Are
you thinking of making home improvements?
If the answer is yes, you
should be cautious when making the decision, since not all renovations or
improvements increase the value of the property, according to Carlos Santiago
Flores, president of the Institute of Evaluators of Puerto Rico.
"The improvements that
contribute to the value of the property are those that improve its
functionality," said the appraiser with 17 years of experience.
These modifications,
according to the expert, "take the physical condition of the property to
the highest level of the market."
"By assessing it and
comparing it with the others, you will take that house closer to the maximum
values of that type of property," he said.
He clarified that there are
instances in which the modifications that add square footage to the residence
do not increase its value. As an example, he mentioned the construction of an
additional room. "If additions are built and construction and zoning codes
are not met, that affects the value of the property," he said.
That is why he recommended
hiring an architect or engineer whenever major modifications are going to work,
since these professionals know the building codes and ensure that the
improvement to be carried out complies with them.
Among
the home improvements that increase the value of housing, Santiago Flores
mentioned:
1.
Bathroom remodeling
2.Change
cabinets or modernize the kitchen
3.
Build a roofed terrace
4.If
you have the space to do so, extend the canopy so that another vehicle fits
5.Add
a room that meets building codes
6.
"If you add a room, it is advisable to also add a bath," said the
expert.
7.
"The tanks and fixed power plants, well installed, give greater efficiency
to the property," he said.