Some Home Improvement Projects That Cannot Increase The Resale Value Of Your Home

Sunrooms are a very specific upgrade and the majority of buyers are not willing to pay for one.

Tax refunds are on the way, which means that many of us will have a little extra coin in our pocket soon. One great way to invest your windfall is to sink it into your house. Whether you update your kitchen, add a bedroom or just repaint your exterior spending money on your home will almost always pay off in the end.

Unfortunately, not every home improvement will increase the value of your home, especially if you are looking to sell in the near future. Here are just a few home improvements that may not raise your home value but will almost certainly improve your lifestyle.

In Ground Swimming Pool

You can spend anywhere between $30,000 to $85,000 and beyond depending on what kind of pool you sink in the ground. While you may love lounging around the pool soaking in the sun, a pool does not always make your home more attractive to homebuyers and in almost all cases you will not recover your investment when you sell.

Swimming pools increase energy costs and can also push up your homeowner insurance rates. In addition they require a fair amount of maintenance which can be a negative for potential homeowners. If you decide to spend that tax refund on a pool, make sure you are doing it for your enjoyment and not as an investment.

High End Kitchen Finishes

If your kitchen is dated there is no doubt that an update will increase the value of your house, but going overboard will cost you. While you may love that $8,000 commercial stove, potential buyers will be unwilling to pay for your expensive taste.

If you are updating your kitchen, stick to high quality but not over the top appliances and finishes which will make the house easier to sell when the time comes to move on.

Sunroom

While it might be nice to relax in a brand new sunroom and soak up the warmth, you will absolutely lose money on this home improvement. Sunrooms are a very specific upgrade and the majority of buyers are not willing to pay for one. In addition, a room built of glass will increase your energy costs in just about every season, not to mention the potential for leaks and water damage. Skip the sunroom and sink that tax refund into adding a bathroom, which will almost always pay off.

Landscaping

Don’t get us wrong, landscaping will certainly make your house more attractive to potential buyers but going overboard will be a waste of money. Fountains, water features and koi ponds are often looked at as just additional work by potential homebuyers.

Improving your lawn, putting in flower beds, and some trees will not only make you happy to come home, it will make your home stand out to potential buyers. Leave the expensive landscaping upgrades for your forever home.

Home Office

Unless you work exclusively out of your home there is very little need for a home office. Adding a home office can cost up to $30,000 and in most cases you will never see that money again. Potential buyers will not be impressed by your expensive home office and will certainly not pay a premium for it. Skip this upgrade and put the money into a new roof if yours is getting old, that is one upgrade that will certainly pay off.

Using your tax refund to upgrade your house is a great idea and many improvements will add value to your home, but avoiding these upgrades is the right move.