will replacing a deck add a lot of value
Hi All- first time post; I inherited a house that has good bones but needs work. When you first drive up to the home you see a 13 x 19 deck, or that is what you used to see. It was so rotted and decrepit it was an eyesore; I had to tear it off first thing. Because there are a lot of renovations to be done to this house, and, I want to sell it anyway, I am wondering if I should just sell it as is and let the next owner rebuild the deck or should I at least put another deck on where the old one was. How much value will I add by replacing it? The house is basically a 3 BR ranch, 1 bath, eat-in kitchen ~1200 Sq.ft. Bascially a starter home. Not many of them here in Vermont. Thanks for your advice
Replies
In general few home improvements return %100 of the cost.
On the other hand some improvements are needed to make the home sellable, at all. Or else they sell at a very drastic discount to someone that will make them and flip it.
Now in looking at making any of them it depends on the age and type (cost level) of the house. Also on the LOCAL market and the condition and features of similar houses on the market that will compete with yours.
So it is best to talk with local real estate agents. Ones that are familiar with that area and the class of house.
That said a deck can often be considered as an optional type of improvement. And on a low cost home one that the buyer could want to defer the cost of.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
I rebuilt both of my decks last year prepping to put the house on the market. Replaced some framing, replaced decking with composite, railings were replaced with cedar components with Azek risers and skirt board. Real estate agent came over and said the upgrades would maybe add to the asthetic value, but not much to the value of the house. And, they only list one deck in the MLS for the house; so although decks are nice, my (limited) experiance tells me that although they can be a liability if in poor condition, they won't add much value, even if new, when it comes time to sell. But maybe it's just the market. (Still sucks - big time - here in SE New England.)
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Pay a carpenter rebuild your deck..... keep the economy going.