Apartment therapy presents a list of 4 projects that don’t improve the resale value of your home.

• Adding a pool
• Converting your garage
• Botched DIY projects
• Over-improving

Let’s talk about a pool. They take up a lot of space, they require maintenance, and their seasonal use is limited. Those who want one will be thrilled to see it but most buyers will not see one at a house they are considering it as value added – but those are few. Now if we were having this conversation in Florida I’d likely have a different take.

Garage conversion – I can’t say I’ve seen many of these here. Mostly I see garages that have are being used as added storage. A situation that when the current owner moves out can be changed by the buyer.

Botched DIY projects. If I live to be 80 I’ll always remember academic clients who thought they were improving their home by undertaking all sorts of renovations. It was bad! And little did we know they would be turning to us not that long after to resell the house. Had we known we would have provided guidance along the way. This had bad finished, bad colours, bad materials, and bad workmanship.

Over-improving – When I do have clients who consult me with renovation questions before answering I look at the neighbours. Be they in a single family house or a condo: what are the neighbours doing. In a building with a high standing go ahead and throw a quary of marble at the bathroom but don’t do that in a more modest building. What about floor coverings. In a conco are most units hardwood, engineered hardwood, or laminate? All these questions and more. Should you wonder what will and will not be a good improvement do not hesitate the contact the Molly & Claude Team.

A built in desk! This seems like a good idea! This sort of desk could also be built in an extra closet (ah the luxury)?

Have you ever changed the functionality of a closet? What to?

Are you a DIY type of person or do you have things professional done?

Do it yourself projects can be fun! It’s tempting to step away from your books and your desk and build something. Ideally test your skills on something small or mobile. If your DIY yourself project is not at the scale of this desk and and part of the house it must be done to professional standards. No one wants to see DIY projects that are amateurishly done. While you’re seeing your best effort, potential buyers will see a substandard result. These renovations which you think increase the value of your home could actually devalue your home and make it harder to sell.