With all the "do it yourself" television programs and magazines out there it's really tempting to try a few renovations to improve the value of your home. But there are a few renovations that just don't pay off. Here's a few to avoid.
While an upgraded kitchen or new deck is often a well calculated improvement, adding a sunroom just doesn't give the same return. In August 2006 the estimate was 75 cents on the dollar in "Remodeling" magazine's value vs. cost survey.
A big renovation to avoid is the swimming pool!. Even though it gets hot and muggy in Kansas, the swimming pool can easily turn off buyers who worry about the upkeep and maintenance involved. And families with young children will worry about the safety factor.
Adding onto a home, while very tempting for growing families, but watch out for the outside appeal. Sometimes these additions detract from the overall curb appeal. If you are considering an addition be sure to get an architects rendition of the outside of the home and get opinions from friends and neighbors.
"A badly designed addition can kill your resale value," says Sal Alfano, the editorial director of Remodeling. "People focus on the floor plan and the flow, but not on how it fits into the neighborhood or even the house itself."
Remember when avacado and harvest gold were the "in" colors? How about mauve and teal? Those trends have passed but there are always new trends on the horizon. Be careful when looking at trendy styles when getting ready to sell. We can't always tell when a trend is old so while that sleek dark granite kitchen look may be the thing now, it may be the trend that kills a sell 6 months later.
Believe it or not, that big circular tub with 20 jets is not a good investment. According to Holly Slaughter, brand manager at RealEstate.com, you're better off with an oversize shower that has a rain shower head and multiple jets (think of it as a car wash for humans).
Unfortunately today's busy families just don't have a lot of relaxation time so they see the tub as something that just won't get used often and is therefore not worth the cost.
When in doubt, ask your realtor about the renovations that make the most sense for your budget and the sale of the home. Don't have a realtor? Contact us today!
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