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Projects that DON'T Add Value to Your Charlotte Home for Sale

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Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

 

Projects that Don’t Add Value to Your Charlotte Home for Sale


Charlotte NC ContractorsWe’ve discussed projects to do to your Charlotte home for sale that will add value when you ultimately re-sell.  Now, there is no simple way to discover which home-improvement projects will truly yield the highest return when you’re ready to sell your home.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder even in house hunting!  There are many variables that come into play such as the state of the real estate market when you put your Charlotte home up for sale, how old your home is, and the style of your home.  

Here are several costly projects to pass up if you want to get the biggest bang for your buck in Charlotte home renovation:

Extravagant Landscaping

Buyers expect a well-maintained yard; they don't expect the home's value to increase because of it. Beautiful landscaping may encourage potential buyers to take a closer look at your Charlotte home for sale, but it most likely will not add to the selling price.  If a buyer is unable or unwilling to put in the effort to maintain an elaborate garden, it becomes a negative feature rather than a positive one.

Swimming Pool

A swimming pool seems like fun to have, but can actually be more of a hassle than a pleasure. Many potential buyers consider swimming pools very expensive and time consuming to maintain.  Buyers may say no to an otherwise perfect house if it has a pool. Or, they may include in the contract a stipulation that the seller has to take down an above-ground pool or fill in an in-ground pool, at their own expense, before closing. 

High-End Upgrades

Buyers don’t want to see the absolute cheapest renovations in a Charlotte home for sale, but they also don’t want to pay more for the highest-priced upgrades that they don’t need.   Marble countertops in a kitchen and a built-in sauna in a bathroom are nice, but unless you have a high-end home in a high-end neighborhood, don’t expect to get your money back from these upgrades.

Don’t spend thousands of dollars on a home-improvement project that will not increase your home's value when it comes time to sell.  Do spend money on projects that will make your home a wonderful place to live in now and that may increase the selling price when you’re ready to sell.  We're happy to offer a free consultation regarding home improvements as well as a list of Charlotte contractors for you to interview.

Are you ready to sell your home?  I can help.  Give me a call or email me today.


 

Comments(6)

Sharon Lord
Maracay Homes - Peoria, AZ
New Home Advisor

Debe - GREAT blog!  Good to see the other side of the renovation coin.  Our market you'd see the same list.....

Sharon Lord
Argent Decor
AZ Vacation Home Furnishing Service

Feb 20, 2011 05:09 AM
Diane McDermott
Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

Don't get me started on pools!  Had buyers eliminate a house because the neighbor had a pool with a low fence in between - they had young kids and it was a big NO for them. Great list Debe!

Feb 20, 2011 05:22 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Great alert....sometimes it's just as important not to do "add ons".     Very often, a pool can "kill" interest in a property...so personal, that kind of reaction.

Feb 20, 2011 06:03 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Debe,

Absolutely great list! One really needs to take these items in consideration when investing in these items. For your personal standard of living..no problem..but don't expect to recoup the cost!

Feb 20, 2011 06:41 AM
Dawn Crawley
Dawn Crawley Realty - Pinehurst, NC
Find Pinehurst Homes

Great Blog Debe. Especially the pool. Most buyers either really want one or the REALLY don't.

Feb 20, 2011 12:31 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debe- Very good list.  If a homeowner wants to put a pool in for their family and the enjoyment it will bring... fine. They also need to understand that they cannot expect to get it back dollar for dollar should they sell their house.   I saw a house with an extremely elaborate back yard that the homeowner had put in and enjoyed keeping it up.  When he put it on the market some buyers didn't want to even think about having to maintain it. It ended up being a big negative.

Feb 20, 2011 01:12 PM