Remodel/Convert Dining Room Into a Bedroom
by by Tim
(Cicero, NY)
We want to turn our formal dining room into a fourth bedroom, but we were curious if it would negatively affect our resale value. Will it?
Comments for Remodel/Covert Dining Room Into a Bedroom
Keep the formal dining room
by: Anonymous
I'm not a real estate professional, but I'd say don't do it. The popularity of the Food Channel and the increasing number of foodie shows on other networks shows that making and serving food has become hot with a lot of people. Even though busy professionals may buy more prepared foods now, they are looking at more interesting choice and presentations. Even non-cooks have parties, have the boss to dinner, etc., etc., and that really requires a formal dining room. No matter how nice an eat-in kitchen may be, it's not a formal dining room.
Remodeling Can Be a Tricky Thing
by: Lanard Perry
Tim, determining the impact of such a remodeling project on your home's resale value is complex. It depends on various factors. Based on my experience in the real estate industry selling, buying, renovating, and flipping homes, I'd say proceed with caution, as converting your dining room into a bedroom is "iffy" at best and might not pay off in terms of the resale value you might like.
So, let's do an assessment! How cramped are you for space? How long will you live in the house after the conversion? How much is the conversion going to cost? Are formal dining rooms selling features of homes in your neighborhood? Are four bedrooms more popular than three bedrooms in your market?
Another aspect to consider is the potential disruption to the house's natural traffic flow, which means the ease and convenience with which people move around in the house. Converting a formal dining room into a bedroom might not align with the original layout, making it hard to affect smooth movement within the home. This could be a significant drawback for potential buyers, as it can make the house feel less functional and less appealing.
Another question is: Will it look and feel out of place? Will the walls and doors be oddly and noticeably out of place? Will the bedroom inhabitants have to cross living and eating spaces to get to and from bathrooms? These are important considerations as they can significantly impact your home's traffic flow and visual appeal.
Those are some of the questions you need to ask yourself. However, sometimes, a homeowner's assessment of their property can be clouded. That's why having 2 to 3 different Realtors come through and give you their take on the matter is a good idea. Most will do it without cost for the chance of doing business with you. This will provide you with various professional opinions, thereby enabling you to make a more informed decision.
Listen closely to what they say when they come and align it with what you know in your gut. For example, the last home I sold had mildew in the master bedroom shower stall when I began showing it to the public. I knew it but had yet to clean it like I should have. I dismissed it as something that potential buyers would think little of.
And you know what? Only one agent was courageous enough to say something about it, and I liked that about them so much that I listed my property for sale with them.
To recap, your decision to remodel is risky and could adversely affect the resale value of your home. Consequently, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of your remodeling decisions on the value of your property.
Maybe others will chime in and tell you what they think! Here's to the best outcome, whatever you decide to do. Lanard Perry
Please Review This Artice About Home Improvements / by Lanard
Tim - I stumbled upon an article that sheds additional light on your question about whether converting a formal dining room into a bedroom could hurt your resale value.
The article explains that owners are recouping less than 68% of dollars spent on remodeling projects. So, if you spent $10,000.00 on the conversion, you could only expect to receive approximately $6,800.00 of it. However, it's important to note that not all remodeling projects are risky. For instance, a well-executed kitchen renovation or bathroom upgrade can often yield a higher return on investment.
Here's the link. Please copy and paste it into your browser so you can read it.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/2009-12-31-think-twice-before-you-start-that-home-improvement-project.html
I hope this helps.
Lanard
