Living Through a Home Remodel

Except for a few lots in San Joaquin Hills, the city of Laguna Niguel is built out. I believe there are also some custom build lots in South Peak and Laguna Sur. There are a lot of homes built in the 70s, like the Niguel Hills area, with no HOA fees and larger lots. The 1980s was a very active building time. Neighborhoods like Rolling Hills, Beacon Hill, Niguel Summit and Rancho Niguel were mostly built in the mid to late 80s. The newest neighborhoods are San Joaquin Hills and Hillcrest Estates.

While location and views are always on the top of the list for most buyers, the condition is obviously very important. Some things are more difficult to update, like small closets, low ceilings and small garages. This becomes more like functional obsolescence.  I showed two beautifully located homes today, built in the late 80s, which had limited upgrades. One property had all new expensive flooring but the cabinetry was untouched in the kitchen and baths, and the windows were original. The other property had some new windows and even a small addition to the home but everything else was original (and “tired”, I like to say).

Maybe it is because my wife and I are living through a bathroom remodel right now that all this come to mind again. Our mid 80s home has had a new roof, new windows, new furnace and new kitchen. Oh, I forgot the slab leak that we had to live through.  Nothing high-end mind you, but we’ve still spent around $70k. Now we have the pleasure of ripping out bathrooms and I am once again reminded that in addition to the cost of a remodel, one must survive it as well.

My point is obvious. If you are listing your home and looking at comparable sales you must look at the amount of upgrades in the home, because the buyers certainly will. As a Realtor I find myself saying, “Oh ,that is easy to change.” Not really. I can’t even count the times my buyers have said to me, “Been there, done that – don’t want to remodel again.”