It will definitely add value to your home if the other homes in your area do not have either or your finishes are modern and up to date while others are dated. The value however will be to a buyer looking for that particular amenity. Making other smaller changes to your home might be a wiser move. I stage home besides selling real estate. I'd be more than happy to review your home and make suggestions on what would increase the value (or make it the same value as other homes in the area). Just click on my pic! Best regards, Cher

Hello,

A deck and a finished basement are always nice to have in a home. The improvements will always add value, however sometimes not the total return on investment. Home buyers today are comparing all homes on the market. I would get a comparable market analysis on your home before making any major decisions. A deck and a finished basement could easily exceed $15,000+. You could always offer $5,000 toward closing costs or toward finishing the basement or a deck. Just remember no appraiser is going to add the amount you spend on your improvements to your home. They are going to see what homes are selling for in your neighborhood and compare actual square footage.

Don't forget to use neutral colors to keep the basement looking bright and not to dark and save all your receipts. Send me your email an I can send you my e-book on 450 ideas to sell your home fast. I also can give you a free market analysis. I'm only minutes from Woodbine.

Good Luck,
Tammy Durbin
240-405-3118
tammyd@longandfoster.com

Hi Click,

Excellent question. The answer isn't so cut and dry. For the most part, yes these will add value. You have to be careful though not to over improve for the neighborhood. Basements are costly and sometimes you aren't going to add value, but simply be at an equivalent level as your neighbors. In other words, if the other homes all have finished basements, then you are putting yourself on an even playing field.

I would advise you to have a competitive market analysis done on your home. You need to see the numbers before making such a costly decision. This is a service I provide at no charge to you. If you do not currently have a seller's agent, please contact me. I also happen to be a Carroll County resident.

Lisa Devnew
LDevnew@cbmove.com
410-615-0990

It will add value but maybe not as much as you have to spend to get it done. Last report I saw said in this area you will recoup about 85% of construction costs for improvement projects. The report was based on hiring a contractor to do the owrk, so if you are good at DIY you might be able to recognize a higher return, just make sure the work is top notch and doesn't look like "Harry Homeowner" did it himslef.

But where you really might gain is that your home will become more desireable to buyers. So that it will sell faster then a comparable home that does not have these features. This is especially true if you are replacing a worn deck or a poorly finished basement, either of which would be a detriment to your sales effort.

I would also suggest that if you are finishing an unfinished basement that you leave as much open space as possible, rather then cutting the area up into a bunch of rooms. The more you put into the basement the more there is for a possible buyer not to like.

Yes, finishing your basement and adding a deck will always add value however it may not be a dollar for dollar upgrade. If you invest $15,000 you may only see a return of $10,000 but having these features could make your home sell faster and separate it from similar homes without these upgrades. If you will use them and enjoy them in the next year I say go for it!