Which Upgrades Will Add the Most Value to My Home?

Research shows that you’ll get the most bang for your buck with the following home improvements:

• Kitchen renovations
• Bathroom remodeling
• Home-office additions
• New upscale siding
• Wooden deck additions
• Finishing a basement

Experts say these upgrades aren’t worth the hassle:

Excessive improvements: You should never make extreme upgrades that greatly exceed competing properties in your neighborhood. While you want your house to be appealing and stand out from other houses on the market, don’t overdo it. You shouldn’t outshine your neighbors so much that your home seems out of place. Find out how other homes in your neighborhood are designed, and make improvements based on your specific marketplace.

Swimming pools While many homeowners believe a swimming pool will add value to their home, this is simply not the case. First of all, it usually costs a small fortune to install an in-ground swimming pool. Secondly, you’re probably not going to recoup your investment because many homebuyers view an in-ground swimming pool as a high-maintenance hassle. However, if you live in a place where it’s warm almost year-round, such as Florida or California, an in-ground swimming pool may be viewed as a plus. But if you live anywhere else, you’re better off without it.

Converting a garage Before you consider converting your garage into an office or extra bedroom, take a look around. If every other home in your neighborhood has a two-car garage, you probably shouldn’t get rid of yours. Many homebuyers would rather have a sheltered place to park their car than an extra bedroom.

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