is infinitely less involved than planning | | | | take advantage of their knowledge. Keep your needs |
| and executing a home addition. | | | | and wants top on your mind. |
| CON - You probably won't really get what you want: | | | | From years in the business, I can tell you that a lot of |
| The chances of finding exactly what you want and | | | | thought and research is needed to help you make the |
| where you want it are slim, even when there are a lot | | | | correct choice for you. Good luck! |