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20 DISASTROUS DIY DECISIONS THAT’LL KNOCK THOUSANDS OFF THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

By Caren Gibson
July 29, 2021
hello@thepatterncollective.com/Instagram

So, you’re ready to upgrade your starter home for a family abode you’ve seen
listed on Zillow. And you need to get your current place market-ready to achieve
its ceiling price. You have seen a few seasons of Love It or List It and know
just what to do. But wait: it turns out that many property renovation ideas may
actually devalue the price! So, from building swimming pools to installing home
offices, let’s discover which things you should avoid when trying to increase
your house’s value.

20. Bold Is Not Always Beautiful



Picture the scene: you’ve spent years refining your own unique style on the
house. That bold and colorful wall in the lounge helps you switch off after a
long day in your characterless cubicle at work. Sure, you like it, and so does
your partner. Though take a step back and ask yourself: would a potential buyer
feel the same?

hello@thepatterncollective.com / Instagram


Style Is Subjective



Housing expert Thomas Goodman knows a thing or two about a home’s value. He told
the website Love Property in February 2021, “A bright yellow wall in the kitchen
could be comforting for you, but it might portray your room in a different light
to others.” When it comes to selling your home, neutral tones will have a wider
appeal.

hello@thepatterncollective.com / Instagram


19. DIY Dangers



We all know that there are countless YouTube videos available that offer tips on
everything from how to paint a room to fixing an electrical outlet. And no doubt
some of us come away from watching them thinking that we can tackle anything!
Yet we often bite off more than we can chew. So, don't be afraid to call in
trained professionals in those instances where the DIY job is a little beyond
your expertise.

YouTube/WeLoveMovies


Professional Work Is Worth It



“Professional work is second to none in quality, when buyers step into your home
and agents do a valuation, they will take note of details,” Goodman told Love
Property. He added, “Your DIY tiling job might look appealing to you, but
amateur work doesn’t have the same finish.” Be realistic and identify when you
may be out of your depth – especially with jobs that pose safety risks like
electrics and plumbing.

stevepb / Pixabay


18. A Bathroom In Name Only



Walk-in showers might be a popular, time-effective option for anyone who lives a
hectic life. They can also create the illusion of more space in a cramped
bathroom. Yet many people like to unwind with a long soak in the tub after a
busy day! So, perhaps think twice before ripping it out. After all, it may hurt
the resale value of your home – particularly if you only have one bathroom.

Touchstone Pictures


Clean And Simple



A refreshed bathroom can undoubtedly add value to a home. But going too far may
have the reverse effect, Yahoo! Life notes. If you like the idea of a fancy
whirlpool tub with all the bells and whistles, consider whether someone else
might see it as a hassle to clean or step into. Perhaps instead keep it simple
with a shower over the bath.

ONNE Beauty/Unsplash


17. Window Woes



Creaking floorboards. Clunky pipes. Draughty doorways. Anyone who has ever lived
in a period property will know all the drawbacks! Windows can also be a problem
area for which the most obvious solution may be to rip them out in favor of a
more energy-efficient, vinyl solution. But Architect Anik Pearson argued against
this during an interview with The Washington Post in 2018.

Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels


Environment Is Everything



Pearson revealed, “Even though a wood window will cost a lot more than vinyl or
aluminum, the wood is worth the investment because it can survive 100 years.
Vinyl clad won’t last for more than ten or 20 years, and metal clad is better
than vinyl but in arid climates.” So, it’s worth considering the house’s
location, and maybe think about upgrading what you already have.

via PxHere


16. Darkened Rooms Versus Lavish Lighting



Less is often more when we think of decor in a resale, though that’s not always
true when it comes to light. For instance, rooms that lack natural light are
dark and dingy to potential buyers. Love Property therefore suggests using
mirrors to reflect what natural light there is, adding plenty of the artificial
kind and painting the walls with natural colors. But that does come with a
caveat.

arpa sarian / Unsplash


Small Things, Big Impressions



Real estate company founder Alon Barzilay told Yahoo! Life that buyers are often
drawn to pretty light fixtures. But he said to exercise caution, too. The
businessman explained, “Whatever is in vogue today will look dated ten years
down the road when you are ready to sell.” Therefore, keeping it simple should
save money in the long run.

Anh Duy / Unsplash


15. Beware The Basement



One factor when it comes to valuing a property is, of course, the home's square
footage. Though if you live in the city and don’t have the space to extend
outwards, you might think of adding a basement to your property instead. But be
warned: this can be a big risk.

The Proper People / YouTube


Know The Geology



Before calling in expensive contractors, understand the topography underneath
your home. Pearson described a client in New York City looking to add a basement
to his property who discovered a river running under the townhouse. As the
architect explained, “They poked a hole in the basement and sure enough, there
was running water. The river was still there.” Without this research, then, a
straight-down dig could have been costly.

dann o_O / Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0


14. The Cost Of Unnecessary Rooms



Those of us who are fitness enthusiasts may be tempted to convert an unused
garage into a gym. Similarly, parents with kids returning from university may
want to convert the space into a separate living quarters. Though doing so could
adversely affect the value of your home, according to Yahoo! Life.

RyanJLane/Getty Images


Rooms For What They're Designed For



You see, the circumstances of future buyers will be entirely different to yours.
And as it happens, lots of people would like to have a garage for precisely its
intended purpose! It could also be a deal breaker if your property doesn’t have
one. Therefore, if you want to change its use, consider making it easy to switch
back.

cottonbro / Pexels


13. Character Casualties



One of the most appealing things about older properties are, of course, their
period features. These may come in the form of wooden floors, base boards, light
fittings or decorative columns. Inevitably, though, these unique additions will
become worn over time and look less than their best. Restoring them can be
costly, so it may be tempting to go for a more modern material.

Kolya Pynti / Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0


Arrested Decay



Architectural Resources Group's Naomi Miroglio told The Washington Post, “Some
contractors think it’s more trouble to save decorative pieces than work around
them.” Though such shortcuts can look out of place and therefore be unappealing
to buyers. Instead, she suggested working with the materials you have. Miroglio
went on, “It’s arrested decay: you stop it from decaying but avoid making it
look brand new.”

Gabriele Rampazzo / Unsplash


12. Luxurious Landscaping



To encourage potential buyers to view your property, it’s generally a good idea
to increase its so-called “curb appeal.” But going too far with such an overhaul
could have the reverse impact on the home’s next owner. Take trees as an
example. They look pretty but are also prone to shedding their leaves, and this
could lump buyers with hefty maintenance bills.

Shaun Montero / Unsplash


Maintenance Is Expensive



Landscaping London's Theodore Beasley explained to Yahoo! Life, “Costly
landscaping decoration will not increase the value of your home, but rather
increase the maintenance required for it.” He further added, “Constant leaf rain
is not something that will positively attract a potential homebuyer. When fall
comes, they will just know it will give them a hard time.” The advice, then, is
to keep exteriors simple and easy to care for.

William Warby / Flickr | CC BY 2.0


11. Flawed Flooring



Did you know that the type of floor your property has can have a big impact on
its value? Carpet is also harder to keep clean compared to its hardwood or
laminate alternative. And home remodeling expert Alex Biyevetskiy told
Realtor.com that new hardwood floors could increase your home's value by up to
2.5 percent! But that’s not all.

Dunlop Flooring / YouTube


High Traffic Areas



Love Property notes that having a different type of flooring in each room of the
house can be a turn off for buyers. Instead, why not try keeping the flooring
consistent throughout the property? What’s more, low maintenance surfaces are
preferred in high traffic parts of the house – such as the hallway. And like all
other decor, remember that personal tastes don’t appeal to everybody!

Rahul Chakraborty / Unsplash


10. Fishy Endeavors



Built-in fish tanks might be a dream come true for many of us. They can also
give your house an upscale feel. Though it’s important to remember a potential
buyer may not share your enthusiasm. Also, such an addition to the house could
adversely affect its value, according to Yahoo! Life.

Paul Cuffaro / YouTube


Reconsider For The Long Term



You should consider whether a built-in fish tank will actually add long-term
value to the home. And removing it may be an expense that a future owner won’t
want to pay. So, if you still want to keep your aquatic friends at home, why not
choose a standard fish tank instead?

George Farmer / YouTube


9. Closet Calamities



When considering rooms in a property, it might be tempting to think that bigger
is better. What would you do to create a larger bedroom or bathroom? You might
be inclined to knock through to a closet to create the desired expansion, for
instance. But be warned: such an endeavor could be costly.

quiddle. / Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0


Potential Costly Sacrifice



Michele Silverman Bedell is the owner of residential agency Silversons, and she
talked to MarketWatch about the risks that come from knocking through your
closet. The businesswoman said, “People need [them]. They’ll walk in and count
the number of closets per room.” So, it’s worth asking yourself whether such a
sacrifice could adversely affect the value of your home.

Андрей Постовой / Unsplash


8. The Indulgent Hot Tub



According to the brilliantly named Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, there was a surge in
demand for residential hot tubs in 2020. Though while some prefer a simple
“plug-and-play” style unit, larger, more expensive items are growing in
popularity as a space for families to hang out. But keep in mind the
practicalities of installing this luxury item!

via PIXNIO


Just More Maintenance



A future buyer might see a hot tub as taking up precious space in the back yard,
as well as an annoying additional maintenance. The contraption could also be
dangerous for families with young children. Therefore, a portable unit you can
take with you could be the smartest choice – rather than going to the expense of
having one fitted.

Pamela Riley / Instagram


7. Kitchen Curses



A kitchen makeover can often be a simple and relatively inexpensive way to add
value to a home. You may think, therefore, that putting more money into a
renovation will always yield a higher return. It's just basic math, right? Well,
the numbers don’t actually always stack up, and you should be aware of
cost-versus-gained-value before committing to a revamp.

Her 86m2 / YouTube


Don't Break The Bank



According to the website Remodeling, the average price of a major kitchen
renovation in the U.S. is around $62,000. Yet it claimed that the investment
will only add closer to $40,000 to your home’s resale value. So, try to be more
restrained with kitchen makeovers rather than blowing the budget!

Rūta Celma / Unsplash


6. A Costly Extension



Adding an extra room to your home must add to its value, right? While that may
be true if you are converting a basement or loft for additional living space,
it’s not always the case when it comes to expanding your home. A sun room, for
example, may end up costing more than you make back in resale.

DIYfferent / YouTube


Getting It Just Right



Anyone with a verdant back yard may want to install a sun room to enjoy the
views whatever the weather. But such an expense could cost up to $75,000, the
website Remodeling notes. And when you consider that the total value added to
the home is around $35,000, it’d be worth keeping your costs low. Though if you
pay too little it could also result in a blight for potential buyers. Talk about
a balancing act!




5. Wonder Walls



Just like any other fashion, trends come and go when it comes to home
decorating. What’s in vogue one year might turn into an eyesore further down the
line. For example, textured wallpapers and fancy paneling might appeal to one
home owner. Though potential buyers may see it as simply an extra job to tackle.

5460160 / Pixabay


Design Fads



Anything in your home that looks too much like extra work to a prospective owner
is likely to lower the purchase price, according to Yahoo! Life. So, think twice
before plastering your home with the latest trends in textured walls. You could
be decorating your way out of a sale!

Ian Burt / Flickr | CC BY 2.0


4. Home Office Horrors



Advances in modern technology mean it’s now common for us to conduct business
from home. For instance, some might go to the lengths of converting a bedroom
into a dedicated work space. Though remember that your fancy little office might
not be necessary for everybody.

Collov Home Design / Unsplash


Your Office Might Not Be The Buyer's Office



Ripping out any bedroom furniture in itself costs money. Also, installing extra
wall outlets and other technical gadgetry can be expensive. And imagine if the
potential buyers choose to turn the space into another bedroom? All the time,
effort and expense on the conversion would have been wasted.

Gabriel Beaudry / Unsplash


3. Banishing Bedrooms



Knocking down walls to turn two small bedrooms into a bigger one might suit some
people. For instance, it may be handy for those whose kids have moved out, or
for people who don't plan to have children any time soon. But if you’re not
currently living in your forever home, experts would advise that you think twice
before picking up a sledge hammer.

Paul Sableman / Flickr | CC BY 2.0


Small Bedrooms Are Better Than No Bedrooms



Brian Davis invests in real estate and co-founded the website SparkRental. He
told Yahoo! Life, “Even small bedrooms add value to homes, as most families want
children to have their own rooms but don’t mind if they’re on the small side. In
my experience, each bedroom can add about 15 percent to the value of a home.”

via Max Pixel


2. A Surplus Swimming Pool



Adding a swimming pool to your property might seem like an obvious way to
increase its value. Though according to home improvements website HouseLogic,
such an indulgence might increase its sale price by up to 7 percent only. And
that’s if you live in a location where residents will benefit from having a pool
in the first place.

photogrammer7 / Pixabay


More Trouble Than They're Worth



Davis told Yahoo! Life, “Unless you live somewhere that’s hot at least six
months out of the year, pools are generally more trouble than they’re worth.”
What’s more, they only appeal to a certain type of buyer. He continued, “The
only people who really want them are families with a certain age range of
children, so it limits the potential buyers.” So, the cost of building and
maintaining a pool could be more than its added value.

Roberto Romano / Instagram


1. Too Much Tech



High-tech renovations that are seen as too personal can negatively affect a
home's market value. For instance, it might be tempting to keep up with the
Kardashians by converting a room into a home cinema. Such a high end indulgence
will surely stack the dollars onto the resale price, right? Well, not so much.

gsloan / Flickr | CC BY 2.0


Quickly Obsolete



Some buyers might see it as a room that could be better used as a more
functional space, Yahoo! Life notes. And if the sound systems and projectors are
built in, it could be a huge demolition job to remove it. Besides, technology
has a habit of evolving rather quickly and it would be an expensive hassle to
update it. The extravagance could therefore put off potential buyers.

Georgefromistanbul / Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0






The home + design lover's guide to 21st century innovation, with roots planted
in the comfort of tradition.

Copyright ©2022 Designtechnica Corporation. All rights reserved.

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