Are you unhappy with the schools in your neighborhood?

Is your job stable or might you need to relocate within the next few years?

Keep in mind that you usually don't recoup 100 percent of your remodeling investment if you sell immediately after the work is done.

It makes sense to postpone any major renovation if your personal and financial life are in a state of flux or you're not sure how long you want to live in your neighborhood.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Will your project increase your home's square footage? Renovations that add space, such as an added bathroom or an extra bedroom generally add more value to your home.
• Does your remodeling project bring your house up to par with other houses in your neighborhood or exceed it? You don't want to "over-improve" your home. Market price is held in check by the lowest-priced homes in your neighborhood.
• Can the improvements you're making be easily noticed during a 20 minute walkthrough? Potential home buyers usually care more about the color of the kitchen counters than the energy efficiency of those new replacement windows.
• If you're doing the work yourself, can you do it so it looks professional? Most DIY projects look like it. In general, they will recoup less of your investment.

Article brought to you by Mike Arnett, Owner Doing What’s Right Construction 281-419-4144.