9 Renovations That Can Devalue Your Home
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Photo: Roger Brooks/Getty Images.
Embarking on a home renovation can be an exciting time—depending on the project, you have carte blanche to make your home unique, fix problem areas that have been neglected, and even boost your home’s value should you decide to sell it down the line.
But not every renovation will sustain that last goal. In addition to renovations that don’t increase value, there are even some that can hurt a sale. Ahead, seasoned realtors and home improvement pros reveal the nine renovations that can devalue your home—plus what you should be considering instead.
Overly personalized design
It’s natural to make your home your own, but if you have plans to sell your house at any point, steer clear from overcustomizing your space. This can include anything from eye-catching kitchen backsplashes to trendy wallpapers or painted murals. “Bold accent walls, ultra-modern fixtures, or anything too ‘niche’ can turn buyers off,” explains Yoann Dorat, global real estate advisor with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. “They can’t picture themselves living there, and buyers think ‘renovation project’ as soon as they see it. Neutral design wins every time.”
Bedroom conversions
Working from home has become more ubiquitous, so converting a bedroom into a beautiful home office (or a home gym or even a walk-in closet) might feel like a smart move—but beware if you do. “This one is a deal killer. Bedrooms add direct value, and most buyers search for homes based on bedroom count,” says Dorat. “Turn a bedroom into an office, walk-in closet, or gym, and you lose serious appeal—especially if you’re dropping from four beds to three.”
Garage conversions
Garage
Conversely, if you barely use your garage for housing your car, it might seem smart to convert that space into something livable or more usable—like an accessory dwelling unit or a gym. But resist the urge if you plan to sell, because garages are truly valuable to a prospective buyer. “While it’s tempting to create extra living space, buyers still want garages,” Dorat says. “In suburban and family-friendly markets, this is especially true. Losing a garage often means losing buyer interest.”
Overimproving—or overbuilding—a home
Even if you have the funds to add more square footage or luxury, high-end finishes, it doesn’t make sense if it’ll make your home stand out badly. “An oversized home in a neighborhood of modest three-bedroom homes can make the property stick out to the point that it can deter prospective buyers,” says Leo Peak, a realtor with Peak Family Real Estate Group. “People shopping for homes in a specific price range or community often expect homes that align with the area’s overall aesthetic and functionality.”
Adding a pool
Swimming Pool with Mountain View
Who doesn’t love a beautiful swimming pool to lounge in during the dog days of summer? A backyard redesign with a pool seems like the perfect resale addition—but its one of the most common renovations that can devalue your home, since prospective buyers might only see high maintenance costs. “Most buyers today look at pools as a cost and maintenance headache,” says Jim LaValley, associate real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Whitbeck. “Pools are expensive to maintain and can deter buyers due to safety concerns, especially families with young children.” Plus, in some areas of the country, pools can only be used during a small fraction of the year. “Winterizing a pool takes time and money,” LaValley says. “It seems like a lot for something you can’t use for over 50% of the year.”
Removing closets or storage space
Whatever you do, never remove closets or storage space, since buyers typically look for more storage space, not less, when shopping for a home. “Space matters, and storage space matters even more,” Dorat explains. “Homeowners think they’re ‘opening up the space’ by removing closets, but buyers are often looking for more storage. Custom closets are a better move than removal.”
Overblown landscaping
fresh lawn with flowers
Of course, investing in beautiful landscaping can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal, but keep it simple—your prized cut flower garden might intimidate a buyer looking for a low-maintenance yard. “Having a neat and tidy outdoor landscape will absolutely boost curb appeal, but splurging on excessive garden elements like water features, trellises, and outdoor kitchens is unlikely to provide a good return on investment,” says Michael Valente, cofounder and CEO of Renovation Sells. “These features can be very taste-specific and expensive to maintain, which will limit your home’s overall value.”
Unpermitted additions
That sunroom you added that you’re sure buyers will love? They’ll only love it if it was properly permitted (meaning you applied for a building permit with your municipality before you began renovation work). Sometimes lenders may even hold up a mortgage loan if they learn about unpermitted home improvement projects. “This is a legal and financial headache,” Dorat says. “Buyers get nervous when additions (like sunrooms, decks, or extra bathrooms) weren’t properly permitted. It also throws up red flags for appraisers and lenders.”
Large DIY projects
Some home projects can be DIY’d successfully—like painting, hanging wallpaper, or swapping out kitchen cabinet hardware. But it’s best to leave a large, complicated project to a professional. “DIY renovations that are poorly executed or unsafe, like uneven floors or leaky plumbing, are noticeable and can be a cause of concern to a buyer,” says LaValley. Plus, in many cases, it’s not unusual to find that DIY projects are unpermitted work, he adds, which can impact resale value and cause delays and legal issues.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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