who doesn’t love beautiful swimming pool To relax in the dog days of summer? A backyard redesign with a pool sounds like an ideal resale addition – but it’s one of the most common renovations that can devalue your home, as potential buyers may only see higher maintenance costs. “Most buyers today view pools as a cost and maintenance headache,” saysJim LavelliAssociate real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Whitbeck. “Pools are expensive to maintain and may discourage buyers, especially families with young children, because of safety concerns.” Also, in some areas of the country, pools can only be used during a small portion of the year. “Wintering a pool takes time and money,” Lavelli says. “It seems like a lot for something you can’t use more than 50% of the year.”
Clearing out closets or storage space
Whatever you do, never remove closets or storage space, as buyers are generally looking for more storage space, not less, when shopping for a home. “Space matters, and storage space matters even more,” explains Dorat. “Homeowners think they are ‘opening up space’ by removing closets, but buyers are often looking for more storage. A better step than removing custom closets.”
overgrown landscape
Of course, investing in beautiful landscaping can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal, but keep it simple – your prized flower garden may scare away a buyer looking for a low-maintenance yard. “Be neat and clean outdoor landscape There will certainly be curb appeal, but spending money on excessive garden elements like water features, trellises and outdoor kitchens is unlikely to provide a good return on investment,” says Michael Valente, co-founder and CEO of . sells renovation“These features can be very taste-specific and expensive to maintain, which will limit the overall value of your home.”
Rejected Additions
That sunroom you added you’re sure the buyer will love? They will only like it if it has been properly permitted (meaning you applied for a building permit with your municipality before starting the renovation work). Sometimes lenders may even stop the mortgage loan if they become aware of unpermitted home improvement projects. “It’s a legal and financial headache,” says Dorat. “Buyers become nervous when additions (such as a sunroom, deck, or additional bathroom) are not properly permitted. “This also raises alarm bells for appraisers and lenders.”
Big DIY Projects
Some home projects can be successfully DIY—like painting, hanging wallpaperor swapping kitchen cabinet hardwareBut large, complex projects are best left to a professional. “DIY renovations that are poorly executed or unsafe, such as uneven floors or leaky plumbing, are noticeable and may be a cause for concern for the buyer,” says Lavelli. Additionally, in many cases, it is not uncommon to find that DIY projects are work without permits, which can affect resale value and cause delays and legal issues.
