Quad City Leader: Remodeling a personal choice

By Lisa Lansman Staff writer

Whether you want to boost your home’s value or make yourself happy, the ultimate judge for the best home improvement projects is you.

While kitchens and baths are still the best bets for increasing the value of your house, decks and three-season porches are popular home improvement projects with an intangible value, say experts.

“When you spend money on that kind of project, you need to understand that you’re doing it for your own enjoyment and quality of life. Don’t expect to get a dollar-for-dollar return on your money,” said Ken Buckles, a real estate agent for McCarthy-Bush Real Estate Co., Davenport.

If you’re determined to live in the house for more than five years, you may be able to absorb a more expensive remodeling job, but your home’s price still depends on location, location, location, he stressed.

Finding the money for remodeling projects can be as near as your local bank. “Banks are very competitive when it comes to home improvement loan rates, so you should really shop around for a good rate,” he added.

Staying in the same home — whether for sentimental reasons or for convenience — is a popular trend these days, said Brian Girskis, president of Suburban Construction, Bettendorf.

“A lot of people like their neighborhood and don’t want to move, so they put their money into projects that make them feel good,” he said.

“Windows, siding and doors are popular improvements that can really improve the look of a house and can save on heating and cooling costs over the years,” he said. “And new energy-efficient windows can be a good selling point when you decide to move.”

That’s because windows and doors are to blame for as much as a third of the total heat loss from a house, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

If you decide to sell your house, a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting are appealing to prospective home buyers and can be relatively inexpensive improvements, said Doug Hattery, a real estate appraiser and partner at Stahl-Hattery Valuation Services, Davenport.

“Long-term investments, like windows and siding, can increase a home’s value and energy efficiency and are good selling points,” he said. “But still, the neighborhood dictates how much money you can get for your house.”

The remodeling decision has to be a personal thing.

“You have to look at your own situation and how long you plan to stay (in the house.) You have to look at your house, your neighborhood and the real estate market and decide if it’s a good improvement to make,” said Julian Stahl, another appraiser and partner at Stahl-Hattery.