If you are planning to add more rooms to your home, there are a range of ideas and plans. By following some simple steps, one can not only reduce the overall cost, but it will prove wildly successful in increasing the value of your home. In most areas, adding square footage can significantly increase a home’s value if done correctly.

Many are not familiar with the different methods of construction, permitting process or even where to start. For most, adding on to their home is a daunting task, and should begin with professional advice. Like every project, clearly outlining objectives and goals is the surest way to achieve success.

One should ask themselves, “What do I want to achieve with this addition.” Maybe your family is growing, maybe you’ll be working from home and need an office, or perhaps a dependant relative may be moving in. Some may just want to add square footage to increase their homes value. Whichever scenario best fits you, it is important to do an analysis on the property to estimate the return you may have on your investment.

Once you know the scope of your investment, you must next plan your addition. Many will choose an architect to draft the additions, others will scratch out their ideas on paper themselves. I prefer using an architect as they have the experience to properly estimate materials used, proper engineering, and will ultimately result in more streamlined addition.

Arguably, one can hire the architect prior to measuring their potential return on investment, but I prefer to know my options prior to engaging an architect to avoid costly revisions. Knowing whether your return is maximized with the addition of one bedroom or three is best known before you have the plans drafted.

With the plans in hand you should begin interviewing professionals. Check with your local government on licensing and bonding requirements in your area. It’s imperative to have a licensed, bonded and insured contractors on your job site. Without proper documentation and insurance, a simple fall on your property could result in costly lawsuits that the home owner may be liable for.

Get references from all your contractors and call them. Ask them about the scope of the project they hired, the cleanliness of the job site, and the quality of the workmanship. You cannot be too careful. Your local Better Business Bureau may be of assistance too.

Lastly, do not be afraid to negotiate. There’s almost always room. Compare the bids carefully, I’ve found that the contractor who spends the most time measuring and developing an accurate estimate is usually right for the job. Be leery of contractors who walk into a room and shout out a price without unclasping his or her tape measure from their belt.

Once you’ve selected a contractor, get the deal in writing. I cannot stress this enough. Clearly outline payment milestones and insist on lien releases from suppliers prior to making any payment. In some states a supplier can lien the “project house” if the contractor fails to pay them for materials. It’s imperative to hold your contractor accountable.

If taken seriously the remodel and addition process can be highly rewarding and very enjoyable. Working methodically through the process is the sure-fire way to guarantee your success. Once finished you can enjoy your new addition knowing you made the right decisions and protected your most valuable investment: your home.

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Mobile homes often carry a stigma to homebuyers in Spokane.  However, after I spent some time previewing mobile homes for sale in the Spokane area for a client the past couple weeks,  I found many to be in great condition and the quality to be surprising.  Over the past 20 years the technology used to manufacture mobile homes has increased drastically.

After talking with several mobile home dealers in Spokane, I learned that many of the Northwest Mobiles are developed to withstand our rather unique winters [read: long, cold and lots of snow].  Flashing is increased, furnaces are beefed up an the roofs are reinforced.  This is in addition to the six inch walls that are a standard in all new mobile homes.

Older mobile homes (before 1978) are harder to finance, but with the newer ones it can be done.  It’s helpful to have a lender qualified to finance mobile homes help you along the way.  Most banks require:

1. Title to be eliminated on the home: in other words – make it real property.
2. Toe-straps or hurricane ties to be installed (this will be inspected as part of the L&I inspection see next).
3. L&I Inspection – any additions or modifications to the dwelling will need to be inspected and brought up to standard.
4. Every underwriter is different so there may be some additoinal needs and requirements.

There are some great programs that can finance Mobile homes and Land 100%.  For example, the. USDA program (although slow) can provide financing (area specific) for qualified mobile homes (Purchased from a qualified dealer), delivery and setup on bare land.  This is a great program.

There are great opportunities out there for every home buyer, you can even qualify for the first time home buyer tax credit by buyign a Mobile Home!

Tags: Spokane Real Estate by Spokane Home Guy (509) 990-7653
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Perhaps you have dreamed about owning a piece of property, building your dream home and living happily ever after. What many don’t consider is that buying raw land can be challenging and should be approached with great diligence and caution.

Unlike a home for sale, raw land may appear innocent. In most cases – large defects are readily apparent in a home. Mold, structural problems, cracks and leaks stand out and can easily be found by a qualified home inspector. In a land purchase, your problems are harder to find and usually more severe. Some questions one should ask when buying raw land.

Do I have guaranteed access to the property?
Often times a piece of land can be “Landlocked” or legal access may not be present on the parcel. Even if there appears to be a road leading to the property it may not be considered legal access documented with an easement.

Are there easements across the property benefiting other parcels?
Sometimes a previous owner may have granted access across the parcel for the benefit of another parcel. It’s helpful to know where these are as not to interfere with your future plans of building. Easements are almost always permanent (although there are ways to remove them, but that’s a different story.) I’ve found easements as old as 50-100 years that have been passed down from deed to deed.

Are there any Restrictions?
Your local title company can provide you with CC&R’s on a property upon request. If you are working with a Realtor, they should be able to assist you. CC&R’s will define any restrictions on the property. They typically have minimum home sizes, mobile home restrictions, or architectural requirements. It’s imperative to know what you can and cannot do on the property before you purchase.

Do I know where the property boundaries are?
Many times you can negotiate to have the Seller pay for a property survey. It’s not recommended that a purchase of any raw land be made without a full survey which at the very minimum, defines the corners or the shape of the property, this type of survey typically includes defining midpoints and recording at the local courthouse.

Can I get a building permit?
Call your local permitting office, explain that you are trying to purchase some raw land (they’ll probably need a parcel number or some way to identify the parcel), ask what is required on the parcel to obtain a building permit and note your findings. In some areas there are minimum sizes, road conditions or road frontage requirements needed to obtain a building permit, nothing is more frustrating than buying a property and finding out you can’t build on it.

What about utilities?
Find out where the nearest utilities are. Bringing in utilities can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the distance required to move them. If the property is in a location that is not serviced by city sewer and requires a septic system, it may helpful to obtain an engineers report on the land to determine the size and expense of the system you may be required to install.

As you can see there are a myriad of considerations when buying raw land. If one is diligent and careful a great purchase can be made, but if you are not, you could end up owning something that’s very difficult to use or develop and will ultimately be difficult to other buyers who are more diligent.

The best way to achieve success in buying raw land is to work with a Realtor or Land Specialist who is familiar with the area and legal processes of purchasing land in your area.

Tags: Articles, Idaho Real Estate, Spokane Real Estate by Spokane Home Guy (509) 990-7653
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