Property expert warns of home improvement which ‘seriously lowers’ your house price
Many people often choose to make home improvements during the summer months. Whilst many think that putting money into the home through renovations will increase the value of their property, an expert has warned otherwise.
According to Joshua Houston, property expert at Household Quotes, some improvements can have the opposite effect and actually “devalue” your home.
This includes a swimming pool which many homebuyers see as an expensive feature to run and maintain.
The expert explained: “It can also only be used during the warmer days of the year, which in the UK isn’t many.
“This will put many buyers off, as they might have to get rid of the pool if they choose to buy the property. Due to the additional costs, this could devalue the property.”
Cinema rooms are a dream for film lovers, but they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea as they can be expensive to install.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
According to the expert, they add no real value to a property and buyers will know right away if they’ll use the room or not.
Similarly, converting a garage into a gym may seem like a great idea, but this isn’t always cost-effective.
The property pro said: “This is because some buyers will be looking for a home that specifically has a garage to either store their car or other belongings.
“Removing that might reduce the demand for your property which ultimately decreases the value.
Don't miss...
‘I’m a bathroom design pro - here are renovation mistakes you need to avoid’ [LATEST]
Air fryer salmon with warm potato salad is the perfect summer dinner [EXPLAINER]
Keep bread mould-free for at least 8 days with expert's ‘age-old’ storage method [EXPERT]
Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea
“Built-in electronics are great to save space, but there’s no guarantee that electronics that are useful for you will be welcomed by someone else.
“Certain electronics might be seen as a waste of space and running costs by potential buyers, and the process of removing them is much harder than non-built-in electronics. This results in extra costs, which could easily devalue your home.”
Removing a bedroom is also a bad idea as it can “seriously lower” the asking price of your home.
This is particularly common when a child moves out of their family home but it isn’t always welcomed by buyers.
When it comes to the look of a home, having a brightly coloured front door can be effective depending on the surrounding houses and area.
Joshua explained: “However if your home sticks out too much in a sea of darker and more traditional colours then this could be a problem.
“You’ll have to find a buyer who likes brighter-coloured properties and this tends to be rare which devalues the home. Alternatively, a new buyer will have to pay to paint over, costing them more money which will come out of the buying price.”
Other bad home improvements include making a property too personalised, especially if you’re looking to sell.
The expert continued: “We all take pride in our homes, but we also want to know that the money we’re putting into improving our property is worthwhile.
“Not everything that is popular to you will be welcomed by others so it’s important to keep that in mind if you ever plan to sell.
“Having a desired property increases its value, so do everything in your power to get as much money as possible. Taking the above advice into account could end up saving you a lot of money."
