Newbies and Additions - recipe for disaster or win?

[Sarah Vanelli]

I'm looking at a home in a great neighborhood. It is 1000 sqft with 3 bed/1 bath. To really sell it quickly and easily, I think it needs to be 1300 at the very minimum, and have a master suite (so that 2nd bathroom). Also, the detached 2-car garage should be an attached garage because this is the Northeast... the garage is standing next to the house and it seems easy to put up wall or a room and connect them. I can see it in my head. But, I am new to investing, no contractor experience, and haven't bought a home yet. Aside from the addition, this is an ugly house that needs considerable work.

What kind of money, time, headache, etc goes into doing an addition? I gotta admit, I kind of fell in love with this ugly house and once it gets an addition to solve some of these problems, I think it could be a real gem that buyers fight over.