Karen Cox

Thelma,

Before you make the decision to expand or sell, I suggest you first compare your home to the rest in the neighborhood. If you happen to be one of the older and smaller homes in the neighborhood then expanding is money well spent. If your home is about the same size or bigger than most in your neighborhood then adding to your home might not raise the value as much as you would hope. Make sure you do not overbuild for the neighborhood.

I like Stacey's suggestion of renting the home you currently own and buying something else. Rentals are a great long term investment and provide a nice balance to your retirement portfolio.

If you decide buiding an addition would not be cost effective then you must make sure your home is priced right and looks clean and neat. Buyers have a lot to choose from right now so it is very important to stand out from the other 40 plus homes they will probably see. I would be happy to inverview for the job if you do sell. Good luck!! - Fri Jun 13 2008, 16:49

Jack,

How long ago did you try to have it perked? Septic technology has really changed over the last few years and you might be suprised. Try getting a perk before you try to sell. If you can not get a perk it will be difficult to sell unless you can combine it with another lot or find an offsite drainfield. If you need some contact numbers for septic guys I would be happy to send you that info. - Fri May 30 2008, 11:25

Dear Mike,

I am Karen Cox with Windermere Real Estate in Oak Harbor. I have been in business since 1999. I have listed and sold short sale and bank owned properties many times . I just closed a short sale on Rosario for my buyer in less than 2 weeks from bank approval - it was a whirlwind. I would be happy to interview with you. You can reach me on my cell at 360-969-1560 or by e-mail at cox@windermere.com. Thank you! - Wed May 21 2008, 10:40