Blog > Should You Get an Appraisal Before Making Major Home Repairs in St. Charles County?
Should You Get an Appraisal Before Making Major Home Repairs in St. Charles County?
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If you are considering spending thousands of dollars on a kitchen, bathroom, roof, flooring, or other major improvements, there is an important question to ask first:
Will the work actually add enough value to justify the cost?
For some homeowners, a professional appraisal before making major improvements can provide valuable information about the property’s current market value, condition, and how similar homes are selling in the area.
This can be especially useful if you may sell, refinance, divide an estate, make a private property transaction, or simply want a better understanding of the property before investing more money into it.
Considering major improvements to a property in St. Charles County or the St. Louis Metro Area?
Request an appraisal quote before deciding how much to invest.
Why Get an Appraisal Before Renovating?
Homeowners sometimes assume that spending $30,000 on improvements automatically increases a home's value by $30,000.
Unfortunately, real estate doesn't always work that way.
The impact of an improvement can depend on:
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The property's current condition
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Recent comparable home sales
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The neighborhood
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Buyer expectations
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The type and quality of the renovation
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How much similar homes in the area are actually selling for
An appraisal provides an independent valuation based on the property and relevant market evidence rather than relying only on renovation costs or online estimates.
Which Repairs Are Worth Making?
There isn't one answer that applies to every property.
For example, replacing a badly damaged roof may be much more important than installing expensive luxury finishes that are unusual for the neighborhood.
A homeowner in O'Fallon or Wentzville may face a different market than someone improving a property in another part of the St. Louis Metro Area.
Before making a large investment, consider three questions:
1. What Is the Property Worth Right Now?
Knowing the current value gives you a starting point.
Without that baseline, it can be difficult to determine whether additional improvements make financial sense.
2. How Does the Home Compare With Similar Properties?
Comparable sales can show what buyers have recently paid for homes with similar:
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Size
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Condition
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Location
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Features
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Updates
This is often more useful than simply asking, “How much will this renovation cost?”
3. Why Are You Making the Improvements?
Your strategy may be different depending on whether you plan to:
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Stay in the home long term
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Refinance
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Complete an estate settlement
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Conduct a private sale
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Determine the property's current value for another purpose
If the decision involves a substantial amount of money, having a professional valuation first may help you make a more informed decision.
Don't Assume Every Improvement Adds Equal Value
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is over-improving a property for its market.
A renovation may look great without producing the same increase in market value as its cost.
That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't make the improvement. Enjoyment, maintenance, safety, and functionality also matter.
But if property value is one of your main reasons for doing the work, it makes sense to understand the numbers first.
Jacob Geringer brings the perspective of both a Certified Residential Appraiser and real estate Broker/Realtor, with more than 26 years of local real estate experience. That combination can be particularly helpful when evaluating property condition, comparable sales, improvements, and local market value.
Before committing to a major renovation, find out where your property currently stands.
An Appraisal Can Help You Make a Decision — Not Make It for You
An appraisal isn't a remodeling plan, and it doesn't guarantee that a particular project will produce a specific return.
What it can provide is a professionally developed opinion of value based on relevant market information.
That gives homeowners a better foundation for deciding whether to:
Repair → Renovate → Leave the property as-is → Refinance → Sell → Hold
Instead of making a major property decision based entirely on assumptions, you can start with a clearer understanding of the property's current value.
Need to Know What Your Property Is Worth?
If you own a home in St. Charles, O'Fallon, St. Peters, Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, or the surrounding St. Charles County and St. Louis Metro Area, a professional appraisal can help you better understand its current market value before making a major financial decision.
Get professional valuation guidance for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth getting an appraisal before renovating a house?
It can be, particularly when the planned improvements are expensive or property value is an important part of the decision. An appraisal establishes the home's current value and provides market context before you invest additional money.
Does a renovation increase a home's value by the amount it costs?
Not necessarily. The effect on market value depends on the improvement, property, neighborhood, quality of the work, and what similar homes are selling for.
Can an appraiser tell me exactly which repairs I should make?
An appraiser's primary role is to develop an opinion of property value rather than act as a remodeling contractor. However, the appraisal can help you understand the property's condition, market position, and comparable sales before making renovation decisions.
When should I order the appraisal?
Ideally, obtain the appraisal before committing to substantial repairs or renovations if knowing the property's current market value could affect how much you decide to invest.
Where does MarketPoint Realty provide appraisal-related guidance?
MarketPoint Realty primarily serves homeowners throughout St. Charles County and the greater St. Louis Metro Area, including communities such as St. Charles, O'Fallon, St. Peters, Wentzville, and Lake St. Louis.
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