We get it. Your home is your castle. And you want the best abode in the neighborhood. That’s why you’re thinking about home improvement in the first place. Renovations are an excellent way to make your home your own, and they can add value to your property. That said, some “upgrades” simply don’t add value to your property.
Think about it: Would you want to buy a property with four acres of grass? Most folks won’t since that’ll require a lot of maintenance, or a complete landscaping makeover. Would you buy a home with a six-car garage? Probably not (we’re only assuming on this one… you may be a car collector after all).
In short, there are renovations and home improvements that add value to your home, and then there are changes which may actually deter potential homebuyers, should you choose to sell your property in the future. Today, we’re going to take some time to outline a few of those changes which may actually be detrimental to the value of your home. Here are some of the most common, yet generally unnecessary home improvements that you may want to reconsider:
Scrapping a Bedroom
If you’re thinking about transforming a bedroom in your home into a different space, think twice. You may not want to turn that fourth bedroom into an office just yet. Families look for homes with the right amount of bedrooms, and they tend to care less about the extra spaces and additions in the homes that they’re perusing. So, you could lose money if you transform a bedroom into an office, or worse, if you turn that bedroom into a massive walk-in closet for your master bedroom.
If you do opt to transform a bedroom into an office, keep it simple, and be sure that it can double as a bedroom when you put your home on the market. Just roll in some office furniture and cabinets, you don’t have to start tearing down walls.
Overzealous Landscaping
Good landscaping does improve home value — in fact, a picturesque landscape boosts your home’s curb appeal, which may help you to find a buyer when the time comes. However, you don’t want to pour too much cash into the landscape; it’s likely you won’t get that money back when you sell. Keep outdoor renovations simple, and keep the total cost of a landscaping or outdoor living space overhaul to 10 percent of the total cost of the home (or less).
Now, if you’re the ultimate barbecue buff, maybe it’ll be worth it to build in a hardscaped patio, complete with an exterior kitchen. Perhaps your passion for the outdoors extends beyond the wallet. Then go ahead, put in those granite countertops, and add that wood-fired oven. Just don’t plan on getting all of those dollars back when your home is on the market.
Digging a Pool
Putting a pool in the back yard may be more costly than you might think, and you won’t recoup those dollars when you sell. Pools are especially over the top here in Maryland, and they require thousands of dollars in maintenance and heating costs. Your home’s next owners likely won’t cherish those hefty bills. Refrain from installing a pool. Consider a non-permanent spa if you’re really connected to water activities.
An Excessive Basement
Your basement should match the rest of your home, in both aesthetic, usefulness, and cost. Don’t spend too much money creating the ultimate entertainment room or mancave.
Now, upgrading your basement is a good idea! Consider finishing an unfinished basement with a couple bedrooms and a bathroom remodel. Just be wary that building a full-service bar may be overly costly. Remember, if your basement is the best space in your home, then you may be tossing dollars out the window.
Built-In Home Theaters
Nearly every home in America has a TV in it, sure. But it may be unnecessary to install a theater system, surround sound system, and custom cabinetry for all of your electronics. Why? Well, technology changes. Any permanent theater and entertainment upgrades that you install may be out of fashion in a matter of months — think about those homes with awkward spaces to hold those massive projection style televisions. Those homeowners are now stuck with a big hole in their wall or cabinet, and a thin flat screen.
Adding an Aquarium
While you may be passionate about fish, not every homeowner shares the same passion for fanciful cold-blooded vertebrates. An aquarium may look great, and sure, it’s a killer icebreaker, but your home’s next owner may not know a thing about angelfish, and they won’t want to keep the empty tank that’s dividing the living room and kitchen.
Unique Spaces
Considering installing a custom putting green, complete with faux-grass in your basement? Or perhaps you’d like to install a climbing wall in the living room. Make sure these additions aren’t permanent, or consider spending your cash on a golf or gym membership. If you’re considering a truly unique space, just remember that homebuyers out there often don’t have the same taste.
Don’t DIY
Regardless of the home improvements that you do decide to do, be sure to hire a professional. As USA Today points out in their article, the quality of a renovation is as important as the purpose of the renovation (if not moreso). Erica Rawes, the author, notes:
“Quality construction is essential in any home renovation.” She continues, stating, “If you hire a contractor, make sure you hire someone you can trust. If you are unfamiliar with the business, this may require a bit of homework. Conduct research, read reviews, and ask around until you find someone with an excellent reputation.”
Those are words that we can stand behind here at Handyman at Your Command. As your Top Rated Local® handyman contractor company, we strive to provide excellent, professional home improvement services. We believe that our reviews speak for themselves. If you live here in Bethesda or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’re curious about our home improvement services, and don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment right here online!
