We’d all like to make our homes a bit fancier, whether that means tearing down a wall or planting an exotic garden. But hold your horses! Not all those upgrades are going to increase your home’s value—some of them might just do the opposite. Let’s look at eleven home “improvements” that could actually be worse for you.
Turning Your Yard Into a Mini Versailles
While a stunning garden might seem like a win, if it looks like it needs a team of gardeners to keep it up, potential buyers might stay away. They’ll see it as a lot of hassle & extra costs. Make sure your garden doesn’t seem like too much maintenance because it could scare off people looking for something a bit more manageable.
Kitchen Fit for a Chef (In a Not-So-Chefy House)
We all love a gorgeous kitchen. That’s why it’s so tempting to pour your heart & soul (and savings) into making yours look like it’s straight out of a fancy home magazine. But if you’re not careful, your kitchen might stick out like a sore thumb. Buyers won’t be keen on paying extra for a kitchen that’s completely different from the rest of the house.
Goodbye Bedroom, Hello Office
With more people working from home, turning a bedroom into an office sounds like a smart move—until it’s time to sell. Buyers are usually counting bedrooms over offices. As such, ditching a bedroom for a home office or gym could make your home less appealing to families who need all the sleeping space they can get.
Pool Party Penalty
Pools can be a hit or miss, depending on where you live. In some places, a pool is almost expected but in many areas, the cost of upkeep & insurance is too much to bother with. There are also safety concerns for families with little ones. This can make a pool more of a drawback than a selling point.
Bold Paint Jobs
Going wild with paint colors can be rather fun and especially since it can help you express your personality. However, those vibrant walls might not be everyone’s cup of tea—they could actually turn buyers away. You should stick to neutrals or at least repaint when it’s time to show off your house.
Wallpaper Wonderland
Similarly, wallpaper can add a lot of character to a room, although it’s pretty personal and can be a pain to remove. Not all potential buyers will love your taste in wallpaper and they might be against the idea of steaming & scraping it off the walls. Try to choose a neutral wallpaper when you’re upgrading your home.
Carpet Diem
Once upon a time, wall-to-wall carpet was all the rage but these days, not so much. Many people prefer hardwood floors because they’re far easier to clean. They also give your home a more modern look. Buyers who see carpet everywhere might just think it’s another project on their to-do list.
Flooring Fiasco
Speaking of flooring, having a different type in every room makes your house feel choppy & disjointed. More consistent flooring will make your home feel more cohesive, which in turn, makes the space seem larger. It’s something that buyers are usually looking for—make the right decision!
The DIY Disaster
We’ve all felt the DIY itch, thanks to those home improvement shows. Unfortunately, not all of us are cut out for it! If your weekend project ends up looking a bit… well, homemade, it’ll be a huge turnoff for buyers. They’re likely to be wary of shoddy workmanship that could be hiding bigger issues.
Movie Theater or Living Room?
Turning a room into a home theater or game room might be your dream but it’s just that—your dream. Some buyers may prefer a more traditional space. They’ll probably pass on a room that looks like it’ll take a lot of work (and money) to convert back — since, to them, it’s not worth the expense.
Garage Conversion Confusion
If you need more living space and you’re thinking about converting your garage, you might want to hit pause on that idea. It might work for you but a lot of buyers want a garage for their cars and storage. Worse still, it can make your home’s exterior look a bit strange if you don’t do it right.
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