Coventry or Tolland/Wetlands (Hartford: relocating, work, housing)

[Nani110]

I'm relocating to the Hartford area and have narrowed things down to two homes. One is in Tolland and is in a very nice neighborhood with reproductin salt boxes and colonials. The homes are older and this particular home needs some updating including a new bathroom (no demo involved). The other is a 1 year old home in Coventry that has acreage and nice upgrades. The only downside is master bathroom. It only has ONE sink and a small vanity. Because of the tray ceiling in the bedroom, I'm not sure I could expand the bathroom. Doing so would make the ceiling off center. The spare bathroom has a beautiful counter and double sink. I can't figure out what the builder was thinking. However, it does have a fantastic kitchen and many other features that are upgrades. Both homes are about the same price.

My question is, what are your opinions about potential resale value of each home if I do nothing with the bathroom in the Coventry home but remodel the bathroom the Tolland home?

Also, if a property is bordered by wetlands, what are the implications?

Thanks!

[skytrekker]

It's hard to say about the bathroom design. In most cases a superior floor plan & amenities will allow a higher resale value. A double sink in a master will always bring more money.

However, Property in eastern CT is based more on local schools, shopping amenities, crime rate (which is very low in Tolland County), and geographic aesthetics such as nearby woodlands, hills, view corridors, historical sites etc. Housing values probably rely less on housing interior design and more on other values, compared to other areas of the state and nation. Both Coventry and Tolland are very desirable areas. In the future the value of homes are more then likely to increase in value.

Being near a wetlands area is something local officials can give objective information about.

[Srib]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Being near a wetlands area is something local officials can give objective information about.

Agree with skytrekker to check locally as regulations vary from town to town. My property borders wetlands. Implications are both good and bad depending on your perspective. Obviously no one can build there, we can't ever have an inground pool if we wanted one (don't want one, but might be an issue for some). Our property tends to be pretty wet in the spring - sometimes to the point of standing water, but in the summer months i rarely have to water the back half of my lawn so it works out for me :-)

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Nani110

I can't figure out what the builder was thinking.

Sometimes they don't realize what they are building is not what most people expect these days. It is surprising that a newer home in what I assume is an upscale area would not have two sinks in the master. It is what is expected these days. If you are questioning this, then others will too when you go to sell. If the only problem with the Tolland home is the bath needs cosmetics, then consider choosing it. The Coventry sounds like it would require a major redo with structural work and that is expensive. Replacing fixtures and tile is not nearly a s pricey. Good luck, Jay

[Juliangel]

Dear Nani,
Personally, as a realtor, I would choose Tolland, I think that this community has a better resale. As far as wetlands, each town has their own restrictions. Contact the conservator in each town. Also, be sure to do a radon test in Tolland, alot of the homes are built on ledge and may need a mitigation system if it does not already have one.
Sincerely,
Julia