Property Value Plummet: 14 DIY Projects That Can Severely Lower Your Home's Worth
When it comes to home improvement, it's essential to strike a balance between personal taste and universal appeal. Some projects, while they may seem appealing in the moment, can potentially devalue your home. Here's a rundown of common DIY projects to avoid and their alternative solutions.
Projects to Steer Clear Of
- Installing a koi pond or elaborate water feature may signal high maintenance costs, safety liabilities, and limited buyer appeal.
- Swimming pools, especially in colder climates, can be an expensive addition that only appeals to certain buyers.
- Patchy or mismatched roof repairs, over-paving a yard with concrete, unsafe electrical work, removing load-bearing walls, eclectic or overly niche landscaping, above-ground pools in small yards, and artificial turf can reduce curb appeal, raise safety concerns, violate local codes, or limit yard usability.
Smarter DIY Solutions
- For roof repairs, hire professionals to ensure uniform, durable fixes rather than using mismatched shingles or tar patches.
- Instead of concrete-paving the entire yard, consider low-maintenance landscaping with native plants or eco-friendly xeriscaping for a visually appealing and sustainable yard.
- For electrical or structural projects, always employ licensed electricians for wiring and consult structural engineers before altering load-bearing walls.
- For landscaping, choose versatile, broadly appealing designs like a well-maintained grassy lawn instead of highly specialized gardens or features that may alienate buyers.
- If you have an above-ground pool, keep it aesthetically pleasing and proportional to the yard size, or consider removing it before selling to maximize yard usability and appeal.
- Replace artificial turf with natural grass or other sustainable ground covers.
Functionality and Aesthetics
Focus on functional, universally appealing outdoor spaces like decks or patios instead of swimming pools. Highly personalized upgrades like unique wall murals, themed rooms, or quirky permanent fixtures may clash with a buyer's vision.
Instead, stick to enhancements that boost your home's functionality and aesthetic appeal without alienating future buyers or causing avoidable long-term expenses. This includes refinishing existing hardwood floors, adding energy-efficient features, and upgrading storage solutions.
Balancing Personality and Universal Appeal
When necessary, use carpeting sparingly in specific areas like bedrooms for warmth and comfort. Natural wood brings timeless warmth to a home and should be polished or stained instead of painted.
Always weigh the pros and cons of each project, consult professionals when necessary, and focus on quality over speed. By following these guidelines, you can preserve or even boost your home's value while handling DIY projects.
[1] HomeAdvisor. (2021). DIY home improvement projects that can devalue your home. [online] Available at: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/diy-home-improvement-projects-that-devalue-your-home/
[2] Bob Vila. (2021). DIY home improvement projects that can devalue your home. [online] Available at: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/diy-home-improvement-projects-that-devalue-your-home/
[3] Real Simple. (2021). Home improvements that can actually decrease your home's value. [online] Available at: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organization/home-improvement/projects/home-improvements-that-decrease-home-value
- In the realm of home improvement, investing in a home-and-garden project like a koi pond or elaborate water feature might increase maintenance costs, pose safety liabilities, and diminish buyer appeal, as suggested by some sources.
- Instead of taking on DIY projects such as uneven roof repairs, over-paving a yard with concrete, or removing load-bearing walls, which can reduce curb appeal, raise safety concerns, violate local codes, or limit yard usability, it's recommended to seek professional help for these tasks.
- A real-estate seller might consider smart financial decisions regarding DIY home improvement projects, focusing on functional, universally appealing projects like decks or patios over personalized upgrades like themed rooms or quirky permanent fixtures to maximize home value and appeal to potential buyers.