Use Fall to Plan Your Next Home Project
Judie Docs, Executive Officer – CSP, MCSP, CGP, CMP, MIRM
North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) www.ncbia.com
As the weather turns cooler and families spend more time indoors, many homeowners notice what is and is not working about their space. Busy mornings may feel stressful because there aren’t enough bathrooms. The floor plan may make holiday hosting harder than it needs to be. Or you may just need more storage for everyday items. For some people, the fix is updating the home they already love. For others, it means looking for a new home that better fits their needs.
Fall and winter are the perfect time to weigh those options before the spring home buying and remodeling season picks up. Once the weather warms, builders, remodelers, and real estate professionals all get busier, as more owners start planning their next move. Beginning the conversation during the colder months gives you more time to ask questions, compare options and understand what may be realistic for your budget and timeline.
A good starting point is looking closely at how your family uses your existing home every day. Do some rooms feel crowded while others go unused? Would extra space, like a patio, make a difference in daily living? Has your family grown since you first moved in and needs more bedrooms?
Once you know what is no longer working, you can start thinking about the best way to address it. If you like your neighborhood and your home or lot has the space to support the changes you want, remodeling may be the right choice. A renovated kitchen added bathroom or even altered layout can solve many problems – and often for less money than a new purchase.
However, if your family’s needs have changed significantly since you moved in, it may be time to look for a new home entirely. Growing children, aging parents moving in or a shift to fully remote work and the need for a dedicated office are some of many reasons a move might make more sense than trying to change the whole floor plan.
You do not have to make every decision right away, but taking time during the colder months to think through your needs can help you feel more prepared when spring arrives. Contact the NCBIA to connect with trusted builders and remodelers near you! www.ncbia.com
The North Coast Building Industry Association is your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of services available to help you in the future or possibly one of the items mentioned in this article. Using an NCBIA member is an important step in protecting your investment. If For a list of members visit www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090.
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