Facebook is a great format for past clients to keep in touch. A first time buyer, from several years ago, sent the following questions regarding two home improvements. Her concerns addressed kitchen cabinet space and a second bath. Well, it's two things. Right now, our basement has two entries, one from outside and one through the kitchen. The basement houses the water heater and furnace and is not fix-up-able. I'd like to get rid of the kitchen entrance because I could get an entire new bank of cabinets into a small cramped kitchen. But I don't want to hurt the value more than it is.
THE BASEMENT ENTRY
1) The basement entry issue. I do understand the need for more kitchen cabinets. However, whenever a home does not have direct access to the basement (think tornado) or direct access to the attached garage (think groceries) potential buyers always ask, "How do we get there. It is where? Outside!"
My best advice on the basement vs more cabinets is to look at Ikea type shelving and storage products that fit within your current kitchen or on the walls of the basement entry. Think in terms of how to 'glamorize' your basement steps area without finishing the basement (like a pantry space).BEDROOMS VS BATH
Second question is: we currently have four bedrooms, two big (12 x 12) and two small (8 x 8). We'd like to combine one of the big rooms with one of the small rooms to make a room big enough to be a "master" bedroom, as we have a king size bed and literally have about four feet around three sides as walking space and nothing else. But, again, don't want to hurt the house value hugely.
We've done loads of other improvements, and have several more planned. So the bedrooms would go from 4 bed, 1 bath to 3 bed, 2 bath.
2) Four smaller bedrooms vs three bedrooms including a master suite. Generally, the rule is to not eliminate or reduce the number of livable bedrooms. This is especially wise if a property has investment/rental potential. However, you propose an interesting situation with your intention to add a second bathroom. To me this is a no-brainer. Changing from four bedrooms (especially when two are small) and one bath to three bedrooms and two baths (especially when adding a master suite or pass through bathroom) is an exception to the bedroom rule. Thoughts? Thanks!
Great questions! Let me know what you decide. Steve
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Tami DeLand and Steve HansenSaint Cloud and Central Minnesota REALTORSColdwell Banker Burnet(320) 258-6675---
St. Cloud Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleCentral Minnesota Real Estate---
Labels: burnet realty, coldwell banker burnet, foreclosure, home improvements, i-94homes, saint cloud homes, short sale, st cloud homes for sale, tamiandsteve, www.i-94homes.com
