In article , Bill says...

About 20 years ago, I would have said to remodel.

But these days it is very expensive to remodel. And ridiculously expensive
to pay someone else to do it. i.e. $30,000.00 kitchen remodel jobs,
$5,000.00 just for the kitchen countertop, etc.

So I would advise you to look at homes for sale and see what you like, see
if you can afford what you want, then make a decision. If you buy a home
which already has the features you want, then you will know in advance how
much it will cost. Every project I get involved with for my home
(do-it-yourself) winds up costing a whole lot more than I ever imagined.



On the other hand, to refurbish a new space to one's comfort (no remods, but
replacing carpet, refinishing floors, etc.) costs more than usually imagined,
too. Even new construction with options bought - everyone I know ends up
replacing and refurbishing within a few years, and there are decks and
landscaping to be added, etc.

I dunno what's right. It's really a question of what path gets one to where one
wants to be, within what one can afford and tolerate.

I'm biased toward remodelling, if the location/neighborhood is good. A change
to either of these can lead to unexpected surprises. (But a crappy neighbor can
move in, too, but that's a smaller risk than swapping out the whole
neighborhood!)

Banty