Before you remodel your home, call me!

Before you make any major improvements in your Vancouver WA home it's a good idea to consult a Realtor to make sure your investment will add to the value of your home. Nothing is worse than spending money on remodeling only to find you are not getting a good return on your investment.

I often see Vancouver homeowners make improvements that don't add value to their home. One of the most common mistakes is throwing good money after bad, like putting granite countertops on top of older cabinets, adding a bath or shower to a bathroom that is too small to accommodate the fixture, or converting a garage to a family room.

Take the time to figure out what your true motivation is for a remodel, if you want a more open floor plan, consider knocking down some walls to get rid of that seldom used formal living room rather than adding space to a smaller family room. And if you live in the Pacific Northwest, don't add a pool unless you never plan to sell your home. A home with a swimming pool here will sell for less money and take longer to sell than one without!

Kitchen and Bathroom remodels will add the most value to your home, but they also require a significant financial investment. Make sure you hire a competent contractor and get all the permits needed from the county to complete your project. Even a small renovation can disrupt your life for a month or more, it pays to do your homework and do it right the first time.