Home Upgrades To Avoid That Don’t Add Value
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
- In this video, Burnsy The Realtor discusses 9 home updates that may not add as much value as you think. From excessive landscaping to high-end light fixtures, Burnsy breaks down common updates that could end up costing you more money than they're worth when it comes time to sell. Learn which upgrades to avoid and how to focus on updates that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. Whether you're looking to sell your home or simply want to make smart renovation choices, this video is full of valuable tips and advice. Subscribe to Living In Cleveland for more real estate insights from Burnsy The Realtor!
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Great video! I really like how you differentiate between monetary value and personal value :) I have a ton of upgrades in my house that add personal value to me living in the space, but I know won't result in monetary value when I eventually go to sell. Videos like this help me to think about my choices.
Comment award! Thank you!
I’m preparing to by my second and final (retirement) home. My list of “must haves” have changed dramatically for me since i purchased my current home of 23 years. Now my “top needs” are these: great neighborhood; structurally sound; well maintained; CLEAN! I’ll have enough cash from the sale of my current home to update this home to suit me should I find one that checks these boxes. Not interested in a flipped home that has “popular finishes”…I’d rather a well cared for home that’s outdated in a great location. Thank you!! Your information is much appreciated!
Thanks for the comment Lizzie! I’m so glad you’re finding my content helpful! Being “ok” with some of these updates is not only going to allow you to pay a little less for your home than fully updated homes in the same market, but it’s also going to be less competition for you since most buyers don’t want to do ANY updates of any kind. If you’re in northeast Ohio, I’d love to work with you! Cheers and good luck!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 Thank you! I was not aware you’re based in NE Ohio. I’m in Florida, but as chance would have it I’m considering moving to somewhere in the area of either Chagrin Falls, Shaker Heights, or Rocky River. They are on my list as I have family in Ohio and used to live there before moving to Florida many years ago as a teenager. I’ll definitely look you up! You can get a lot more house in Ohio than here in Florida for the same $$
@@lizzieb6311 Please look me up when you’re ready to start looking. I’d love to help you! I service all 3 of those locations, and I specialize in helping people relocate from out of state 😊
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 I certainly will! Thank you. I just really love the older homes in the Chagrin Falls and Shaker Heights areas. The company I’ll be retiring from is a large manufacturing firm based in Beachwood - so I’ve become familiar with the areas when I travel for corporate meetings. I’ll be selling my home here and relocating before I retire. Enjoy your evening.
Single floor is a huge want as well
I love that you made it clear this was a list about return when selling instead of design advice.
LOL yeah, I'm the wrong person to talk to about design advice! I pay someone else for that. Thanks for the comment! I appreciate it!
You don’t upgrade to add value, you upgrade to enjoy your home.
Some people upgrade to add value just before they sell to get more money for their homes.
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 That's just plain stupid. If you're going to invest 50k to 100k in upgrades in your home, do it right after you buy it so you can enjoy it. Upgrading just before selling is dumb. That's why flipping houses is also pretty dumb. It is a huge roll of the dice.
@@gloredonnot sure how dumb it is when they end up making a good amount more on the home if it’s done properly. It also depends on how long you are planning on living at that particular home. But I totally agree , it would be great to enjoy these things while I am living there!
It depends on how much extra money we have for the upgrade. For example, if you buy a 450k house with 90k downpayment or a 400k house with 80k downpayment plus 50k upgrade, then the total amount will be 130k out of pocket @gloredon
I need to fix my 70s old house which will cost me 100k. I have to sell it after the renovation. 100k is a lot to me😢.
@@tinasun6909 Great point! $100k is a lot to a lot of people, myself included.
1. Elaborate landscaping 2. Statement light fixtures 3. Swimming pool 4. Wallpaper 5. Textured walls/ceilings 6. Custom paint colors 7. Luxury upgrades overpriced for neighborhood 8. Over-the-top home theater 9. Expensive renovations
Great summary!
Thank you Bebe!❤️👍😁
Life is short. Upgrade your home the way it suits you and your budget.
100% agree with you! For sure. If you're living in your home for the long run, go ham sandwich and do whatever you want to it. This video was for people who are planning on selling, and trying to get a return on the investment of their upgrades.
i just looked up my childhood home.
my folks did some upgrades to boost the value.
from the redfin site, i see they kept the tiled floors, upgraded to a gas stove, and the walls are still the same pine with that black eye swirl pattern, the burglar bars on the window are still there too.
I have so many good memories from my childhood home, but my folks moved to surburbia, so I like to pass by from time to time.
As a cabinet maker and fine furniture maker, it's nonsense to believe that a beautiful kitchen remodel won't add value to your home. My name is Colin Chesbrough, for Chesbrough Cabinetry, and i approve this message
Agreed Colin! Beautiful indeed, just not extravagant. I don't remember say it won't add value. I do recall saying that if you go over-the-top extravagant you can't expect to get more out of it than you put into it. You can't do a $40,000 kitchen remodel and expect to increase your price by $40,000. Even if the home did appraise, that's just not how it works. You can make it beautiful on a budget.
@LivingInClevelandOhio436 certainly. I meant it as more of a joke, since I followed up with a self-endorsment of my business. 🤣🤣
@@colinchesbrough5772 OH LOL sorry for not catching that
Great list. I think you can add to lighting, plumbing fixtures as well.
Be interested in your thoughts on siding and windows. I get turned off when I see cheap vinyl siding and cheap windows on new construction in our area, yet it seems to be the norm, even on $1,000,000 plus homes.
People love vinyl for its cost and for its easy maintenance. Wood is very costly and high maintenance. Vinyl siding seems to be very common in colder climates. I don't see too many vinyl sided houses in Arizona.
I bought a really nice light fixture in my first home. Every time I move, I take the fixture with me. I've had it for over 20 years now.
cool.
I dealt with removing wallpaper once. It turns out that it is a great way to hide terrible walls. It was a lot more work than I expected to make said walls look good again.
Yep! It's crazy what people will do to hide things. Thank for the comments!
I agree with most of these, but I always laugh when I hear someone say they really loved a house, but didn't buy it because of the paint color. Repainting a home to a color you like is easy and inexpensive so walking away from a home because of paint color is silly to me.
I can’t disagree. Nevertheless, as crazy as it sounds, it happens.
lol my husband and I are in the process of buying a house and I will tell you that he sees things like paint and landscaping as insurmountable tasks. He doesn’t want to have to lift a finger and certainly won’t pay someone for it. Luckily his wife is handy 😂.
I swear this man would buy a spit shined turd as long as it was pretty. Little bit of tarnish on a gold chalice and he would chuck it in the trash.
It is silly but it is true
You are so right! The home we bought in 2016 had been on the market for about 8 months. The sellers had already moved out of state. They kept lowering the price 10,000 a month (from 380,000 to 297,000) and when they reached out magic number, we JUMPED on it. The problem with the house? Each room was painted a different pastel color, some with different colors on different walls in the same rooms. I LOVE our home and it just needed some paint!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436
consumers have their "right" to dislike, no matter how significant or insignificant.
I really think, things that improve the structure of the home, like new windows doors, roof etc are things realtors should emphasize and buyers should look out for. These are big ticket items, and if you're buying you should expect them in great condition, if they have been replaced all the better.
Not only that, HVAC, and seismic retrofits in California.
My personal deal breaker is converted garages. Would never consider a home where the attached garage was turned into a bedroom or other living space.
You are spot on and make me so lonesome for OH! We moved to CO 3 years ago and are appalled at the poor quality but super high cost of homes here! Anyone who lives in OH ; be thankful! (❤Go Buckeyes🤗)
O-H!! 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
I agree. We moved from Utah and the quality is horrendous. I do love this state though (FABULOUS library system) because we lived in Utah before that and having come from NY (humid summers!) I fell in love with climate and now in Northern Colorado we have the same climate. I would have stayed in Utah, but we needed to sell and couldn’t afford in the area where I would willingly live in Utah again … which would be in Salt Lake. I love Salt Lake.
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 I-O🥰
Agree! We moved here from Northern VA and had a beautiful house back east. Not one thing about that house we didn't love.The houses they are building here in the Denver area are trash. Lots are small, materials are garbage and workmanship is embarrassing. We use the term "Over-priced and under-whelming". These damn round corners and knockdown plaster walls and ceilings are so lazy and ugly but everyone uses them. Good thing the nature here is so beautiful and makes us want to spend more time outside than inside. No bugs/no humidity and tons of sun though so I can't cry about that.
(Native Michigander and U of M alum. Go Blue! 😎😉)
Paint and wallpaper are not expensive upgrades. Decorate your house for you. You don't have to live in a beige/white rooms because you may sell in a few years.
Thanks for the comment dmp608! I appreciate you stopping by! I agree, decorate your house for you! Just keep in mind, when you go to sell it, wallpaper can be enough to make buyers take a pass.
It’s definitely something you should be okay with taking out or repainting when you leave.
That's fine, if you are prepared to repaint and remove the wallpaper ahead of the sale. I will pass on every house that has strong primary coloured paint and wallpaper that has to be removed by the buyer.
@@jnwood8611 Painting is easy and cheap. Not buying a home because of paint is so silly. It's probably one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do to your house and even an old grandma can paint a room DIY.
It is almost as if you missed the point of the video!
I live in northern California, paid off my house going to retire in 18 months, i upgraded my house and plan to live here until i die. My sister is going to inherit my house since i have no children or spouse. By the way am a fashion designer by trade and my house is not your regular house, its my over the top decor maximist dream house, but a tacky house for many.
Sounds like fun! I’d love to see it!
I bet it's not tacky❤❤❤
@@gretchenburton7184 when I have people over they seem to love it, take pictures and get ideas. When is Christmas time , I don't need to decorate, it looks ready for whatever holiday we have, my family loves having get togethers in my house. I know I said tacky, I love unusual things and make it my own, meaning I take a boring frame and make it fabulous.
@@otreborfashionscene5986 I love it even tho I haven't seen it!!!
I wish we could see it! You do you boo ❤
A newly remodeled home down the street where homes sell within 6 weeks is still on the market 2 months later. They wallpapered several rooms with dark wallpaper, in addition to the painting every bedroom in a blues and green. So much money in a “flip” (with the designer stove) that is sooooo decorator specific.
Right?? It’s crazy what potential buyers will stay away from, even in a low inventory market.
We rent a house that has been neglected for about a decade. The owner painted the exterior, but I’m painting the interior. I’ve done a lot of custom colors in here. But I also know it’s temporary. When we leave, we will go through it with the owner and if there’s anything he doesn’t like, I’ll just paint it out another color. We have a paint gun and compressor, so it will be quick and easy.
I also fixed up the backyard. It was just a mud pit, so I leveled it out and put in weed sheets and rocks. We’re putting in a pergola for shade. But all the plants are in pots and are coming with us, or are low/no maintenance plants that just survive on their own in the climate. But I keep it cheap and simple. Even the pergola is something we’re building ourselves, not something we spent thousands on!
Great idea! At some point, I would love to add a pergola, I’ll be doing DIY as well!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 Careful with the pergola. I built a pergola on my parent's deck, and apparently they got their hands slapped when they sold, because we didn't pull the proper permits. Woops.
Nice video Burnsy! I agree to all, especially wallpaper and textured walls/ceilings is a major turnoff for potential buyers due to the tedious and expensive process of removing it.
💯 scraping texture is the worst! Thanks for the comments. Appreciate it!
The times I've bought a house, I told my realtor to avoid those with pools. Also, those with wallpaper!
Right??? Some people think wallpaper is coming back. Layer after layer, ugh. So much work to undo!
I have the impression modern wallpaper is significantly easier to install and remove. Not sure if homebuyers will appreciate this distinction but they probably should.
Wallpaper is easy to remove. Most papers are now "dry strippable" solid vinyl. The vinyl simply peels of, leaving behind a paper backing. Wet it with warm water, use a putty knife, and a room can get stripped in a short amount of time.
Why? You can't strip wallpaper? It isn't hard to do most of the time. Most wallpaper peels off easily and then you wash the wall and it's ready for paint. I don't understand you people who can't see past a paint colour or a bit of wall paper.
You can buy peel & stick wallpaper that's easy to remove when it's time to sell. It's good for adding accents to a room, which may be easier than smothering the entire room with wallpaper.
Agreed! That stuff is awesome!
This was very helpful. Thank you! Enjoyed your delivery of the material in a short time.
Thank you so much for the comment! If you’re local to northeast Ohio and you ever need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!
With my 2nd house I added a water filtration system for the whole house. After I sold my house and purchased a new one, I wished I took it with me 😂😅. Didn’t realize how much I would miss it.
Well said. Agree with pretty much all of these, even as a Florida Realtor. I would just add that the degree of return for a particular upgrade is hyper-local. It can be figured by looking at recent sold comps for a particular area. If all the comparable homes recently sold there had updated flooring, you may get a better return for floors (still not 100). Rule of thumb if you plan on selling soon, consult your trusted local realtor before making expensive upgrades lol
I always love getting comments like this from other realtors! I appreciate the comment! Thank you for the engagement, and for stopping by!
So glad u brought up pools . We refused several homes throughout the years because they had pools. We have had a pool don’t want another , too expensive to maintain..
I don’t even live in Cleveland (I live in Texas), but most of which you speak about also pertain to getting your house ready to sell down here. Strange enough, my grandmother actually had a basement, which is beyond rare in Texas, so maybe your advice in another video might have applied to her, I can just let go of items that don’t pertain to me while I absorb all the great advice that does pertain to me. I’m looking to maybe selling my home in the next 6 months or so and I most definitely need things fixed and updated. The first thing I’ll do is get an inspection so I know exactly what MUST be fixed first…which will also eat up the first part of my total budget and then go from there. Also, I agree that you do not want to be the most expensive house in the neighborhood. The comps will scare people away. Thanks for your advice and perspective!
Thank you for the comment! I’m glad you found the content helpful! Good luck selling!
Some Realtors will recommend NOT doing your own home inspection
1) you may spend money on something the next owners do not prioritize
2) If you know about an issue brought up in the inspectionn you must fix or disclose it in the listing.
I will not buy a home with a pool of any kind. Wall paper turns me off immediately. Yep about the paint. These are all really good points. Any upgrades that aren't going to be something that you will enjoy, buying them to sell a house is sort of silly. You really have to research your market. Make sure your home is immaculately clean. A light neutral new coat of paint can freshen the indoors. Fix the obvious eyesores or potential problems before an inspector points them out. A clean home that is debris-free is an improvement that mostly takes elbow grease - and it makes your home sellable. Also, make sure you get good photography for the Internet postings. I've seen such bad photography that I've written agents and told them that I'd fire them if they had used such poor photography to sell my house. Thanks for the informative video!
Thanks for the comment Ju Pru! I appreciate you stopping by, and I appreciate you engaging and leaving a comment. Thank you for your perspective! And between you and me, I use one of the most expensive photographers in Cleveland for a reason. Good point!
I will NOT buy a house that doesn't have a pool. I'll pay way more for a nice pool. Everyone is different.
You can't just paint the room the colour you want or strip off the wallpaper? I feel for the people like you who can't see past something so cosmetic. Doing them just to sell your home is one thing, it's another to be 'turned off' to a home you like otherwise.
Here in the desert, pools are very common and desirable and not at all difficult to maintain.
@@networth00 I would buy a house with room for a pool rather than a house with a pool so that I can build it to my standards. Most people build those useless lagoon style pools. Mine is a lap pool strictly for exercise and use it daily during the season.
This must be for Cleveland market. There's some I agree with but having an in ground pool in places like Florida adds value to a home. In the pandemic people realized the value of a pool a lot! Also it really does depend on the buyer and what they value for some of your mentions especially higher end kitchen appliances and custom kitchen cabinetry. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes.
Homeowner must consider if they're going to derive any value out of it as well if they plan to live in the house a while after doing upgrades.
Agreed! This is more for people selling thinking that over-the-top extravagant upgrades are going to pay for themselves. Although kitchens and bathrooms definitely add value, there comes a point that it no longer does. You can't do a $40,000 kitchen and expect to add $50,000 to the sale price.
Wallpaper is not only a poor return on investment, it is a turn off. If looking to buy a home and I see wallpaper, I will walk out the door because all I see is the added expense of having it removed. Even if I like the paper, it is a turn off because eventually you tire of it and it is a hassle to remove it. Another thing….people love to say you get a great return on investment with kitchen and bath renovations. What I have learned is you do bath and kitchen renovations to enjoy for yourself because the renovations never pay for themselves when you sell. Renovations definitely help sell but they rarely, if ever, pay for themselves.
I would disagree...kitchens and bathrooms are the best actual renovations that you can do for a return on investment.
Wall paper and paint are cheap items and frankly if someone turns down an otherwise great house for those they sound like a first time buyer
When I walk a house I am looking for money...meaning significant money the seller has spend or significant money I am going to have to spend
Examples include a kitchen or a bathroom that needs to be gutted
Either way, if I like the floor plan, neighborhood etc my offer is based on what I think I am going to have to spend to get the house updated
Staging does nothing for me. I need the MLS sheet( mainly for the room measurements) and good walk through of what the house is and what it might need
Then I get out the calculator and base my offer on comps in the same neighborhood with pluses and minuses for updating( or lack of)
@@turnne I think the point is that a kitchen renovation can cost you about 100K and the odds of you selling the house for 100K more because of the renovation is slim to none. I have done renovations and know others who have done renovations and have never heard of anyone recouping the cost when they sell. The exception to that rule is if you do the renovations yourself. I would imagine you would definitely recoup what you spent on materials when you go to sell.
@@lizhoward9754 What was the price point of the house they were doing 100K kitchen renovation on?
I will say that sounds like a renovation on a $3-4 million dollar home...and I would add that someone would need to have bathrooms that are renovated to the same level as the kitchen to obtain a large upside in selling price
@@turnne About 11 years ago I spent 120K on a renovation on a house that sold for 650K 6 years later in 2019. Had I sold the house “as is” we may have gotten 580K in 2019. Now that renovation included not only the kitchen but replacing the 1930s electrical, 1930s plumbing and a kitchen that was had very cheap 1960s cabinets that were falling apart. That 2013 120K got us new plumbing, new electrical, medium grade kitchen cabinets, moderately priced appliances and quartz countertops on a 825 sq ft house. This was in DC which is much more expensive than Chicago. What I can tell you is there was NO way we would have recouped everything we spent on the renovation. The renovation did generate a lot of offers and people outbidding each other
@@lizhoward9754 OK..LOL a lot of what ifs and unknowns in your situation. First off.. it was several years ago and hopefully you know markets change. The other part is I have no idea what type of neighborhood you lived in. Were people paying for those type of renovations...did you go too low or too high with the work done in your home compared to others in the neighborhood?
I am assuming you replaced the electrical and plumbing because it needed replacing.
Are you saying someone would have paid $580k for a house that needed electrical and plumbing work?....How would the house have passed a home inspection?
Thank you for the Harley tip! I wanna becone a motorcycle baby, one day 😊! Am a homeowner (co-op in NYC) and real estate investor! Just came across your channel - don't know how you ended up on my feed! But a new subscriber and glad I am here!
Welcome to my channel! Glad you are here! I just recently heard about co-ops in New York City, go figure! Very interested to learn a little bit more about how those work! That’s nothing I have ever experienced here in Ohio! Cheers, and have a great evening!
Good info. Thanks
What a wild ride this was; especially when you’re talking about housing prices in the low to mid 6 digits.
Pretty much all these renovation trap avoidance recommendations would lose you money here in Sydney rather than improve things.
I disagree with the lighting issue,for the most part,if you love them,switch them out for generic (even from the thrift store) lighting before you list the house. I’ve done this with a couple of moves I’ve made. Easy peasy 🙌🏻
Hey Laura! Thanks for sharing. I agree with you. I was saying that upgrading to extravagant, expensive light fixtures thinking you will get a return on that investment isn't the best idea. 100% agree with you though, thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, second hand stores, all great places to find inexpensive upgrades to help update the look of your home when you're selling!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 and to leave a cheap one with the house if you love the expensive,extravagant one you bought and want to take it to your next house.
@@lauramitchell6725It is not a given the fixture will be the right proportion/style for the new house so reselling the fixture might be an option.
Cheap light fixtures are Tacky.
@@dennisbaker1003 I should have said “thrifted”, as in “cheap price”, because you can get really quality lighting at Reuzit stores. (I got a Hunter ceiling fan with light for $5.00)
Very helpful- thank you!
Glad it was helpful! You're very welcome!
This is very helpful. I’ve often wanted a pool but I can see that not everyone thinks so.
Thank you for the comment, Lori! Glad you found it helpful!
I had a pool in my previous home. When I was 25 it was great! I used it frequently…now at 58 in my home of 23 years I’m delighted NOT to have a pool to maintain and the added expense of the increased homeowners premium. I live in Florida, but pools are ALOT of work to maintain or very expensive if you pay someone to do so…and pumps burn out..they are EXPENSIVE!
I concur with this list with one exception. Peel-and-Stick wallpaper is readily available these days. And, it comes in many patterns. So, if you want to add wallpaper today go for it! When you go to sell just peel it off!
That's a great point Tammy! I do love that stuff!
Definitely a regionalized video. Living in Phoenix, a pool and mature desert landscaping is a major addition
I’ve heard this a few times from Arizona residents. Thank you for sharing!
Great list.
A great ROI is a large, well-built, economical storage shed. Everyone needs storage, and it can be a tie breaker.
Thanks for the comment! I hadn’t thought of a storage shed as an equity build!
If you have arwas of dead/patchy grass/pine needles, weeds or dirt that doesnt have enough time to fill in its best to fix those/cover problematic perimeter areas with barkdust than worry about what some future buyer might or might not do with it.
Congratulations . Excellent informations !
I appreciate your advice is meant for the USA market but for an audience elsewhere it sounds like don't do anything to your house because others might not like it, which is fine for those who still think that property flipping is still a great way to make money. For the rest of us who have bought in an area we like and like the house we live in I'd say decorate your home for your own taste & needs, don't worry too much what others will like.
Thank you for the comment, and I agree and appreciate with your point of view. This video, once again, is for people who are doing upgrades specifically to get more money for their home. It’s not for people who want to buy a home and live it for a long time, or for people who aren’t planning on selling their home in the next couple of years.
I adore my home but have been pulling out most of the garden beds. An odd mix of clashing plants that was just a mess. The previous owners were so proud of it but to me it was just an eyesore.
I’ve sold 4 homes so far. All these things he’s talked about sold our home within a week. It may not have added value for the Realtor, but it seals the deal. But sure, if you want to have your home sit on the market for months to make an extra 10 grand, go right ahead.
It all depends on how long you plan to live in the home. Make the home you want to live in.
Agreed!
Good stuff. Subscribed.
This may a list for when you want to sell your home, however, people generally do these things well before they are thinking of selling. They do them because it's their home and that's what they want. I honestly feel for people who can't get past wallpaper, paint, and a messy house when shopping for a home. All of those things are easy to fix/change. the mess won't be there when the current owners move out. I also think a well designed, nice kitchen is a plus not a minus regardless of the neigbourhood.
Great comment! This video actually IS for people who are selling soon. Thanks for the comment and for stopping by!
What do people think about walk-in showers? My husband and I like our house and our 2 full bathrooms have the tub/shower combo, but we have always wanted a walk-in shower in our master bath. We aren’t planning on selling anytime soon, but probably in the future. Or rent it. Would this add any type of value in the future? (It’ll be the marble slab look)
I know this is a nitpick, but that "over the top home theater" example looks like it easily converts into an ordinary family room. Unless... that happens to be an acoustically transparent screen and it has built in left, right, and center speakers behind it. Then it's more work to convert back. As "home theaters" go that's pretty understated and what I consider more of a multipurpose or media room. (I will admit that there's a difference between ordinary people "over the top" and home theater geek "over the top.")
That's definitely a great point. This was more of a, "don't create it thinking it will add value" type of a thing. I'm all about home entertainment areas, but for a lot of buyers, it doesn't add value to a home, and most buyers won't pay more for it because it's there.
I ripped out a home theater on a house that was built in 1999. The house was a total gut job down to the studs, new everything, wiring plumbing, HVAC windows, doors. That old home theater now houses my 2 channel audio listening room. We choose not to have television in our home. The gut job I did is well supported in our neighborhood as many others are doing the same by eliminating the "Spanish" interiors, excess arches, curved walls and funky layouts. The HOA won't allow a lot scrape unless the house is severely damaged by fire for example. The exteriors of the homes have to keep pretty much in line with what was originally built. As for television, I think most are happy to plaster one above the fireplace or something. I guess that appeals to those who enjoy commercials and other crap programming.
great advice
I have to say I much prefer a textured orange peel wall with an eggshell paint as compared to a flat matte wall.
Great video though. Good points.
Thank you so much for dropping by, and for the comment The Fizz! I always enjoy hearing what different people enjoy. Thanks for the engagement!
Clark Howard states "The reason you do an improvement to your home is that you want to" "Because you end up losing money when you do a home improvement; you don' t make money."
I agree with that if it's just to enjoy while you're living there. This video was more for people who are considering doing updates JUST to sell it at a higher price.
Be Clark Smart. "Save more, Spend less and don't get ripped off", I believe when he had his radio program on AM 750 WSB radio in Atlanta.
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 Most realtors would prefer that the seller scrape the lot, build a brand new house then sell it at a discount! Yes, I am being sarcastic. Having owned over 40 rental properties during the past 15 years. Getting those ready to sell, is to clean them up, put in decent neutral finishes that appeal to "that" market and be done with it. The new buyers are going to come in with their HGTV ideas; go to Home Goods and get a lot of that weird "word art" for the walls, big clocks and other made in China junk to cover the walls and furnish the places. We know the look, grey everything, 5,000k LED light bulbs and a HONKING HUGE TEE VEE with massive over stuffed sectional sofas so the family can watch the Super Bowl. Oh, two HUGE trucks parked in the driveway, front facing out! We know the look, we know the type of neighborhood. No thanks!
Tacky wall to wall carpet- or ANY wall to wall carpet! kitchens in the basement! If you want to add a sink- but it in a laundry room! & Why do homeowners spring for expensive solar panels on their roofs & NOT finish their basements?
100% agree that a basement should be finished before solar panels! Although, solar panels can add value to your home. It can be pretty enticing to a potential buyer, knowing that their energy bills will be so low! That’s the gift that keeps on giving all year around lol. Fully agree on the tacky carpet!
Definitely agree with the list.............living in San Jose, CA
I live in the Boston area and 75% of my neighborhood has pools, a lot are large ingrounds (which is very unusal for New England). At best you have 3 months of warm weather. We've also had a very rainy weather pattern lately and most of these pools stay unused the whole season. It's not unusal to see them closed up the end of August. When we were looking to buy we saw homes with inground pools and my first though was how much it would cost to remove them.
Right? That's how a lot of people feel as well.
Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing and new subscriber here
Thanks John!! So happy to have you as a subscriber! Cheers!
Great video spot on Good Luck
Thank you! 🙏🏼
good advice
Glad it was helpful!
I’ve been blasting this, this my type of music haha
LOL
The only thing I’ve seen add to the sales price is when you add conditioned space. Everything else might make you happy but it doesn’t make it sell for more later.
We were house hunting a month ago near Cumberland, MD. One house had a pool and that was the ONLY reason I wanted to see it. Photos showed a wonderful pool on a sunny day. Unfortunately, when I insisted on looking at it after several houses, I was highly disappointed. Pool deck was in poor condition with missing boards and the pool itself was full of bright green algae water that was horribly gross. Despite the nice house, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. No wonder it had been on the market for 90+ days at the time.
Oh gosh, I'm so sorry this happened to you! So frustrating when realtors do this kind of thing. You might as well be transparent about all the defects up front, because if the buyers don't see it, the home inspector will. I'm sorry your time was wasted.
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 - Not really,, I got the pool house out of my system and we put a contract on one of the 5 houses we looked at. Put new flooring and paint throughout my current house and sold it in 4 days for $90-60K more than my realtor estimated before we did just those two things. Yes, they cost a pretty penny as I used professionals and good materials, but well worth at it and we move in 3 weeks into a wonderful home built in 1920 with original woodwork and so much character.
Yeah, Buirnsy, my wife and I did some landscaping to a home we evemtually sold. We've driven by it a time or two and were shocked at the neglected yard we saw. Much money down the drain plus we lost money on the house. Yuck!
Thank you for putting the pool on the list. I live in Washington State. On both sides of the state, pools are a turn off. You can only use them 2-3 months of the year, unless you have 5 acres and a indoor pool (and a very high-end, expensive home). I absolutely will not buy a home with a pool here. Not worth it.
Thanks for sharing! I'm in Ohio, and people really only use a pool mid-may through mid-September. Lots of expense for not a lot of use. But, some people wouldn't buy a home without it. I'm with you though, I'm not buying a home with a pool. I think pools are like boats. You don't need a boat, you just need a friend that has one LOL.
My boy has one of those chandelier light fixture type things, but it made a little more sense because he has huge vaulted ceiling with windows. He does most of the work himself I’m guessing he probably capped out at 3-5k max.
Very cool! I’m a sucker for a vaulted ceiling. And you can save so much money with DIY.
As to wallpaper, the best thing you can do is paint your walls white or just-off-white and leave the color in your home to your furniture, wall art, and other accessories. If you do choose knockdown texture, be sure to choose a high-grade semi-gloss paint like Sherwin-Williams Cashmere paint (it used to be known as Kwal Liquid Vinyl before Sherwin-Williams bought Kwal) - cheap, flat, or satin paint will NOT work. Trust me, you want a thick paint like semi-gloss and the resulting look and easy cleaning and maintenance of your knockdown textured walls will more than make up for the added expense.
Agreed! Thanks for the engagement, and comment!
We live in las vegas, it seems like everyone here wants to buy a house with a pool already in but no one wants the pain of putting them in 🤣 We told our realtor 'will not even consider houses with a pool' and she said lots of people here have it as a must. But it's a totally different climate here.
Yep, agreed!
This is solid. It's not saying don't do these things to your home. It's saying be aware of these things in terms of return on investment. If you are doing things for your own use and enjoyment then it's worth it but if you expect a return on investment then you are probably not going to see it.
Thank you Cheryl. I’m grateful that I have viewers like you that understand what my content is about.
As a real estate appraiser, I agree with this message. Do NOT over-improve your home, people! Especially if you don't plan on staying a while. A few others I would mention would be: 1. New Gutters. No one cares. 2. Windows. They are super expensive and you will never get the return on investment in the short term. Unless the windows are broken, do not replace them if you are selling. 3. HVAC / HWH. Unless your mechanical systems are not working, do not replace these things. A buyer may appreciate this, but it will NOT necessarily increase the value of your home. Essentially, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. On the flip side, if you have really dated older cabinets, paint them white or grey. Also add some new hardware. This goes for the kitchen and bathrooms. This is one of the "lipstick on a pig" improvements that are relatively cheap and go a long way in making your house look updated. Also, if your bathrooms have really old and ugly vinyl flooring, sheet vinyl or even the planks are cheap in small spaces. Totally worth the few hundred bucks. With painted cabinets and new flooring, your bathrooms can now be called "updated" rather than "dated."
Excellent comments!! Agreed, all around! Good point about the gutters, I hadn't thought of that one. Correct, nobody cares enough to make this a deal breaker or a selling point. Thank you for the engagement! Stop by and drop comments! Always hearing from experienced appraisers and inspectors!
White kitchens are OUT out!! Should Never paint over good wood cabinets. Stain them instead.
If you paint your cabinets, make sure to prepare the surfaces properly and make very sure that you can produce a smooth result! Visible brush strokes on painted cabinets or flaking paint might be worse than just cleaning the old varnish. Ordering new cabinet door replacements, on the other hand, can be a magnificent transformation.
I've purchased three old homes, Chicago, DC and Denmark and have always gotten top dollar when I sell. Any renovation, cosmetic or otherwise has always been done so that the look compliments the age and style of the house and hard to change fixtures are neutral.
I was recently shopping for a home and immediately dismissed any home with a pool. They're a safety hazard (I have young grandchildren) and cost a ton to maintain. Get a portable jacuzzi instead!
I live in a city where we only have water from 5 am to 5 pm. A pool would have been a life saver, especially those days when i get home after 5 and can't do anything around the house or the garden because i would get dirty/sweaty and would not be able to really clean myself. Im not even talking about a massive pool, but a small one, just to splash.
That's really interesting! I hadn't considered that. I bet where you live pools are very popular and probably DO add marketability. Thank you for the comment! I appreciate the engagement!
Remember…. Appraisers are LAZY AF…. Most only look at square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms etc as compared to already sold comps. THAT IT. So even if the buyer is sold on your house it is likely it won’t appraise out for what they offered if you put more than the bare minimum to make it presentable.
Yep, sometimes appraisers don't even enter the home. They "drive by" to make sure it's still standing.
In California a pool is a necessity. A backyard without a pool is boring.
I make my house the way I want it when I move in so I can enjoy it. There is no way I would drop 10-40k on the way out. I’d rather lower the price.
To each their own! I appreciate your perspective.
There are updates that won’t fetch extra bucks, but will increase marketability. As long as it’s not overboard. Like higher end faucets, kitchen cabinets and other fixtures.
Another great point, thank you for the comment!
I was recently looking for house and as far as pools go, i wouldn't have minded buying a house with an above ground pool to try it out and see how i liked it. If i hated it, not a big deal. I can tear it down myself or maybe even post it for free on marketplace and someone would come and remove it from my yard. Then you just gotta shovel some dirt around and plant some grass. An in ground pool was a deal breaker though because if you decide you dont want it anymore, it costs thousands of dollars to have a crew come in with a lot of dirt and heavy equipment to fill in that massive hole in your yard.
Exactly! Great point! Thank you for the content!
I hope to live in my house til the day I die. I know that might not happen but that’s my goal. So when I updated my house in the last three years, I did everything the way I wanted it. Gave very little concern to resale. I live in what could easily be considered a modest neighborhood to put it kindly. So, even though I really really wanted quartz countertops, I didn’t do it. It wasn’t going to be worth it in my neighborhood and for my size of house to do it.
In your situation, I would agree with you 😊 This video was for people preparing their home specifically to sell it.
I have laminate countertops in the bathrooms and kitchen. I'll be selling in a year or so. Should I change those to quartz before I sell???
If it were me, I would change to quarts or granite. It makes your home much more marketable. It might not add a ton of value, but it will help a buyer pick your home over another competing home in the same area.
If you like the light fixture then you enjoy it and new owners can just change it.
I agree you should put the light fixtures in your home to enjoy them yourself. Believe it or not, though, some new owners aren’t willing to do anything. They will just move onto a different house. Never ceases to amaze me!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 oh, I definitely know that. Friend in a $1.3M house in Utah replaced their entry chandelier and all the light fixtures with restoration hardware fixtures … the new owner took them all out and sold them! One fixture cost $8,000! And … the fixtures were only in the house for a total of two months. Now, the house sold very quickly AFTER they replaced the fixtures and the house was sitting on the market because no matter how great the market is,there aren’t a ton of buyers for $1.3M houses.
My friend recently bought a house where the former owners put in brand new carpet in all the rooms and on the stairs. My friend moved in and promptly had all that carpet downstairs ripped out and replaced with LVP. He plans on replacing the carpet upstairs to carpeting he likes better. That poor couple could have kept that money in their pocket. The new carpeting did not go into his decision to buy the house and it did not up the price or value of it either.
Thank you for the comment! This definitely happens sometimes! But who’s to say the carpet they had in there before wasn’t old and stained, and perhaps wouldn’t have attracted the buyers. You have to appeal the masses when you’re trying to sell your home. Their flooring was probably in very bad shape, and carpet can be the most cost effective way to make it look new.
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 But we saw the carpet they replaced. For some reason, they had the new carpet installed DURNG the selling process lol. Maybe they thought it would bring a higher offer? I don't know what they were thinking. They had some showings, stopped to install new carpeting, then continued showings. The old carpet really a bit old but wasn't in terrible shape.
I agree on these wild bright paint colors. I hate that. The nice neutrals and light taupe are best. No entertainment. Bla.
Pools don’t make sense in Ohio. I grew up in Pittsburgh. Same story there. I live in Dallas now. Pools are cool here.
They are a LOT of maintenance for 4-5 months of use every year, that’s for sure.
Disagree on landscaping. While I wouldn't incur a lot of additional costs in sprucing things up to sell, if you have kept the yard up and have done nice things along the way, it will help sell your home. Reason is, most buyers don't know or don't think about the work it requires, but the curb appeal is a big deal.
100% agree Brian! Keeping your curb appeal beautiful is a great idea! This video was more of a "return on investment" video. You can't add $15,000 in landscaping and hope to get another $15,000 out of it when you sell it. But, modest beautification can certainly increase marketability!
Out of all of these suggestions, and yes, there are some good ones in this video, I disagree with the grand landscaping comment. People who do not want a lot of landscaping should look for those properties that are just a house, a dirt backyard, and sidewalks because that is their overall goal in a home purchase. The beautifully landscaped yard sends a clear message that this home is not for the simplistic and that there is an elegant legacy and statement to carry on. I would hope that an exceptionally- landscaped yard will scare off those who are not of like-mind and do not have the passion to continue it (And this can go for other high-end features/amenities in a home too). There are all kinds of houses/[properties for all types of people.
High-maintenance landscaping is one thing, but impressive low-maintenance landscaping and hardscaping will almost always give a good return on investment in the right neighborhood.
I couldn’t agree more! Curb appeal is very important, it’s the first thing buyers will see when they pull up to your showing!
TLDR: put nothing in your house, just a blank concrete property with a blank white house as everything will be considered personal taste...
I appreciate the comment, although my professional staging consultants, designers, and a lot of data and research would disagree with you.
What about finishing a basement and adding a full bathroom?
Question... I live in a 1200 sq ft 2bed 1.5bath townhouse in the Twin Cities. i currently have a laundry room sandwiched between the kitchen and garage on the main level. It's tight. I have often thought about moving the laundry upstairs into a space that is accessible from the primary bedroom and main bathroom. Then i could use the current laundry space as more of a small mud room, and the laundry machines would be closer to where the laundry actually is. One caveat is i would likely have to downsize to compact laundry. For me, that's not a problem. For future potential buyers with kids, might be a turn off , even though the location is maybe better. Would this be a value add? Thoughts? Thank you!
Great question! My recommendation would be to GO FOR IT! In my experience, for families (especially the person doing the laundry) having the laundry appliances as close to the actual dirty laundry is a HUGE deal. In my opinion and with my buyers it would be worth having a slightly smaller washer/dryer if it meant not having to lug the dirty clothes across the home several times a week. Plus, the added benefit of the mud room is a really convenient touch! Thank you for your comment, and for stopping by!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 thank you! Now I have to find the room in the budget... Hehe
How much time do you really spend upstairs? Do you want to be going up and down every 30 minutes to rotate laundry? Will you hear the buzzer?
Just thoughts that are the same reason people want their laundry on the main floor and not in the basement . Most people spend their time on the main floor. Good Luck!
@@karensheppard1471 great point and question. During the work week, I'm upstairs working for 8 hours. During the weekend, I'm upstairs just to sleep. If the laundry was upstairs, I would probably do a load more spontaneously instead of letting it all build up for "laundry day."
Peel & stick wallpaper is as easy to remove as a post-it note. Go crazy and love the house your in then peel off the drama and return to boring white walls to sell.
Sounds like a great plan!
I agree with most of these. It's important to know what demographic your buyers are most likely going to be and just not get to carried away trying to check every box.
Biggest mistake I see as a short lived trend is these 15K waterfall edge islands and countertops. I love a nice tastful piece of stone, but some people just take it way to far. Oh, and 90% of the ones I see are just freaking ugly as hell.
Now, let's get back to Harley's....😊
Textured walls are standard and expected in many parts of the country. It’s a regional thing.
I’m learning that is true! Thanks for that!
Solid video
Thank you! I appreciate it.
I spent $30,000 on my renovations.
I did most of the work myself.
It took me 6 months.
I only hired for plumbing, electrical, baseboards and tile work.
I painted the entire house white with black accents
I built a beautiful fireplace with chevron tiles and I used left over lumber and drywall to create a modern fireplace.
I replaced the flooring in the basement, the kitchen, front entrance and bathrooms.
In the bathrooms, I replaced the toilets, showers and counter tops and sinks.
For the kitchen, i just bought new custom made doors and drawer plates for the old cabinets. I replaced the countertops with light colored quartz.
I also built a 3rd complete bathroom in the bassement.
The realtor told me that I added $100k of value to my house according to the comparables.
I got $125k and we had multiple offers on the first day.
It took my wife and I 6 months just to plan the renovations.
YESSS!! I love this! I love hearing stories about how renovations add value! Thank you SO much for sharing!
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 Thanks! But it was not so easy.
By the time I was about 70% done, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer.
It was a difficult time as I was told I had a 25% chance of surviving 5 years.
I am happy we decided to rent a house instead of buying.
That said, I am determined to beat those odds and live past 10 years.
Godspeed brother.
@@simondumoulin2254 thank you for sharing, and I appreciate your vulnerability. Thinking good thoughts for you for you to beat this thing! #FCancer
I hate seeing brand new appliances in a house I'm looking at. I don't want a $2k fridge that I didn't get to pick.
Thank you for sharing! Definitely a different perspective, and I’m so glad you commented!
Don't you have stand-alone fridges?
Out in eastern WA all the homes being built here have textured wall,.. which was surprising to me coming from from Northeast, where smooth walls are the norm. hate the textured walls so much.
… and what a pain to scrape and redo them! Ugh 😩
Same here in Florida. Texture is the norm.
Popcorn ceilings UGH!
@@lorimiller7949 exactly
What about cathedral (vaulted) ceilings?
Great questions! I suppose it depends on how much it costs to do!
If I do any of these...it will be my last home.
after living in rentals for years with neutral paint colors while I wouldn't go extreme I have to say more colors are better - his suggestions are ok and going extreme anything rarely helps - you honestly cant make every one happy there will always be someone who hates something the bigger thing to me is if you can get one for and a large yard maybe a garage every thing he mentioned will not matter to most. many people have some family or friend who has disabilities so one floor lets them come over
Agreed! Thanks for the comment!
When we bought our place it had dark purple in the kitchen n light purple in the adjoining family room. Needless to say the house was on the market for a long time. We got way under value.
We repainted the kitchen n light yellow n beige in the family room.
YESSS! Love to hear stories about buyers getting great deals on houses!
Bought a house with some wallpaper in a bathroom. Tore off wallpaper at my mother -in-laws in a staircase. Neither were hard to do. Very easy.
My MIL was vinyl. The vinyl came off the paper backing. I used my paint sprayer with just water in it to wet the paper, used a putty knife to scrap and the paper came off in big sheets.
I'm with you. A little wallpaper doesn't scare me. Unfortunately it's enough for some buyers to walk away, believe it or not. I'm always amazed at what little work some buyers are willing to do to get a home that checks all the other boxes. But, who am I to judge? To each their own.
@@LivingInClevelandOhio436 I am one of those people who walk away from wallpaper lol. My last home had wallpaper that was not easy to get off at all! It was extremely painful. I don't know what they used to put it on but I'll never deal with wallpaper again. Most of it is ugly anyway.
You should just make your home what you want. Obviously when you go to sell it you might not get money out of it, but if you’ve enjoyed it then great. If a future owner doesn’t like it …oh well.
I definitely agree with your perspective! This was more for homeowners who are trying to do renovations to get more for their home. Some sellers think that they can make expensive upgrades and they will get a return on their investment. Sometimes that is the case, but sometimes not.