When Those “Upgrages” Hurt Your Home Value

There are always home improvement projects beckoning your attention. Updating counter-tops, painting out cabinetry, replacing worn carpet, getting rid of that old vinyl flooring in the kids bathroom and adding tile. All of these are affordable ways to freshen up your living space and possibly even add value. But what projects are just too much and can actually hurt the value of your home and maybe even make your home difficult to sell?

Buyers are looking for a house that they can make their own. Be cautious of anything too personal, which might be construed as “funky.” Avoid bright colors, especially in surfaces that can’t be easily and affordable changed. You aren’t doing yourself, or the future homeowners, any favors!

Never sacrifice windows in an effort to make more wall space for your art! Seriously, I’ve seen homes with very few windows because of wall space needs to accommodate excessive art collections. Natural light is very important to most buyers! Most people would rather visit an art gallery, not have one in their homes.

Buyers want storage, garage space and simple updates. Don’t turn your amazing 3-car garage into a man-cave, leaving hardly enough room for one car! Don’t Don’t expand your master bathroom if the price paid is eliminating a great walk-in closet. And don’t try to divide up a big bedroom to make an additional bedroom. A large bedroom that kids can share is much more desirable to your future buyer than 2 little rooms that hardly fit a twin bed.

Lastly, don’t try to stand out in the neighborhood with unusual exterior features, such as choosing a paint color that “no one else has”, unusual fencing styles, or extensive landscaping. Your curb appeal is the first thing that will either attract or repulse your future buyers. Make your home one that the average person can see themselves moving into without needing to do a whole lot de-funkifying!