Q. We are considering selling our home in the next year and have been watching a lot of HGtv and DIY. All those shows seem to say the same thing...update your home to increase value. I'd like to have someone come to our home to let us know what we would list our house for today and what additions, changes, remodeled areas would add value to our home so that if we do sell it, we'd be able to make money on those changes. And, if we don't sell, we'd be able to enjoy those changes for years to come. So, who would we talk to about this? A real estate agent? An appraiser? I know that an appraiser would charge a fee, but what would a real estate agent expect? Would it be a fee or a signed contract to sell the house if we do decide to sell?

A. Contact a local Real Estate agent (since an appraisal isn't for value to sell it's for the lender to determine financing) Tell the agent you want to know what your home would sell for realistically NOW but that you are debating whether or not to sell/list now. The CMA should be FREE. You are under no obligation to use that Realtor and for an agent to do some local comps for you only takes a short visit to your home (to see it) then run the info through the PC. If and when you decide to sell - then to list as a seller you pay all the commissions (and the amount is negotiable) average listing commissions run from 4-7%. Remodeling and updates don't always pay back at 100% of your cost to implement them so paint, new carpet, updated appliances, etc are good things but don't tear down bearing walls or anything expensive for updates. The same agent who helps you comp it out should be able to give you realistic remodeling expectations as well for your area. Good Luck

Q. My wife and I are first time home buyers in California. We finally found the home we loved after months of searching and put an offer in that was accepted. We are currently in Escrow only to find out that there was an addition made to the home that the sellers never got a permit for. This has raised some big concerns for me. I don't want to move forward with purchasing the house if there were additions made that don't have permits because I don't know who did the additions and/or if they were done to building codes, or are safe for my family to be around. I'm curious if any of you experts can give me your sage advice on what I should do about this. We really love this house and don't want this to be a deal breaker, but I don't think the sellers are willing to acquire the necessary permits for the addition. Thank you so much in advance for all your help!

A. It would be a deal breaker for me. The city can make you tear it down. Also your homeowners insurance can get out of paying a claim because part of the house is not legal.

Q. Do additions (structural and attached) eventually change the classification of a manufactured home for refinancing and insurance purposes? At what point does this happen? Our house is no longer what I would consider mobile at all! lol We are in a very rural setting and the building has been done to code although no inspections were required. The home is a 2003 model. The addition does have foooters and a foundation.

A. It would change when the county inspects it and decides it is no longer a trailer. The odds of that happening are close to zero. How many of those "attachments" even have building permits?

Q. I am looking to do a remodel and possibly a home addition on a home I have lived in the past 10 years. Does anyone know of a reliable business or a way to find a reliable company that is the Raleigh/Cary/Apex, NC area?

A. Http://www.nari.org/level2/homeowners/.. try this site.

Q. I got a home remodeling company.it's your one stop home improvement,from roof 2 da floor.additions,tile,carpet,concreate,paint n sheetrock etc.

A. Contact every bank in your area and tell them you are willing to do a l2p program. Real estate brokers do not want the public knowing about it because it cuts them out.

Q. We want to add a garage w/ bonus room, and extend out back with an additional room or two. Will require HVAC upgrades. What can I expect to pay / square foot?

A. $60 per sq ft basic. $100 gets you luxury. Can you do any of it yourself? /

Q. Do you have any good ideas for building a greenhouse?

A. I only have good ideas on what to fill greenhouses with :)

Q. I'm looking to find out if there is some type of knowledgebase website. I want something that deals with building custom homes, additions and remodels.

A. Yes called home design data base http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=home+design+data+base&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8