Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – November 28, 2015
EMPTY-NESTING: REPURPOSING YOUR CHILD’S OLD ROOM
As a parent, you know one day it will happen: Your kids will leave the nest and head out on their own, and you’ll be left with an extra room (or two). When that happens, the desire to reclaim the space as something completely indulgent and personal is understandable – after raising children, you deserve to be indulged. But if you’re planning to sell, swapping out a bedroom for a craft room, office or gym may not be a good idea, especially if your home has just three bedrooms.
Three-bedroom homes are most often bought by families with kids, and when buyers visit your home, they want to imagine living there. Even though the changes you make may all be superficial, like having a desk instead of a bed, it can still be harder for buyers to place themselves (and their kids) in that space. Before making any permanent changes to a “spare” room, ask your agent if it could have an impact on your sale. In the meantime, you can still enjoy a home office or craft space – just consider adding a foldable desk or craft table that can be easily removed once your home goes on the market.