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Home Appraisal Tips & Advice
California Home Values and Property Taxes: Are the Laws What They Should Be?December 22, 2008
California is once again rethinking Proposition 13, the law that bases home property taxes on the purchase price of a house. Will a new property tax law pass? California Home Values Are Falling: Can There Be an Upside?
September 30, 2008
Home sale prices are down and most people have seen a loss of home value in their neighborhood. Can there be a hidden benefit? Selling Your Home Successfully in Today's Market
September 8, 2008
Yes, the home selling market has slowed in the past year; however, houses are still being purchased on a daily basis. What is the secret to successful home selling? Outdoor Kitchens Can Add Value and Convenience
By Karen LawsonHome Worth Columnist
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If you enjoy your patio and yard more than staying indoors, an outdoor kitchen can provide a convenient way to cook, dine, and entertain.
Consider the following before undertaking an outdoor kitchen addition, which can be expensive but really enhance the enjoyment of your home.
- Your home's present value: Free home values are widely available online. A local real estate professional can provide more specific information about desirable home improvements according regional market trends. Knowing your home's present value is also useful in planning financing for your project.
- Return on Investment: Unless you plan to keep your home indefinitely, you'll want to have an idea of how much your project will cost, and how much it will add to home value. Typically, real estate experts advise against "over improving" your home as compared with homes in your neighborhood.
- Climate and Lifestyle: Outdoor kitchen design and installation can be a costly project. If you can only enjoy your new kitchen a few months a year, you may want to scale down the project and forego a lavish and costly design that won't be used most of the year.
- Market Trends in Your Area: An online home value calculator can give you an idea of your home's value, but local real estate professionals can advise which home improvements add value, and attract buyers. Real estate brokers and agents may also be able to recommend contractors, vendors, and suppliers for your project.
About the Author
Karen Lawson is a freelance writer with extensive experience in mortgage banking. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.