This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

When we were in the hospital waiting for Audrey to make her appearance, we watched a lot of HGTV to distract us and pass the time. Love it or List it was on a bunch, and we noticed how often people chose to "love" their homes (I swear, 90% of the time). I think it's because, as you build memories in a home, you become emotionally attached and it's hard to let it go. I notice that myself. Our house is where Ben and I became homeowners for the first time, where Ian has grown up, where we brought Emmett and Audrey home as new babies, where we've hosted friends and family, and where I have so many sweet memories of my kids playing. We've also poured a lot of effort, money, and time into improving the house and making it the way we want. We've made it a home. So of course I'm attached! Even though our house is in a development and not super unique, it's still special and significant to us.

Image source: Pexels

I can easily see how if we'd lived in for longer, and if the property was one-of-a-kind, it would be really hard to let it go. I understand how, if the house no longer fits their needs, people would prefer to do an addition or a major renovation, rather than selling and looking for a bigger house. Probably the most common example is growing a family when you don’t want to move, so you need a new bedroom added onto the house to create space for the new baby. But that's not the only reason why you might want a home extension! If this is something you're seriously considering in 2020, custom home builders will be able to weigh in on what could work well for your specific home...but here are some ideas.

1. An In-Law Unit: Whether you anticipate needing a space for your aging parents to live with you (but still have their own independence), or whether you want a separate unit as a way to bring in rental income from Airbnb or traditional renters, I think an in-law unit is one of the smartest reasons to do a home extension. Typically, this would include a kitchenette and bathroom, along with a bedroom and small living space, so it's not going to be a cheap project...but it would cost a lot less than building a brand new house, and if you decide to rent it out then the monthly cashflow should end up paying for the addition over time.

2. A Home Gym: This might sound like a splurge, but it could end up making sense over time, especially if your family currently pays for expensive gym memberships, if you don't have a gym nearby, or if it takes up a lot of time to drive to the nearest one. With a decent investment in the room and the equipment, you can build your own home gym in your house that's perfectly suited to the way you like to work out.

3. An Added Bathroom: Besides needing another bedroom, an extra bathroom is probably the most common reason why people feel like they need a bigger house. Especially if your home only has one...it's hard to share a single bathroom, especially once you add in kids! By adding on a new bathroom, you can greatly improve your morning routine and add value to the house. Who hasn't dreamed of creating a large and luxurious master bath, complete with a soaker tub, a walk-in shower, and a spacious double vanity?

4. A Swimming Pool. Yes, you did read that correctly! Building an extension on the house for an indoor swimming pool is a way you can add value to your home and make it more fun year-round. A pool is a great way to get a workout and bond as a family! You should always check the local laws to make sure that you’re allowed to have one, that you have enough space for one.

Even if you want to stay in your house forever, it's smart to think about resale. Make sure any home extension you do will improve your house's value, in addition to making your home more enjoyable for you.

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