Add a bedroom or not?

[Curt Pennala]

Hello all. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I own a two unit property in Glen Burnie, MD. We closed on it last fall. It was a 2/2 and a 1/1. I turned a den in the 1/1 into a bedroom so it’s now a 2/1. I am now living and working on the 2/2 while renting out the 2/1.

Recent rain has caused an issue with one window in the basement. The well itself is leaking thru, which in turn makes it through the hand crank jalousie window. The window is in a raised and carpeted floor room, that has recessed lighting. I have to replace the current window and window well.

To increase the size of the window well would involve moving a sidewalk, installing a handrail, digging a massive hole, building the larger window well, cutting the basement wall to fit the new larger window, installing the window and cleaning up.

THE QUESTION: Is it worth it to add the larger window making the unit a 3/2?

I intend to sell in about a year to cash out on the equity in the property. I will do all of the work myself.

[Will Barnard]

Sounds like you need the advice from a local professional real estate agent who can provide you accurate values for the proposed bedroom increase. Once you know your total initial financial investment to perform this task, you can then decide if the numbers pencil out in your favor or not. It is ALL about the numbers.