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
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.
