Whether you’ve lived in your home for 5 years or 25 years, finding yourself in a situation where your home simply isn’t meeting your needs is frustrating. Perhaps it’s an outdated bathroom with a space-hogging jacuzzi tub that is never used or a kitchen that makes daily meals with your family of five a crowded affair. Whatever the case, moments of frustration often have homeowners wondering if moving to a new home or remodeling their existing home is a better decision.
As both a co-founder of White Birch Design and a realtor with RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Steve McDonald offers a rare blend of home remodeling and real estate expertise—an invaluable perspective for homeowners who find themselves at a crossroads. “I always tell homeowners that while every situation is unique, there are three questions I recommend you contemplate when facing a move/remodel decision,” says Steve. “While the answers won’t give you a concrete answer, they can help illuminate considerations that you might not have taken into account.”
What to Consider When Deciding Whether to Move or Remodel
So, what should homeowners consider when contemplating a move or remodel? Below are three questions Steve recommends asking yourself. “These are questions that I find are most helpful to homeowners,” comments Steve. “Even if you decide not to go with the advice listed below, you’ll feel better knowing that you did your homework and ultimately feel more at peace with whatever decision you land on.”
Question #1: Do you love your neighborhood?
“This is the question most homeowners are most surprised by,” says Steve. “But if you love your neighborhood and your neighbors, that may be something that is hard to replicate.” If you live close to shops and stores you love, have supportive neighbors, or have a nature-filled backyard that you adore, remodeling your existing home to better suit your style or needs will deliver the updates you desire while allowing you to continue to enjoy the unique benefits your home’s location offers.
Question #2: How long do you plan on staying in the area?
Have plans to move to a new city or area in the next few years? It may make more sense to move up your moving timeline rather than remodel. While you will recapture a portion of your remodeling costs, you won’t recapture all of your costs. It may make sense to move sooner rather than invest the money in your current home. On the flip side, if you plan on staying in your current home for a while, the sooner you remodel, the longer you’ll have to enjoy your renovated home, maximizing the personal ‘returns’ a remodel offers.
Question #3: Can the issues with your home be addressed with a remodel rather than a move?
If you love your neighborhood and plan on staying in the area for a while, the next step is to have a conversation with a remodeler to determine if the concerns you have with your current home are addressable.
Is your home simply dated and tired, that is something that can certainly be addressed with a remodel. While the investment is significant, it’s often much cheaper than moving.
Oftentimes, a homeowner’s concerns are related to function. Perhaps you are getting older and want changes that will make it easier to age in place. “Updates like main floor laundry and accessible bathrooms are often times easier that do than homeowners think,” says Steve. “From kitchens with better flow and function to adding a mudroom, we’ve surprised homeowners more times than we can count by presenting solutions and ideas they never dreamed were possible.”
Researching Your Options
At White Birch Design, our motto is ‘Love where you live’. For those feeling a level of frustration with their home, it can be easy to get hung up on the idea that moving is your only option. But with the current market, it’s worth researching all your options. “Those who have owned their home for 20+ years are often surprised to learn that even with downsizing, they may need to spend more to purchase a newer home,” says Steve. “Others who have purchased homes in the last 5-6 years will find that letting go of their low interest rates is going to have more impact on their monthly payments than they realized.”
While the factors above are important, it’s important to note sometimes a move does make the most sense. According to Steve, “It pays to talk with both a realtor and a remodeler before making a final decision. Having these conversations can provide you with valuable insight and options that you may have not considered.”
Steve’s unique background in both industries has been an amazing resource for our clients at White Birch Design. Steve shares, “Since I wear both hats, realtor and remodeler, I offer homeowners an unbiased viewpoint that helps them make a decision that is truly in their best interest.” When asked why he works both jobs, Steve answers, “Helping homeowners create or find a home they love is something I am truly passionate about. I love that I can help them with whatever decision they decide on and I think my clients appreciate that I am an informed and knowledgeable resource they can count on.”
Your Kitchen, Bath and Home Remodelers
Feeling dissatisfied with your current space but unsure where to begin? Start with a call to Steve and the team at White Birch Design. With decades of combined experience, we specialize in uncovering the hidden potential in every home. Whether it’s a kitchen remodel, a bathroom remodel, a lower-level renovation, or other home renovations, we guide homeowners through every step—from design to construction—to create spaces they truly love. Our solutions bring both beauty and functionality, and we’re committed to making the process seamless with clear communication and exceptional customer service.
Contact our Lakeville, MN remodelers today, and let’s begin transforming your home into a space you’ll love living in!
