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11 Home Improvement Projects That Don't Add Value

Dusty Rhodes • April 1, 2024

Some improvements have limited appeal to home buyers, and may even affect your sale price when you go to sell.


One of the best things about owning a home is the ability to change things up, whether it’s knocking down a kitchen wall to open up space or filling your backyard with your favorite fruit trees. That freedom also offers unlimited opportunities to make mistakes, at least when it comes to spending money on home improvements that don't add the value you’d hoped for.


Of course not all home improvements are made with an eye toward adding value. Your home is your castle to enjoy as you please. If, however, you’re planning to sell soon, it might be a good idea to consider whether the improvement projects you’re considering will pencil out when you’re ready to move on. 


Don’t expect a dollar-for-dollar return


Modest home improvements that tend to make the home cleaner, safer and more functional are good bets for sellers, according to Zillow® research. However, big-ticket items, such as pools, major kitchen and bath remodels and extensive landscaping undertaken for the sole reason of adding value might not bring the return you hoped for.


According to the Remodeling 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, which estimated the return on investment on some common home improvement projects, only four improvements boosted value on resale: electric heating and air conditioning conversion, garage door replacement, manufactured stone veneer and replacing a steel entry door.*


What’s more, Zillow research into home features that help homes sell for more — or less — than expected shows that buyer preferences change over time. So a trendy home update made today for the sole purpose of adding value can seem dated — or even detract from the value — in five or 10 years. 


With that in mind, here are 11 home improvements that might not pay off when you sell your home. 


1. Turning your kitchen into a white wonderland


According to Zillow research into the paint color preferences of home buyers, a white kitchen can hurt a home’s sales price by more than $600. Instead, today’s buyers tend to prefer dark gray tones such as charcoal and graphite.


If you don’t care about the trends at the time of resale or if you plan to repaint prior to selling, you might consider how you want to feel in any given room and paint accordingly. Or you can just go wild.


2. Adding a walk-in closet


Zillow’s 2024 research into home listings shows that walk-in closets can hurt a home’s value by 0.7%, a relatively small amount but an indication that it might not be worth the cost to add a space where you can see all your clothes. If you’re tempted to turn a small bedroom into a closet, think twice before doing so. Home shoppers usually search for homes based on the number of bedrooms, and a homes’ value is derived in part from the number of bedrooms it has. Bottom line: a bedroom is going to be more valuable to most buyers than a walk-in closet.


 3. Adding a deck

A wood deck costs about $17,051, but this home improvement does not add value overall — it only adds $8,553 at the time of sale, a return of about half what you’ll spend, according to the Cost vs. Value report. The cost is even higher for composite materials, and the return even lower: just under 40%.


This is one of those features, though, that might transcend costs considerations. If you love a good deck for entertaining, it could be worth it to build it for your own enjoyment, without worrying about whether you’ll get a full return on your investment down the road. And if the deck improves the view from the property, it could make the home more attractive to buyers while allowing you to enjoy a better view in the meantime. Also, home buyers’ enthusiasm for outdoor features remains high, so anything that enriches home life outdoors could be a win.


4. Turning your garage into a bedroom

While bedrooms are certainly important, you might not want to sacrifice a garage to create one. Listings that mention garages are associated with a slight sales premium: 0.3%, according to Zillow’s 2024 analysis of listings data. Parking is often tight in urban areas, and with the high price of cars, homes that allow for safe parking could have an edge over homes without a garage that can also serve as a handy storage space. 


An exception could be if you converted the space into an Accessory Dwelling Unit, also known as an ADU, casita or mother-in-law unit. Zillow research shows that growing numbers of buyers want the ability to rent out all or some of their home. Additional Zillow research suggests that private spaces are growing in demand, and sellers are mentioning “privacy” or “private spaces” in their listings more frequently than in the past. If your home is short on private spaces, it could make sense to convert the garage. 


If you’re trying to gauge whether a garage is a must-have for most buyers in your local market, consult a local real estate agent. 


As for that extra usable space that was a must-have during the peak of the COVID pandemic, when people who could work from home did so, it’s possible the return to office work will see a slowdown in listings that mention private space.


5. Installing an in-ground swimming pool

This one is a mixed bag. Whether the pool becomes an asset or a liability depends on a number of things, including the pool’s size, age, condition, location on the property and housing market. The main drawback is the cost, and the fact that other projects would be a greater return for the same money.


An in-ground pool can set you back about $23,370, according to the home services website Thumbtack, which calculated the national average cost of installing a pool over the last four years. Add in fencing and landscaping, and you’re looking at an investment of nearly $30,000, according to Thumbtack.


If you’re a pool person, that is money well-spent. If you’re not, you’re not likely to recoup the cost of building one. A Zillow analysis of 2023 home sales found that homes with saltwater pools sell nearly three days faster and sell for about $5,238 more than comparable homes without one. 


But depending on the climate, prospective buyers might not want to spend the time and money and vigilance it takes to keep a pool clean and safe. This could translate into fewer views and offers when you go to sell. 


6. DIY — done badly

We love DIY, and there are plenty of projects you can do yourself to improve your surroundings. But there’s also a reason skilled tradespeople command high prices. Their expertise helps ensure beautiful outcomes that a new buyer isn’t going to have to spend money to redo. When you’re DIYing something for the first time – tiling a bathroom, for example, or installing a hardwood floor – there’s a learning curve that you should account for.


If you have a hankering for a feature, and want to see what you can pull off with your own labors, make sure you have the skill to tackle it. Spending big money on materials isn’t going to feel too good if the outcome is poor.


7. Creating a luxury bathroom


Bathroom remodels are some of the most expensive improvements you can undertake. Even a simple bathroom remodel can set you back more than $20,000, and won’t necessarily pay for itself when you go to sell. But the more luxury bells and whistles you add, the lower your return on investment.


For example, the cost report estimates a $24,000 mid range bathroom remodel would provide about a 67% return on investment, but an upscale one would return only about 37% of the $77,000 such a remodel could cost.


8. Wall-to-wall carpeting


Carpet has a lot of upsides, especially when it comes to warmth, and there are a ton of new styles and textures to spice up any space. But carpeting isn’t as popular as some other flooring options. For-sale listings that mentioned new carpet sold for slightly less (0.4% less) than comparable homes without it. 


Buyers, however, are willing to pay a small premium (1.2%) for luxury vinyl flooring. So if you’re thinking of floor coverings, and you like the feel of carpet on your feet, consider whether you’ll get the same enjoyment from an area rug.


9. Bamboo flooring


Bamboo is a relatively inexpensive and more sustainable form of flooring, but it, too, has fallen in popularity. Listings that mentioned bamboo floors sold for 0.8% less than comparable homes.


10. Laminate countertops


Changing up countertops can transform a kitchen or bath, but one material never seems to make it to the list of trendy or popular materials, and that’s laminate. Although there are some attractive options that mimic natural and made-made stone for a fraction of the price, homes sold in 2023 that mentioned laminate sold for 1.1% less than comparable homes.


11. High end fixtures


If you’ve got the money and derive pleasure from eye-catching fixtures, go for it. But it’s unlikely someone is going to buy your home because they’ve fallen in love with your $3,000 chrome faucet or light fixture. Consider choosing cost-efficient, attractive, well-made fixtures for updates instead.


Home maintenance has a big impact on home values


A well-maintained home can sell for about 10% more than a similar home in average condition, according to Thumbtack research.


So while improvements can add value to your home, regular maintenance will keep your home in better condition so that there are fewer improvements to tackle when you do decide to sell. Some things to keep an eye on: cleaning gutters, resealing grout in the kitchen and bath and having heating and air conditioning systems serviced regularly.




Source: Zillow


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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The Secret To Selling This Spring: Start the Prep Work Now

By Dusty Rhodes • February 17, 2025
Spring is the busiest season in the housing market. It’s the time of year when buyers are most active – that means it’s when homes sell faster and for top dollar. If you’ve already got a move on your mind, why not list this spring and take advantage of the added buyer demand ? Since spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house market-ready. You’ve got just over a month to do the prep work. And while that may sound like a decent amount of time, it’s going to go by quickly. And you won’t want to rush through this important task – especially this year. The Right Repairs Will Matter More This Spring Right now, two things are true. There are more homes on the market than there have been in years. And buyers are being extra selective. That combination means you need to invest some time and effort in making strategic repairs . And many homeowners already have a jump on this work. In the 2025 Outlook for Home Remodeling , Carlos Martin, Director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University , explains : “. . . homeowners are slowly but surely expanding the pace and scope of projects compared to the last couple years.” And the most common projects they’re tackling are replacing water heaters, HVAC units, and flooring. Energy efficiency is a key consideration too, based on home improvement data from the Census. What To Prioritize as You Plan Ahead But just because that’s what other homeowners are doing, it doesn’t mean that’s what you have to tackle. Think about what you’d want to see if you were a buyer. Focus on quick wins that are easy to knock out with the time you have – but, don’t ignore key repairs, especially ones you think could turn off buyers. While big-ticket items like replacing an old roof or outdated flooring may seem daunting, they can pay off – especially if you focus on projects with the best return on investment (ROI). An agent’s expertise is key in narrowing down your list to what’s actually worth it. They know what buyers in your area want and they also have data like this report from Zonda to guide you on which updates have the best ROI ( see green in the graph below ):

41 housing markets where inventory just tipped in favor of buyers

By Dusty Rhodes • February 10, 2025
Among the nation’s 200 largest housing markets, these 41 metro areas now have active inventory at or above 2019 pre-pandemic levels. While homebuyers and home sellers still see headlines about the housing market being a seller’s market and national home prices reaching all-time highs, a deeper look reveals that several regional housing markets have shifted, giving homebuyers some power. During the pandemic housing boom, from summer 2020 to spring 2022, the number of active homes for sale in most housing markets plummeted as homebuyer demand quickly absorbed almost everything that came up for sale. Fast-forward to the current housing market, and the places where active inventory has rebounded to 2019 levels (due to strained affordability suppressing buyer demand) are now the very places where homebuyers hold the most power. At the end of January 2025, national active inventory for sale was still 25% below January 2019 levels. However, more and more regional markets are surpassing that threshold. Among the nation’s 200 largest metro area housing markets, 41 markets ended January 2025 with more active homes for sale than they had in pre-pandemic January 2019. These are the places where homebuyers will be able to find the most leverage or market balance in 2025.

Selling vs. Renting Out Your House: Which Is Right for You?

By Dusty Rhodes • February 3, 2025
Leaving your current house and moving to another one gives you a few options. While most homeowners choose to sell outright, many opt to keep their old home and rent it out instead. This decision can be influenced by several factors: a strong rental market in your area, the advantage of a low current mortgage rate, or challenges in selling the house at the desired price. If you’re wondering whether to sell your house or rent it out, there are a few things to consider. Key Takeaways The answer depends on your circumstances, your housing situation, and your current finances. Selling your house may be the right option if you need the proceeds to purchase your next home or could make a profit. Renting out your house may be the right choice if you’re planning to live in your home again, have a low mortgage rate, or are looking for more income. What are the rental prices in the area? Does it make sense to rent your house? In some locations, rental prices can easily cover your mortgage payments. Depending on how much you have left on your mortgage or if you have a low mortgage rate, the rental income from your old house may cover the monthly payments, plus homeowners insurance and property taxes you pay. However, if you’ve recently purchased your house and are looking to rent it out, your mortgage payments may be too high for a lease to cover them. Take a look at houses that compare to yours with regard to size and location. This should give you a ballpark figure on what price your house can lease for. If you aren’t on a tight timeline to leave your current home, take notice of how quickly similar houses in the area take to lease. If rental properties stay empty for more than a few weeks, you may have trouble finding consistent tenants. A real estate agent can help match you with a tenant or give you an idea of your rental prospects. They can also give you insight into whether your location is desirable for tenants. For instance, if it’s near a university or larger employer, you may be able to rent to students or to employees who relocate for that large employer. However, if the house is far from the city center, or you’re located in a residential neighborhood, you may have trouble finding tenants. Do you need equity from your current home? Why are you leaving your old house? Are you purchasing a new home? If you’re planning to upgrade to a larger home, you may need the money from the sale of your old one to place a down payment on your new house. If you have enough equity in your current home, it may make more sense to sell the house instead of renting it. If you’re able to afford the down payment on your new home without selling your current one, usually about 20%, then renting out your old one makes sense. What is the market like in your area? The housing market isn’t consistent across the country, and even different parts of larger metro areas may be more or less robust. If the current market is slow and you think you can sell your home for a higher price in a few years, then it may make sense to rent the house until housing prices rise again. However, if it’s a sellers’ market and you can get the maximum selling price for your home, then selling it may be the better option. Keep in mind that houses that have been rental properties, often have a harder time selling afterward. You may have more wear and tear in the home if multiple tenants have lived there, which may mean spending more to prepare it to show and sell. An experienced real estate agent in your area can help you determine the top vales of your home and whether or not the current market can support that selling price. Agents who have been in the area long enough to become familiar with the housing market are in a good position to help you determine the best time to sell. Will you live in the house again? Consider whether you plan to live in the house or the area again. You may be in a situation that requires temporary relocation, and you plan to return to the original home in a few years. Having a good tenant to live in the house can ensure that your home stays in good condition instead of sitting empty. You’ll also have income from the rental property and building equity in the old home and your new one. Do you have the time and money to be a landlord? For those who are new to investing in rental properties, it may seem easy to rent out their current home and enjoy passive income while paying down their mortgage. However, if this is your first time being a landlord, you may find leasing your property yourself challenging. First, landlords are responsible for making major repairs to the house. Landlords have to fix things like broken pipes, defunct HVAC systems, and structural damage, among other essential repairs. If you don’t have a few thousand dollars on hand to take care of these repairs, you could end up in a bind. There are specific laws in place to protect tenants, including the landlord’s reliability to make major repairs on the house. In addition, there are certain things that you can and can’t do as a landlord. Being aware of Fair Housing Laws is critical to make sure that you don’t inadvertently violate them. Do you need a property manager? A property management company can help vet tenants, collect rents, and arrange for repairs and maintenance on your behalf. A good property management company is also up-to-date on current requirements in your state for landlord obligations. If you’re planning to just lease your house, you may choose to manage the repairs and tenant search yourself, especially if you live nearby. However, if you’re planning to build a portfolio of rental properties, then having one company manage them may be a better option. Property managers can help ensure that your house or houses stay full, including working with local agents, having open houses for prospective tenants, and quickly running background and credit checks for those applying for a lease. As a passive landlord in this situation, you’re able to free yourself of the obligation for emergency repairs and the time searching for people to live in your rental property. Consider rent-to-own Another option when you’re considering whether to sell or rent your house is to engage in a rent-to-own agreement. In these situations, the tenant will place a down payment on the house and make lease payments to you for a specified period. After the lease is up, then the tenant has the option to purchase the home. During the time they’re making lease payments, a portion of those payments will go toward the final price of the house. This option may work for you if the housing market in your area is stagnant, allowing you to cover the mortgage without entering into a long-term obligation to a rental property. These rent-to-own options can be beneficial for tenants, too, as their financial situation may improve enough over time that they’re able to obtain a mortgage. What makes a house a good rental property investment? Does your house have the potential to be a good income property? There are a few things to consider before listing your house for rent. You may have to make some minor repairs and upgrades to your property to attract good tenants who will take care of the house and pay on time. Fresh paint and carpet are usually a must and are required in some areas. The location of your investment property is one of the most important things in determining whether you’ll have steady tenants or be responsible for covering the mortgage out of pocket if the house sits empty. The home’s location can easily make the difference between having a steady tenancy and losing money on the rental property. Final thoughts on renting or selling your home Deciding whether to sell your house or rent depends on carefully analyzing the area and the property’s desirability. Will the area be in high demand for renters, or is it likely that you’ll struggle to find tenants? You’ll also need to take a look at your finances and determine if selling or renting will give you the best return on your investment. Choosing the right real estate agent to advise you in this process can help you answer your question of whether to sell or rent your house.
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