Many homeowners invest in a property and enjoy customizing it as they see fit. While many updates increase your enjoyment of the house and offer a good return on investment, some home improvements won’t boost property value. Before planning major upgrades, consider if you will be selling the home and choose projects that appeal to potential buyers.
A Hot Tub or Pool Won’t Boost Property Value
Swimming pools and hot tubs are luxuries that many families enjoy. If you would otherwise travel to a community pool, having a backyard pool is appealing. However, these upgrades are costly and require ongoing maintenance. Many homebuyers do not want to take on the time and expense of pool upkeep. Pools and hot tubs can be expensive. Costs include water treatment supplies, covering the area for winter, and maintaining the fencing around the pool.
Customize Hobby Space
If you have a hobby, you might invest time and money into creating a perfect room for your interests. A designated space makes it easier for you to maintain an exotic aquarium or have a movie theatre, but any highly customized area lowers the property’s value. Most buyers won’t share in your interest, and if they purchase the home, they would need to remodel before being able to use the space.
Textured Ceilings and Walls Don’t Boost Property Value
Interior design trends come and go, and for better or worse, they can affect the value of your home. Wallpaper or textured paint may make your home trendy at the moment, but it also makes it more difficult for a homebuyer to customize the property. Wallpapered walls and textured ceilings won’t boost property value, and it’s usually best to remodel before listing the home.
High-End Landscaping Features
Any feature that requires ongoing maintenance will be unappealing to most homebuyers. While you may enjoy fountains in the backyard or a luxury outdoor kitchen, the installation and maintenance cost will probably not reflect a buyer’s offer.
There are affordable ways to improve the property and get a good return on your investment.
- Install LED pathway lights along walkways leading to the home.
- Edge around garden beds and the lawn.
- Add mulch at the base of shrubs and trees.
- Plant colorful flowers in the garden beds or porch planters, like pansies.
- Have the lawn mowed and maintained by a pro.
Some upgrades help to improve the value of your home. If you’re planning to put the property on the market, talk to your real estate agent to learn how to prepare the house for sale.
Florida Superior Inspections provides home inspection services to homebuyers in the Tampa area. Contact us to schedule a home inspection.