Only Certain Home Improvements Pay Off, Appraisal Institute Says

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Jun 11, 2013, 09:00 ET

CHICAGO, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Appraisal Institute, the nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today advised homeowners to use discretion when deciding which home improvement projects to take on, saying that not all renovations positively impact property values.

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"Projects that take a home significantly beyond community norms are often not worth the cost when the owner sells the home," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, they'll be considered excessive."

According to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report, some of the projects with the highest expected return on investment are siding replacement, entry door replacement, attic bedroom addition, minor kitchen remodel and garage door replacement. Other renovations with high expected pay-offs include basement remodel, deck addition and window replacement.

Borges advised homeowners that it may be best to hold off on big renovations if a homeowner isn't sure how long they will be in their home. The longer a homeowner stays in a property, the greater the opportunity for a return on investment, he said.

"Consumers should be aware that cost does not necessarily equal value," he added.

For an unbiased analysis of what their home would be worth both before and after an improvement project, a homeowner can work with a professional real estate appraiser – such as a Designated member of the Appraisal Institute – to conduct a feasibility study.

During a feasibility study, the appraiser will analyze the homeowner's property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property's value before and after the improvement.

Some green and energy-efficient renovations, such as adding Energy Star appliances and extra insulation, are likely to pay the homeowner back in lowered utility bills relatively quickly. Lower utility costs also are a draw for potential homebuyers. When appraising a home, the appraiser evaluates local supply and demand for green and energy-efficient properties and features.

The Appraisal Institute offers a free, informative brochure titled "Remodeling & Rehabbing," which provides consumers with valuable advice on home remodeling.

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The Appraisal Institute is a global professional association of real estate appraisers, with nearly 23,000 professionals in almost 60 countries. Its mission is to advance professionalism and ethics, global standards, methodologies, and practices through the professional development of property economics worldwide. Organized in 1932, the Appraisal Institute advocates equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in the appraisal profession and conducts its activities in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Individuals of the Appraisal Institute benefit from an array of professional education and advocacy programs, and may hold the prestigious MAI, SRPA and SRA designations. Learn more at www.appraisalinstitute.org.

SOURCE Appraisal Institute