Re: need advice ...ROI on Home upgrades / features

In article <1164914963.053885.320420@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
kimshapiro100@xxxxxxxxx says...

need advice ...ROI on Home upgrades / features

My sister lives in the SF bay Area, CA. She wants to upgrade her home
with new kitchen granite,
flooring, carpeting, bathroom tiles, marble entryway, additional new
bathroom etc

She is wondering if "the upgrades" are a good investment ? and will
they appreciate in time ?
In other words if she is planning on spending $50,000 on upgrades, will
this $50,000 appreciate at say 6% or would she better off investing
in mutual funds ?

I have 2 important questions...
1.generally does get one's money back from these upgrades ?
2. Do the upgrades appreciate with the home ? ie if a home appreciates
6% a year in the SF Bay Area, CA would her upgrades appreciate as well
?

If you think this would bring in a good ROI, would you pls advise as to
which materials to use ?
What tiles, carpets, marble, granite are best for ROI and maintenance
?

She is totally ignorant with these things.

Any help would be highly appreciated.


I think the most important questions are - how long will she be in the home (how
soon she's planning to sell if she is), and to which upgrades and to what extent
they would increase her enjoyment and use of her home. Also - how is the
current state? Is it not to her taste and/or old (not necessarily the same
thing)? Are things functional?

Let's say just as an example she'll be there five years, and is looking to sell
then and "trade up", and has some rooms that she finds hard to live in (not as
functional/not to her taste). Then I'd concentrate on the kitchen and bathroom
upgrades, using middle of the line natural materials in neutral colors.
Windows/roof/siding if there are problems due to age. Any trim should be either
stained a medium stain throughout or painted an off-white or ivory throughout.

Tile is great in areas where people expect them (as far as ROI) - kitchen floor
and wall, bathroom, entryways. Not so great where people don't - including
family/living rooms unless that's the norm for her area.

She should be observant as to what the style/expectations are in her area.

But, really, IMO houses are for the living, and not for the leaving
(resale/investment). Unless one really is into the purchase/live and fix/trade
up scenario. Even then, she should think about what she would enjoy living in.

Banty

.