The ebb and flow of our economy can keep us on financial edge. We know an occasional downturn will occur, it is just a matter of time. Of course, this is what happened in 2008, which they are calling the worst depression since the Great Depression of the 1920s. Real estate seemed to be hit harder than other industries and for years now, people have had to stay in their homes instead of moving to larger homes or to a preferred location. Now that our economy is flowing again, real estate prices are starting to improve and some consumers are ready to make the decision whether to move out of their home or to invest in their home.
If you love the neighborhood in which you live, but your living space is inconvenient or has flaws, consider remodeling your home’s architectural shortcomings. Money magazine suggests that remodeling away your home’s flaws can cost tens of thousands of dollars less than moving to another home. You avoid moving costs, realtor fees and the headache of packing and unpacking.
One consideration may be a half bathroom. Some two-story homes lack a bathroom on the first floor requiring guests and older folks to climb the stairs to the second floor. Not only is this inconvenient, it also invades your privacy. Money magazine suggests turning an under stairs cubby, large closet or pantry into a half bathroom. All that is required is a space as small as four feet by four feet or three feet by five feet. You could also build new walls to carve the space out of a porch, back foyer or hallway. To keep the cost at a minimal, Maeser suggests putting the new bathroom close to existing plumbing, such as below the kitchen, other bathroom or next to, above or below the laundry room.
Maeser’s Home Comfort experts can give you great ideas on the most economical way to add a half bathroom or enlarge an already existing one. Plus, they can help you decide on fixtures, lighting, tile, cabinets, flooring, exhaust fans, and so much more. They can handle your project from start to finish so you don’t have the stress of calling different subcontractors to handle different aspects of your bathroom project. Let Maeser help you increase your property value while making it more convenient for you and your family.
