Add on or move?

10 years ago

Let's say you have a little house, not quite 900 square feet, and wind up letting a friend who's having a tough time rent what was the spare room. How do you decide whether to add on or just move? I like the house and the neighborhood, but the space is getting cramped, and I'd also like to have an enclosed, private area where my cats and I can hang out without their being exposed to the outdoors and without me being exposed to the extreme Florida heat and humidity. Is it weird to have a little house with both a front and a back porch? This is my first house and I'm at a loss. Thank you kindly.

Featured Answer

User

10 years ago

It's your house? And you'd like to have a front porch and a back porch? You are wondering if that's OK? Go into the bathroom. Close the door. Have this discussion with yourself. If yourself says no, don't do it. If yourself says yes, start collecting inspiration pictures.

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Comments (10)

scone911
10 years ago
How about a screened porch with deep eaves and ceiling fan? If you build it with sliding glass doors, you can put an air conditioner in there.
Lavender Lass
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Is your friend moving with you? Do you see this as a permanent relationship? Or at least renting out part of your space as permanent?
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JustDoIt
10 years ago
Not enough info to provide an opinion. Beside lavender's question about how long the roommate is going to be with you:

a. How much equity do you have in your property?

b. If you added on, could you get your money back if you later decided to sell? What is the value of other properties in the neighborhood? You don't want to have the most expensive house.

c. Is the lack of a screen porch the only negative in the property? Does it meet your other needs?
mushcreek
10 years ago
The neighborhoods I lived in in FL all had houses that were very similar in size, design, and quality. They were also very close in price, so if you added on or up-graded, you quickly overbuilt for the neighborhood, and couldn't recoup your investment. We were going to do that in an older neighborhood, but moved instead. Best decision we ever made.

In the rural area I live now, there is no 'standard' house, with new expensive houses mixed in with run-down mobile homes. If you really like it, money may not matter, but most folks move eventually.
PRO
dark horse home care
10 years ago
Move out of Florida. Go buy property somewhere on the west coast and just build a small home again.
phoggie
10 years ago
I have both front and back porches and love it!....go for it if that is what you want.
thatvegan thanked phoggie
thatvegan
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, everybody. I do Iike my little house enough to expand it a bit, I think. I've been looking around online and on Pinterest and haven't gotten much inspiration, so I think I might need some professional advice on what would work and look best. Would you suggest a general contractor for this? An architect?
PRO
dark horse home care
10 years ago
Look inward for inspiration. What sorts of things do you enjoy? What types of places do you seek out? Figure that out then go from there. Above all else, be realistic.
Shades_of_idaho
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I have a front porch and a tiny little back patio. I rarely have time to use either one but do enjoy walking through both. The back patio is totally private and I LOVE that part of it. It is also cooler and shaded. Front porch has hot afternoon sun.

Covered front porch was about 6K and it is on full foundation. Back patio about 10 by 10 was under 200 dollars and I did laid the pavers for it myself. Yah and it looks it too. HA.

Front Porch

Other side of front porch

Tiny back patio