Cost-wise, “there are always tradeoffs” when you remodel, Case says. “We splurged on nicer fixtures and finishes in areas that work hard and help with resale value—namely the kitchen and bathrooms. We saved in other places such as the bedrooms, family room and hallway by simply painting and adding new trim.”
To keep the costs and stress manageable, they also remodeled in stages (first the interiors, then the front entry), rather than all at once. And it’s still a work in progress, says Case, who spent 15 years remodeling his last house, little by little. “We still have projects—repaving the driveway, finishing the basement, updating the laundry area—that we’ll tackle incrementally over the next few years. I’m addicted to remodeling—to making my home my own.”