With a nationwide shortage of housing and record-high home prices, more homeowners prefer to stay in their properties versus moving. Nearly half of American homeowners are living in the first home they purchased. Of those who have lived there for longer than six years, 61% will choose to renovate instead of moving.¹
IMPROVE APPEARANCE AND FUNCTION WITH TIMELESS STYLE
There are so many interesting options and technological enhancements homeowners can do to upgrade their houses; it’s no wonder popular trends change from year to year. New changes are always on the horizon for upscale renovations, including spacious chef-style kitchens, indoor and outdoor pools and spas, elaborate home offices, state-of-the-art home theatres and music rooms, and destination-themed bars and wine cellars.
However, according to the home improvement website HomeAdvisor,² if you want a good return on your remodeling investments, going with what’s “hot” might not always be a good idea. The best remodels are likely to focus on upgrades that will improve appearance or function now and continue to be attractive additions in the future. To understand what’s getting the best returns in your area right now, talk with a local realtor.
With that being said, the return on investment (ROI) is the bottom line if you’re looking to sell your home quickly and make a profit. If you plan on flipping your property soon, be aware of popular trends and what the likely return on remodeling costs is for particular projects.
FIVE POPULAR HOME IMPROVEMENTS: WHAT THEY COST AND YOUR ROI3
SUNROOM OR ENCLOSED PATIO. Affordable and popular, sunrooms are usually made from vinyl or aluminum. The average cost per square foot can range from $50 to $200, depending on the size and features. Generally, you’ll pay anywhere from $20,000 up to $75,000, including labor costs for painters, carpenters, and electricians. The ROI on this addition is 50%.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN. The features you choose drive the costs on this project: the type of grill, fire pit, oven, sink, cabinets, refrigerator, countertops, and the materials for the structure. The cost can be as much as $150,000, with the average cost per square foot $25 to $75. The ROI on this investment is 100% when it comes to enjoyment. For financial gain if you decide to sell, you could get 100% to 200% return if you live in a warm, sunny climate.
GRANNY FLAT OR IN-LAW APARTMENT. This is one of the most popular home addition trends hitting the market this year. This little detached home-away-from-home is great for visitors and relatives. The average size is 600 to 750 square feet and costs an average of $90,000 for a structure that includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, living room, and laundry area. The ROI for a long-term rental and for selling your property is 100%.
DETACHED GARAGE WITH SECOND-STORY LIVING/OFFICE AREA. Cost will be determined by the size (single, double, triple, compact, storage space), building materials, and window and door selections. Generally, you’ll pay $15,000 to $25,000 including labor and materials. Add another $5,000 to include a second level, and expect to pay more if you’re putting in plumbing, electrical lines or HVAC. The cost per square foot runs from $35 to $50. The ROI on this structure is $100%.
CHANGES TO AN EXISTING FLOOR PLAN. In a nutshell, the more you change the more expensive this project will be. If you add extra square footage, it will cost even more. The architectural design and necessary local approvals and building permits will cost from $1,000 to $5,000. For the project itself, depending on the scope of your changes, the cost could be up to $200,000 or more. The ROI is difficult to calculate as there are so many variables. But, on average, you can probably expect an 80% return on your investment at most.
PAYING FOR YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Should you decide to finance your home addition or renovation project rather than pay cash, home equity lines of credit are one attractive option. We offer a home equity line with no bank fees at closing and interest rates are at historic lows. Or, depending on the terms of an existing first mortgage, a refinance cash-out mortgage may be a solution if you can reduce your existing interest rate and/or reduce the term of an existing mortgage. Contact Commerce Trust today for more information.
¹ Source: Jaleesa Bustamante, iPropertyManagement.com, “Home Improvement Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis [2020],” https://ipropertymanagement.com. ©2020.
² Source: HomeAdvisor, “This Year’s Popular Remodeling Choices,” https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/popular-remodeling-projects/.
³ Source: Home Remodeling Costs Guide, “Top 20 Home Addition Ideas, Plus Costs and ROI Details in 2020,” https://www.remodelingcosts.org/home-addition-costs/
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of March 25, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
IMPROVE APPEARANCE AND FUNCTION WITH TIMELESS STYLE
There are so many interesting options and technological enhancements homeowners can do to upgrade their houses; it’s no wonder popular trends change from year to year. New changes are always on the horizon for upscale renovations, including spacious chef-style kitchens, indoor and outdoor pools and spas, elaborate home offices, state-of-the-art home theatres and music rooms, and destination-themed bars and wine cellars.
However, according to the home improvement website HomeAdvisor,² if you want a good return on your remodeling investments, going with what’s “hot” might not always be a good idea. The best remodels are likely to focus on upgrades that will improve appearance or function now and continue to be attractive additions in the future. To understand what’s getting the best returns in your area right now, talk with a local realtor.
With that being said, the return on investment (ROI) is the bottom line if you’re looking to sell your home quickly and make a profit. If you plan on flipping your property soon, be aware of popular trends and what the likely return on remodeling costs is for particular projects.
FIVE POPULAR HOME IMPROVEMENTS: WHAT THEY COST AND YOUR ROI3
SUNROOM OR ENCLOSED PATIO. Affordable and popular, sunrooms are usually made from vinyl or aluminum. The average cost per square foot can range from $50 to $200, depending on the size and features. Generally, you’ll pay anywhere from $20,000 up to $75,000, including labor costs for painters, carpenters, and electricians. The ROI on this addition is 50%.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN. The features you choose drive the costs on this project: the type of grill, fire pit, oven, sink, cabinets, refrigerator, countertops, and the materials for the structure. The cost can be as much as $150,000, with the average cost per square foot $25 to $75. The ROI on this investment is 100% when it comes to enjoyment. For financial gain if you decide to sell, you could get 100% to 200% return if you live in a warm, sunny climate.
GRANNY FLAT OR IN-LAW APARTMENT. This is one of the most popular home addition trends hitting the market this year. This little detached home-away-from-home is great for visitors and relatives. The average size is 600 to 750 square feet and costs an average of $90,000 for a structure that includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, living room, and laundry area. The ROI for a long-term rental and for selling your property is 100%.
DETACHED GARAGE WITH SECOND-STORY LIVING/OFFICE AREA. Cost will be determined by the size (single, double, triple, compact, storage space), building materials, and window and door selections. Generally, you’ll pay $15,000 to $25,000 including labor and materials. Add another $5,000 to include a second level, and expect to pay more if you’re putting in plumbing, electrical lines or HVAC. The cost per square foot runs from $35 to $50. The ROI on this structure is $100%.
CHANGES TO AN EXISTING FLOOR PLAN. In a nutshell, the more you change the more expensive this project will be. If you add extra square footage, it will cost even more. The architectural design and necessary local approvals and building permits will cost from $1,000 to $5,000. For the project itself, depending on the scope of your changes, the cost could be up to $200,000 or more. The ROI is difficult to calculate as there are so many variables. But, on average, you can probably expect an 80% return on your investment at most.
PAYING FOR YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Should you decide to finance your home addition or renovation project rather than pay cash, home equity lines of credit are one attractive option. We offer a home equity line with no bank fees at closing and interest rates are at historic lows. Or, depending on the terms of an existing first mortgage, a refinance cash-out mortgage may be a solution if you can reduce your existing interest rate and/or reduce the term of an existing mortgage. Contact Commerce Trust today for more information.
¹ Source: Jaleesa Bustamante, iPropertyManagement.com, “Home Improvement Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis [2020],” https://ipropertymanagement.com. ©2020.
² Source: HomeAdvisor, “This Year’s Popular Remodeling Choices,” https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/popular-remodeling-projects/.
³ Source: Home Remodeling Costs Guide, “Top 20 Home Addition Ideas, Plus Costs and ROI Details in 2020,” https://www.remodelingcosts.org/home-addition-costs/
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of March 25, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
