5 Worst Home Improvements for Selling a Home

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Which remodeling projects or renovations should homeowners NOT do for best resale value? Take a look!

worst home remodeling projects for resale value

Some remodeling projects are better left undone

When you're considering a major home improvement project, consider how it will impact the resale value of your home. Some home improvements are good investments because they tend to increase the value of your home, enabling you to recoup some of your investment when you sell. However, other projects are notoriously poor at return on investment. The top five are:

• Swimming pools

• Home offices

• Sunrooms

• Master suites

• Garage expansions

Good investments include steel front doors, kitchen remodeling, converting an attic into a bedroom, adding a deck, installing exterior siding and replacement windows.

Make sure you get the most out of your next remodeling project. Angie's List has trusted ratings and reviews on remodeling contractors nationwide.

Editor's note: This is an updated version of a graphic that was originally published in November 2012.

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Feb. 23, 2015

By Angie's List Staff

Comments

Michel Landry 4 years ago

Subject: Question: most inexpensive way to add value to home for resale

What are the top 5 inexpensive ways to add value to your home for resale?

Sandra Stewart 4 years ago

Subject: Home Improvement

I totally don't agree with this post. I am looking for a home with an in ground pool, a screen in porch and a home office with a larger garage. I have a deck on my current house and hate it.

Ilse 5 years ago

Subject: angies list

Home improvements

Bob M 6 years ago

Subject: Doesn't apply to "specialty" houses

These comments seem to apply to the vast majority of houses, but not necessarily to historic or other specialty homes. Putting a steel front door on my 1857-vintage house,for example, would more likely detract from its curb appeal and value, as might some other "modern" upgrades. The number of covered parking spaces expected might also be commensurate with the number of people expected to live in the home. A larger home with a single car garage seems like a mis-match unless it's an older home from a time when families didn't own two, three, or maybe even four cars, and even then people seem to expect a two-car detached garage or carport at a minimum.

Mark 6 years ago

Subject: I definitely agree with pools

I definitely agree with pools. Garages I'm on the fence about - they can be handy during snow storms, and provide great storage (and home gyms). Disagree with home offices, mainly because I work from home 1-2 days per week.

Laurel Isaak 6 years ago

Subject: 5 Worst Home Improvements - Pool

Is this really true for all parts of the country? We live in a suburb in Houston where just about all homes have an in ground pool and I've heard that you get at least 50% back in our area.

teri 6 years ago

Subject: pool

Parents installed a nice one with built in spa in a standard 60's 4/2/2 Houston Suburban Ranch. You know the house; remodelled each decade? One thing to consider is the ongoing cost of upkeep, though it's nothing like monstrous, by any means. Law requires you provide a locking fence to protect wandering kids. It only takes minutes. And we did pretty much eat the pool and the fireplace when we sold it, but money can't express the 2 generations of bubbles and colored light bulbs in the spa, the cousins, bbq's, birthdays and grandkids friends. Then there was the day my dad threw 2 watermelons in and we watched em plop to the bottom and pop to the surface. Can't say much for the f/p because, well its Texas. I say to go with the lively memories and recover what you can, when the time comes. May God bless your homelife, whatever you choose, t e

Kim 7 years ago

Subject: Home improvements

What about landscaping for the front yard?

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