Dear Melissa:
Is it less expensive to renovate your house or buy a new one and move? I realize that since houses are cheaper to buy, mine is going to sell for less too. That part would be a wash. L.C., GA
Dear L.:
With the real estate market the way it is, I’ve grappled with this one myself recently. Unless your house is falling down or in need of a serious overhaul, it can be much less costly to renovate. (What did you expect a decorator to tell you?)
Seriously though, unless you discover your dream house on the market, you’ll still have to make any new house your own by freshening up tired rooms and eliminating the current colors. Add to this the cost of the closing, realtor, legal, and moving fees. So, do the math. And let’s face it, at least you already know the pluses and minuses of your current house and neighborhood.
If you are really unhappy in your present house, perhaps a better question might be: Is it better to buy an existing house or build exactly what you want? I personally couldn’t deal with any more upheaval in my life. Can you? M.A.K.
