5 Upgrades That Don't Add Value to Your Home

 

If you're planning to sell your house, you might be tempted to go overboard with updates and upgrades to help you fetch the highest price at the closing table. While some home projects add value to your home, others offer little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell. Here are six upgrades you may think add value to your home but don't.

1. Swimming Pool
You and your family might enjoy a swimming pool, but it's an expensive investment that might not offer any return.  In certain situations, a pool can add value to your home, but not necessarily by an amount that makes it worth the cost.

2. Overbuilding for the Neighborhood
At some point, you may need more room but don't want the hassle of moving. Some improvements may unintentionally make your home fall outside the norm for the neighborhood. A large, expensive remodel may make the home more appealing. But it won't add significantly to the resale value if the rest of the neighborhood has small, one-story homes. Homebuyers generally don't want to pay $500,000 for a home in a neighborhood where the average sales price is much lower.

3. Inconsistent High-End Upgrades
Updates and upgrades should be consistent throughout the home. A home with a beautifully remodeled kitchen might be viewed as a work in progress if the bathrooms haven't been updated. And that means the remodel might not fetch as high a return unless the rest of the home is brought up to the same level.

4. Invisible Improvements
Invisible improvements are pricey projects that you know make your house a better place to live in, but that nobody else will notice or likely care about. You might need a new plumbing system or HVAC unit, but don't expect to recover the costs when it comes time to sell.

5. Wall-to-wall Carpeting
While real estate listings may still feature new carpeting throughout as a selling point, homebuyers may cringe at the idea of having wall-to-wall carpeting. More people are turning away from carpeting because of the chemicals used to process it, not to mention its potential for trapping allergens—a serious concern for families with children.

Some home improvements increase your home's value, but others don't. When in doubt, compare features of comparable homes in your neighborhood, research real estate trends in your area, and consult with experts, including home designers, real estate professionals, and contractors, who can help ensure you make a good decision.