To fix or not to fix?

[coopersita]

We have an old house, and it has an adjacent shed. There is a door that goes into the shed, and in the shed are stairs that lead to the basement. This shed is falling apart.

We plan to move in a couple of years, but we are unsure of whether fixing this shed (it might have to be rebuilt) would be a waste of money, or if it would increase property value enough to make it worth the trouble.

To rebuild it could cost over $10k, but I don't know if it would ad that much to the value of the house.

Any thoughts?

[Duncan Pollock]

Talk to a couple of local agents. They'll know the market and be able to tell you the best thing to do.
In general, however, fixing up something that deserves to be torn down is a waste of money and is more likely to limit your chance of a sale than enhance it.

Duncan

[SanDiego]

Could it really cost you $10K to build a small shed with a door to the basement? What if you just tore it down and placed a door to the basement at the top of the staires? Are the other option or solutions that could eb cheaper (or free) that you could do to make it better...

[Las Vegas Real Estate]

I agree with SD. Tear down the shed and focus on making the stairway/entrance to the basement attractive. Also wonder how in the heck it could run as high as 10K

[coopersita]

Thanks all,

I would just tear it down, but then I'd have to shovel the snow to get to my basement... I'ts not insulated now, but at least it's covered.

I think it would be that expensive to re-do the whole thing because it doesn't have a foundation at all (that's why it's falling apart). The wood on the walls leading to the basement are giving away, and dirt is coming in.