If so, how much?  I have the option of building a gas or woodburning fireplace into my new home at cost ranging from $3-5 thousand but I'm not sure it is worth it.
217163
Yes it does, but it also increases you property insurance. PHB
366027
I guess it would depend on your location.  Here in Georgia, you could buy a 3 bedroom 1 bath started home for around $70,000.
565320
no, but a good one is not cheap.  it can cost thousands of dollars. you need to pay time and expenses.
220178
Let me tell you the minus part-\n\nBought my grandmas home valued at $595K, took out a loan for 436,000.  Plumbing was $6000 off the bat, interior painting, wall paper removal $1500.  Tons of homes in her area have come up for sale 495K-630K, and a few closed after 3+ months for sale.  Decided to rent the place for $2200, loan is $1750, insurance $90, and property tax is a mess right now.  Rent not covering the PITI ( even on neg am loan).  Gardner's raised fee due to gas, I pay water and trash. \n\nIf I sell, I am subject to capital gains on any money I make.  Based on price I paid, that was never disclosed cause there was no contract I am in a bit of a mess.  They can actually base my capital gains off the price my grandma paid on the home $19,000.\n\nUnless your related to Donald Trump, I would stay away from the real estate investing until you get a grasp on the entire picture.  I am finding it incredibly hard to remember what the basis was for deciding to take on another property.  Even with my own personal income 10K month, & rent for the home I am finding it necessary to balance my checkbook for the first time in my life.  It may turn out great down the road.  To date, its taken entire days away from my regular job, required more up front money then budgeted, caused a potential tax mess, and the worse time to try and sell in a historically desirable neighborhood of custom homes.
493799
I've wondered the same thing, Sunshine!  They spend less than $2000 and get it looking SO different and great.  I would gladly spend that much to make my house look better.
125569
There are many companies that offer home plans online. These companies also usually will give a break down of what the average cost to build is by geographic zone within the US. I do not think you will be able to find a builder who will estimate the cost of building a home on their website as there are many factors involved. Topography, grading, sewer/septic, utilities, etc all influence pricing. I would suggest contacting your county building department. They will be able to give you an estimate of roughly the average cost per square foot to build in your county.  Good luck!
37390
The answer to this question depends on the market.  Some markets are "seller's markets".  If you are in one, you will probably have to offer MORE than the asking price.  You may ask your agent to provide an MLS list of homes that have recently sold in the specific area you are considering.  Look at the days on market (DOM), the asking price, and the sale price.  If the days on market are low, you are probably in more of a seller's market.  Even so, look at how close the asking and sale prices are.  Take the sales in the last 30 days for that area and find the average cost per square foot for the type of home you are considering and use that average as a guideline (new construction cost per sq ft is usually higher than resale cost per sq ft. but consider recent renovations and lot size).  Always make the contract contingent upon a home inspection. There are some markets that are so favorable to sellers that buyers will waive this...I do not recommend doing that on a resale buy.  Always ask the seller to give you (at least) a one year home warranty.  Good luck!
488576
Here are a few things to consider before renovating your home for the sole reason of making it worth more.  Maybe this will help you decide.\n\nKeep in mind your neighborhood when adding on.  The largest house in the neighborhood usually sells at a discount.  For example, if the homes in your neighborhood are around 2100 - 2300 sqare feet, and you expand your house to be 2800 - 3000 sq ft., your house will sell for fewer dollars per square foot to pull it in line with the selling price of the other homes in the area.  If other homes near you are larger, or have also had building additions, this may not be as much of an issue.  Home additions also command a lower $/sq ft value than the original structure.\n\nRenovations rarely recover 100% of the costs.  You will proabably be able to save money since you have been in the business and can act as your own contractor, but you also need to keep in mind the intrest and loan costs of the remodel, not just the construction costs. \n\nIn theory, you will have more equity because you have more house, but if you use a bank loan to access the equity, then it is actually the bank that has the equity, not you.  \n\nI recommend talking to a local real estate agent about your plans if you primary goal is to have a more valuable home.  He or she will be able to tell you what your neighborhood and its buyers consider valuable.
353713
Today's homeowners are looking for one large, spacious, uncluttered, sparkling clean kitchen.  People today do not use their kitchens in the same way as was done years ago when a second kitchen, or "summer kitchen" was a cool feature.  The approximate value of having a legal commercial kitchen on your property is specific to your local area.  The need in your local area will determine the value.\n\nIt's hard to say that your property value would increase by $30,000 because it cost that much to buy and install the equipment.  Your main house should have a large, beautiful, (remodeled) modern kitchen with lots of stainless steel fixtures.  Remodeling your main house kitchen is what can add the most to your property value, up to 150% of remodeling costs you expend.  \n\nThe large commercial kitchen is of value to people who are looking to produce income, or who are in the food preparation business.  Caterers, bakers, restaurant owners, and chefs.   Also, someone planning to have a large garden on the acre of land, and grow food, might appreciate having the extra kitchen, and large storage coolers, as well.   Online food sellers are now a hot business opportunity niche.  They usually need a commercial kitchen to prepare their product.  Florists also use large coolers and need extra storage space.  \n\nCheck with your zoning board if one person can own the property and someone else can rent and run the kitchen.  If you advertise in your newspaper a commercial kitchen For Rent, the response you receive may help you discover how popular the feature is in your immediate area.  Explain to people who respond with interest that you don't use the kitchen any more, you are planning to sell your property, any lease would begin after the house was sold, and would be contigent upon approval by the new owner.  As you begin to gather names, someone interested in renting the kitchen area may decide to buy the entire property, or they may know someone looking for this kind of value who would partner with them.\n\nThe point is to get the word out, and market your property specifically to those in the food, preparation, and refrigerated products industry.  Do this in addition advertising to those in the general real estate market.  There are non-profit groups that could have funding available specifically designated for maintaining a commercial kitchen \n\nI would not change or convert the kitchen before you put the property up for sale.  You say there is already plenty of other garage space, and storage space on the property.  I am sure most buyers would appreciate having the upgraded electric, or gas service, and fire safety equipment even if they didn't plan on using the kitchen space.  Having a list of prospective renters to give to the the new owners may actually increase the value of your property in the eyes of some people. Let the new owner decide if they want to keep the kitchen, or convert it back to gargage space.\n\nIf it turns out that interest in the commercial kitchen is low, either you or the new owner can sell kitchen equipment to raise extra money.  It's possible this could even help the prospective buyer pay closing costs as an incentive towards the sale.
654235
SOME SAY IT IS NOT WORTH IT, PERSONALY MY OPINION IS IT IS WORTH INVESTMENT IN THE LONGER TERM. ALTHOUGH 'START UP' FEES AND COSTS ARE GREAT. THE COST ON THE ENVIOMENT IS ALSO LESS.
378782
I live in a town that has 18,000 people, but we have a university with another 15,000 students and two major interstates intersect here.  We have a mall where my best friend is the property manager (negotiates leases, etc.)\n\nWell, by coincidence this mall is going through a major renovation, so we have talked about these prices a number of times.  Right now they rent for $12 per sqft per year or 2000sqft * $12 = $24000/12 = $2000 per month and utilities are included.\n\nAfter the renovation, the price is going to be $22.5 per sq ft per year plus utilities or 2000 sqft * $22.5 = 45,000 per year or $3750 per month.\n\nDepending on how much traffic your mall gets, you could expect to pay $2000 - $4000 for 2000 sqft of space.
409712
Wow, if that isn't the shiz-nit. It is difficult to put a price on something priceless. Figure out the price of time, travel, film, developing and the like it would cost to go around and redo everything. Chances are it would cost several hundred or even top a thousand. Especially after adding in emotional trauma. Get a psychiatric evaluation so a professional can verify the trauma.
631761
yes but may be costly
316071
Yes I do, I have a cute starter home that my fiance and I purchased when we found out I was pregnant.  Its nothing huge or fancy but its perfect for our little family, and we are only paid $94,000....(in Canada)
634404
Since there are no comps (comparables) for such a purchase, the only way to arrive at a purchase price is to figure out what it would cost (roughly) to rebuild it.\nI would pay an appraisor and talk to some real estate agents. Preferably, agents dealing in commercial real estate.
558311
Well, baseboard electric heat is radiant, and most gas furnaces are convective.  Good radiant heat is probably more comfortable for occupants.  As to the efficiency, the gas is far more efficient as a energy distribution mechanism.  There is no loss from the well to the house, and modern furnaces are very good at cleanly burning the fuel.  The heat is transferred to the air quite efficiently as well.  But, if you are a greener, and you want to lower your 'carbon footprint', go electric in areas where that resource is hydro or nuclear.  \n\nIf it is new construction, get radiant floor heating.  This is even better than baseboard, and can be fueled by electricity or gas.
241706
charge depending on the size of the house and if you are using your own products.  A flat rate of around $50 is normally good.  Check out some of your competition, call maid services around your area and ask how much they would charge. Don't tell them your plan tho. Use that information to help you find a good price. It's hard to tell you what to charge, it depends on where you live and what the economic situation in your area is. Good luck tho!