During the last century homeownership has grown from 46% in 1900 to 68% in 2007. Along with this growth in homeownership comes the inevitable potential change of value resulting from an outside force such as a building project. These projects range from roads to prisons to schools to airports but not every project has a positive impact on building values in the area. Some that, on the surface, would seem to have a positive impact can actually produce the opposite affect.
According to Allen Wright, co-author of the new cutting-edge Certified Neighborhood Specialist (CNS) course, knowing where to find future building project information is the first step. ?Understanding and being able to present those potential impacts is part two of the role a ?Neighborhood Expert? plays in the home buying and selling process,? he says.
A new prison is to be built; in some areas this would have a negative impact on property values, such as a suburban community of a large metropolitan area. This negative impact is due to the stigma of having the incarcerated next to neighborhoods of families and the potential for a prison break. The same prison being built in a rural area would bring jobs to the area may actually have the opposite affect on property values.
The first step is the simplest and involves a little research to find the local source for potential building projects. Most city-planning departments have future building projects posted on their website. If not, make it a point to research how you can be notified of projects that come about.
The second step involves finding third-party data on the pros and cons of the building project. It is not the responsibility of the real estate professional to render an opinion, but rather to present the facts. For example, a statement that might be construed incorrectly would be that of an airport closure that would relieve the area of airport noise. However, if the area home prices are based on proximity to the airport, the perceived increase in value because of less noise would be incorrect.
Real estate agents who wish to be known as ?Neighborhood Experts? should therefore know to research future building projects and identify those projects that may have on the property values affecting the areas in which they specialize.
According to Andrew Leech, a spokesperson for the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), investing money into refurbishing rooms or getting an extension could see Britons substantially increase the worth of their home when looking to make a sale. And with a home improvement loan one possible way of financing such a project, Mr Leech advised those looking to borrow money as a means of carrying out work to be careful not to off-shoot the value of their property, by putting it above the price bracket of homes selling in that area. Owners were also advised to ensure that any home improvement proposals are granted planning permission by the local authorities.
It was also suggested that investing in insulation can help consumers reduce their heating costs, which in the long-run could help them lessen pressure on their finances and so service utility bills, personal loans and other demands on their spending with greater ease. "You are going to save a considerable amount on your heating bill, so it's not such a question of saving the planet; you are going to save your pocket as well", the NHIC representative added. Meanwhile, homeowners should also look to make sure that they have the minimum requirement of loft insulation put in place when looking to make renovations, with cavity wall insulation stated as another way helping to reduce heating costs.
However, he advised those considering taking a home improvement loan to fund renovation work should "think sensibly" about their plans and look to avoid anything that could make prospective borrowers "scream" when they come to view a property. Mr Leech recommended consumers should keep changes to bathrooms and kitchens to a minimum, to opt for a look which is "pretty neutral" and fill rooms with good-quality appliances.
In addition, retaining original features of homes, such as Edwardian or Victorian fireplaces which were produced by professional craftsman, was asserted as having the potential to "add value to the property". Meanwhile, opting for replicas of classic light structures such as lamps and chandeliers was also advised as a way of increasing the worth of a home, although Mr Leech warned that those who discover that they have old light fittings may have to get their property rewired. As for windows, the NHIC spokesperson stated that homeowners should attempt to keep as close to the original architectural designs of the house as possible.
Consequently, taking the time to find the best homeowner loan could be a wise option for those looking to boost the value of their property via renovation work. In research carried out by Halifax earlier this year, a quarter of homeowners undertaking such projects over the past year have done so with the specific purpose of increasing their accommodation's worth. Meanwhile, a third state that adding new furnishings to their home will raise its value by some 10,000 pounds
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