Typically when I'm travelling and people find out that I'm a real estate agent, they ask me about upgrades to their home. Unfortunately, my answer can be a bit annoyiny because I say they should consult with a local real estate professional whenever they ask us if they should upgrade a certain item or area of their home. While I understand that it sounds a lot like a non-answer, this is actually great advics because these agents have acquired a vast amount of local knowledge and experience in the field.
Every year a renovation magazine reports on the best upgrades to do to your home,but it varies from region to region. I'm here to tell you that it varies from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. For example, a pool upgrade in Georgia is going to increase the value 0 to 3%, why? Because it's expected from those relocating to Georgia. Would a pool for a home in Novi MI be worth the same? A indoor pool is almost foreign to people in Richardson, TX but it's a common feature in homes in Davenport, FL.
That's why letting an agent visit your home is good adivce because it will give them an opportunity to check out the condition of your home. They could give you a more accurate estimate of the upgrades that you plan on doing and help you decide if it will show up in the appraisal as increased value of your home. In 2017 (and before) appraisers are sometimes the most powerful people in real estate. If your home is already in bad condition but you want to get rid of it anyway, some agents can help you with that, too. Realtors have a responsibility to the public, so use this to get advice before moving forward with a sell or upgrade.
