From cosmetic facelifts to major structural alterations, there are a huge number of home improvements that homeowners choose to make to their homes in order to make them more personal and a better fit. And, while some refurbishments and improvements are almost guaranteed to add value to your property, others are likely to leave you out of pocket when the time comes to put your property on the market. In this blog, we’ll look at the 7 home improvements you should avoid.
Adding a luxury bathroom
Possibly a controversial inclusion on our list, a luxury bathroom may seem like a good investment but when it comes to return on your outlay then the figures simply don’t add up. Generally speaking, a bathroom remodel will only return about half of the money that you spend on it. If you plan on being in your home for a long time then this is not an issue, but if your plans are to sell on after a few years then a more standard bathroom will deliver a better return.
Building a garage
While garage space is something that a lot of buyers look for when they are buying a house the cost of building a garage will not add enough to your property price to warrant the spend. For those desperate for additional storage space, a shed costs a fraction of the price and will be just as tempting to the average buyer.
Built in entertainment systems
Your bespoke media center might well be your dream house addition, but this is unlikely to be reflected in the resale value of your home. While a big screen projector and surround sound system may be your pride and joy, if these are built into your property then a lot of buyers are likely to find these a waste of space.
Upscale garden landscaping
Features such as large ornamental ponds, water fountains, and dramatic landscaped lawns might seem like a must have addition to your home but, these types of features won’t generally add much to the value of your property. Of course, for many people gardening is a passion and has a big impact on their enjoyment of owning their own home.
Quirky décor
One of the most off-putting home improvements for new buyers is quirky and highly unusual home décor. Bright colours, big bold patterns and strange shades are all things to look out for when it comes time to sell your house. Where possible use neutral colours to help new buyers to visualise how they will add their own style to your property.
Conservatory
A conservatory promises so much, a room that you can enjoy all year round, but the reality is that they are often poorly insulated which makes them too cold in the winter and far to hot in the summer. With conservatories costing a considerable amount of money they almost never add significant value back to your property meaning when the time comes to sell, you’ll be out of pocket.
Combining bedrooms
It may seem like a great idea to turn two small bedrooms into a much larger single bedroom but doing so will often dramatically decrease the resale value of your home. The number of bedrooms will often be a consideration for buyers and house values reflect this with properties with more bedrooms commanding bigger price tags compared to those with fewer bedrooms. Removing a bedroom can affect the value of your home by as much as 15%.