Need some advice Realtors or contractors on additions (rental, house)

[family first]

Here is a quick glance. 3 bed 2 bath house, a detatched office in back yard fifteen feet off back bedroom. The question I have is this. I need to add house for size of family and this is my question for professionals in the trades. If I were to expand my main house and add out to the office to make more living space would it be better for resale when I go to sell. OR Should I leave the detatched office alone and try to build off the other end of the house adding more liveable space to the main house? Would be trying to add a family room and 4th bedroom on either project. How valuable is a completely furnished detatched office to potential buyers???

[Scott4597]

Do you already have coverage from the house to the office?

[Scott4597]

Attached is always better than detached

[bellalunatic]

Is there a percentage sq.footage of house to sq. footage of lot requirement in zoning laws for your area?
There is something to be said for the "flow" of a design and how well it incorporates to its site.

[family first]

Scott...coverage? Clairify.

[family first]

bellaunatic...flow is very important to our house and the detatched office was built with that in mind. Plenty of space left in the yard for more house and no zoning problems. I'm thinking there is more value leaving the detatched office detatched in case of future owners using it as a rental or as an office like I do.

[DMenscha]

I'd try to connect the two structures if possible. You'll probably even save some money doing it as you would only be adding 2 sides versus 3 sides if you add on the end of the home.