I've owned my first home for about a year now, and while I've loved making improvements, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. It's a cozy 3-bedroom, 1-bath place that's just under 1000 sq ft. Our major project so far was adding a laundry room since the washer and dryer were in the kitchen. It cost around $15k, but I would definitely recommend it if you're lacking a dedicated laundry space.
Now, we're thinking of converting our 16x16 deck into a screened-in porch. I've reached out to a contractor for a quote but haven't heard back yet. Here's where I'm struggling: how much money should we invest in this house, knowing we probably won't stay more than 5 years? We're also considering a larger addition once we have kids, but I'm unsure if that's the best route. My main concern is whether a project like the screened-in porch will add enough value to justify the expense when we sell.
2 Answers
It really boils down to weighing the costs against the benefits. It's easy to think you need to make every possible improvement, but taking a moment to ask yourself if it’s worth the investment can help. Just think about how many great vacations you could enjoy for the price of a screened-in porch! Is the porch more valuable than those experiences?
You know, I think it’s important to focus on how these projects enhance your quality of life rather than purely their potential return on investment. It's true that you usually don't recoup every dollar spent when selling. If a screened-in porch will genuinely improve your enjoyment of the home and won’t jeopardize your emergency fund, I say go for it!