Is it better to add on or move when you need more space in Ann Arbor? For many Ann Arbor homeowners, a home addition costs less and disrupts life less than selling and buying in the same neighborhood, once you factor in closing costs, moving expenses, and starting over somewhere new. The right room addition can fix what frustrates you about your current home while keeping you in the community you already love.
- Moving carries hidden costs (closing, staging, inspections, moving) that a home addition sidesteps entirely.
- Both paths cause disruption, but an addition improves the home you know while moving changes your whole daily routine.
- Keep reading to weigh the cost, disruption, and long-term value of each option before you decide.
You might love your neighborhood but still feel frustrated with your home. It might start to feel like moving is the only solution, but finding a larger home in the area you know and love might be impossible. Plus, a new home brings closing costs, a new mortgage, and new projects after moving in.
Could a home addition be a better option? It could fix what frustrates you about your home. And while you have to live through a bit of construction, it could keep you in the community you know and love.
When it comes to home additions in Ann Arbor vs. moving, which option makes the most sense for your household?
Could your home benefit from a new addition? Schedule a consultation with MBK Constructors and discover what’s possible for your Ann Arbor home.
Is Moving Really the Less Expensive Option?
The price tag of a larger home is only part of the cost of moving. Redfin reported that this spring, the average sale price of homes in Ann Arbor was around $485,000. If you roughly estimate closing costs of between 3-5% of the sale price, you are looking at up to $25,000 in closing costs alone.
You’ll also need to find money for
- Preparing your current home for the market
- Moving expenses
- Inspection costs
After you move, the new property may need work, so you’ll need to budget for that as well.
Additions come with their own cost, of course. Depending on the scope of your addition, you might need foundational or structural work, too. Fixtures and finishes add to the final price tag as well.
To determine which is really the less expensive option, you need to compare the cost of creating the space you need where you are versus the cost of selling, buying, financing, and moving into another home.
Which Option Creates More Disruption?
Neither option is disruption-free:
| Living Through an Addition | Selling and Moving |
| Construction noise, dust, and temporary loss of part of the homePossible interruptions to kitchens, bathrooms, utilities, or entrancesA defined project period that may require temporary living adjustments | Repairs, decluttering, staging, and keeping the home ready for showingsCoordinating a sale and purchasePacking, storage, movers, and unpackingAdjusting to a new commute, school route, services, and community |
Everyone has a different tolerance for disruption. You might love the idea of learning a new neighborhood and dread the thought of construction noise. But for a lot of people, the difference comes down to the outcome. Construction improves the home you already know, while moving changes everything about your daily routine.
How Much Space Do You Actually Need to Add?
Sometimes people think that when their home starts to feel too small, they need to add a massive amount of square footage to it to make it feel right again. That’s not always the case. Sometimes a carefully planned home addition can relieve the pressure without dramatically increasing the size.
First, you need to determine whether you need to solve a specific problem or change how the home actually functions.
Smaller additions can help solve a specific problem, such as adding
- Mudrooms or more functional entryways
- Home offices
- Expanded dining areas
- Kitchen or family room bump-outs
- Enclosed porches or four-season rooms
It might take a slightly larger addition to change how your home functions. These additions could include
- Multi-room rear or side additions
- Private primary suites
- Second-story additions
- In-law or multigenerational living spaces
MBK can help with both targeted room additions and larger expansions. If you aren’t sure which is better suited for your goals, we can help you evaluate your current space and come up with a carefully designed plan that solves the frustrations you have with your current floor plan.
Does Moving or Staying Make More Sense?
If you love your Ann Arbor neighborhood, it can be tough to give up. You might have a great commute to work or a school community that supports your family. There are some Ann Arbor neighborhoods where people stay put for the rest of their lives once they move in because they are just that special.
Staying in your current home may be a better financial option, too. You might be in an area where homes are appreciating quickly, so you’ll have more purchasing power in the future. Or you might not be in a position to purchase a larger home in a desirable neighborhood. Your best option may be to stay put and find out how to make your current property work better.
Moving may be a better choice when:
- Your neighborhood no longer serves the needs of your household.
- Your lot isn’t suitable for the home addition you’d need.
- You want more land or a different type of property.
- Your existing home would need extensive structural or mechanical work.
- You don’t plan on staying in the neighborhood or area long-term.
Ultimately, this is a personal decision that comes down to what’s best for you and your household, and only you can decide which is best.
What Could Your Current Home Become?
Needing more space doesn’t mean you need a new address. When you live in a great neighborhood that works for your family, it can be worth investing in your current property to create a space that will serve you for many years to come.
Look beyond construction estimates and listing prices. Consider the full financial and emotional impact of both options before you decide.
If it turns out a home addition is the best way forward, we’d love to help. We work with Ann Arbor homeowners on both smaller and large-scale additions. You can schedule a site visit with our team to explore what’s possible with your current home.
