Home Improvements That Hurt Resale

1. Elaborate  landscaping or gardens

You may have a green thumb and be proud of the time you spent on the garden, the hedges or landscaping. But the next buyer might see it as too much maintenance. Potential buyers may not be willing to pay for it, hire a gardener or do the work themselves. This is especially true with Millennials and Gen X-ers. Certainly your property must have great curb appeal and nice landscaping does sell, but quick and inexpensive improvements to your yard may be all you need--consider hiring a lawn service for a one time going over and add a few flowering plants from a garden shop. 

2. Converting a garage into a family room

This may make sense if you have a large family the will actually use a family room, but be careful the renovation isn't done too late--children at college or on their own  won't use it. When it comes time to sell a garage is expected, especially in the suburbs, if you take it out, you've lost many buyers. Solution: Perhaps minor changes, that can easily be are is all you need--clear out the clutter, paint the floor, walls and inside of the garage door and remove and store the door opener.  Add a large area rug, new light fixtures a window AC with heat--what more do you need?  All this can be easily removed when it comes time to sell.

3. Taking out a bedroom

These days homeowners often transform a bedroom into a huge master closet or into a home office.If you do, make sure the room can be easily turned put back when you sell, no built-in desk and cabinet. . Buyers with kids may need that bedroom. They’ll see the room you converted into a home office or closet as more money they’ll need to spend to turn it back into a bedroom.

To convert a bedroom into, you'll probably want direct access from the master bedroom, which  may include taking out a door and putting up walls. Settle for storing your out of season clothing in the existing bedroom's closet and donate what you don't wear to a thrift store. Once you move your seasonal clothes and cleaned out the stuff you haven't worn in the last several years, you'll have plenty of room.

4. Adding a swimming pool

Same as fancy landscaping; a pool requires maintenance and is an even bigger liability. If you’re in the South, a pool may make sense, especially if they're common in your neighborhood. Think twice if you're in the Northeast, you'll have to heat the pool most of the time and prep it for winter. Join your local Family Y with a pool, instead.

5. Adding personalized colors, finishes or fixtures

Often, homeowners put in tile, sinks, vanities, counter tops and floor coverings specific to their tastes that are hard to replace. For example, you love the Italian tile from your  vacation last year and want it in your kitchen; have it made into a coffee table instead. Stick to neutral colors for permanent improvements; if you spent big bucks on upgrades, your home's value when you need to sell, may not reflect the expense. Some inexpensive improvements are always good--chair railings, crown moldings and an upgraded front door, for example. Be careful you don't turn off buyers who don’t like your taste and don’t want the hassle to undo your changes. Decorate to your taste with furniture and accessories that you can take with you and use in your new home.  If they are highly personal, ask your agent if they should go into storage be showing, so prospective buyers can easily view themselves in your home.