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 PLANNING
A RENOVATION
How
a house feels is more important than how it looks
By
Lou Manfredini
Shopping
for a home a few years ago, my wife and I knew only vaguely
what we wanted-until the real estate agent walked us up to
a slightly tired-looking brick Georgian.
The place
was far from trendy; in fact, it had been built back when
FDR was president. There was no hot tub in the back yard,
no "family recycling center," and no skylights.
But as we stepped inside on that wintry day, I closed the
two-inch thick front door behind us and heard a sturdy "thunk"-like
an old Mercedes. "This is the house!" I instantly
whispered to my wife. "What are you talking about-we
haven't even been through it!" she responded. But I persisted.
"I'm telling you, this is the house!"
And I
was right. "Which doesn't happen often." With my
wife's enthusiastic approval, we bought the place-metal kitchen
cabinets and all--the next day. Lots of people, especially
real estate agents, think they can define exactly how a house
should be renovated and decorated to maximize the resale value,
but I think that's all nonsense. Because when it comes down
to it, the only thing that's truly important in a house is
the way it feels-solid, not tinny; a place that will stand
up for the ages, rather than fall apart before the next winter.
And when you're renovating and maintaining a home of your
own, it's a lot better to let yourself be guided by that rather
than trying to add a few haphazard things you think will attract
future buyers.
The first
challenge, whatever renovations you plan, is to hire the best
contractor. Don't just take a recommendation from someone.
Instead, go out and find several candidates for the job, have
them come to your home, and talk to them. And be prepared
to wait, since good contractors tend to be continuously busy
(and if they aren't, how good can they be?).
As for
what you renovate, the choice is yours. If an enlarged family
entryway with coat hooks for the kids and shelves for their
shoes means more to you than a granite-topped island in the
kitchen, go for it. If you've always dreamed of a bathroom
lined with fuchsia-colored Mexican tiles, rather than the
neutral shades preferred by real estate agents, who's to stop
you? Just make sure you that whatever you do, you buy the
best materials you can afford, and spend the money to have
them installed perfectly. Sloppiness is always offensive,
but good craftsmanship-regardless of the style, taste, or
decor-never is.
Although
I hate to think about it, I know someday when we're old my
wife and I won't have any trouble selling our home if we have
to. The new buyers will surely quibble over our color schemes
and choice in carpeting. But when that front door closes,
they'll know-as I did-that the best home really is a castle.
---
This article
originally appeared in USA Weekend magazine.
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