The kitchen is often the first room people choose to renovate because it is the center of food preparation and the social center for entertaining guests. When you’re renovating, it’s easy to think short and focus on your current needs rather than how your upgrade will affect your home’s value.
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According to Thomas Vibe, co-founder and managing partner of Stone Wizards, as a rule of thumb, kitchen renovations should not exceed 25% of the home value (for a median home value of $227,700, this would be no more than $56,925 ) because you may never get that much value. Here are 10 kitchen renovations that will hurt your home’s value.
Over-customize your kitchen
When it comes to upgrades or renovations, neutrality is the way to go, says Tomas Satas, founder and CEO of Windy City HomeBuyer.
“Just because you spend countless dollars on decorating ideas you’ve dreamed of growing up doesn’t mean other people will have the same taste, and most people won’t care what you spend. Your dream living room is in other It might look like a disembodied job to the human eye,” Sattas said.
“So don’t get yourself into debt or excess, because the whole point of upgrading your home should be to get your money back when you sell and end up with more.”
Use low-quality materials
Another big mistake Sattas saw was not using quality materials. “If you sell your house in a few years, the last thing you want is to have to replace all the kitchen cabinets because they are falling apart. Or another problem I see is people using marble in the kitchen. Marble creates problem because it can easily chip, stain and corrode.”
too much wallpaper
Lily Wili, CEO of Ever Wallpaper, said the pattern and texture of the wallpaper can be daunting to potential homeowners. “Wallpaper has a unique flavor and is notoriously difficult to remove. For a universally appealing look, use fresh paint and neutral colors.”
high-end appliances
Kim Abrams, chief executive of Abrams Roofing, said installing expensive, near-luxury appliances and electronics might seem like a good idea, but it can actually hurt your home’s value. “These appliances are much more expensive to maintain and repair, which will discourage buyers from your home.”
Also, according to real estate consultant Will Rogers, “Smart appliances are great. But remember, if you sell in three to five years, the technology you’re putting in today will be outdated. High-tech kitchens are for convenience. You, but if you’re going to sell soon, you can only add value.”
DIY Repair
Abrams also noted that doing repairs and renovations yourself “is a big no-no.” Do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations can seriously damage a home’s value because it’s not professional. Buyers will never appreciate a kitchen remodel that isn’t done by an experienced contractor.”
DIY plumbing
When it comes to kitchen renovations, one thing you should always leave to the professionals is plumbing. According to Jake Romano, manager of John the Plumber, “While some handymen are talented in plumbing, they are extremely error-prone. You might mistakenly put a Y-joint together instead of a T-joint, you might mistake Adjust the slope of the drain and you could make a bad connection, the list goes on and on. If someone notices a mistake they will question everything. My advice is to hire a licensed plumber to do the plumbing, keep receipts and warranties, and provide these documents to potential buyers.”
outdated trend
When you’re selling your home, the last thing you want is that it looks dated, says real estate agent Bill Gassett, founder of Maximum Real Estate Exposure.
“The worst thing that can happen is to make horrible choices that just don’t fit the style anymore. I immediately think of oak cabinets and tile countertops. Very few people want those things. Oak was in the 80’s and 90’s It’s in vogue — it’s pretty much out of fashion today. Most home buyers either want white as their first choice, and cherry or birch are also desirable.”
sacrificing storage space
A common kitchen renovation failure is “…sellers remove two kitchen walls to have a more open-concept feel,” says Ryan Weller, a real estate agent with the Beth and Ryan Real Estate team. However, they don’t realize that The thing is, those walls they remove are for functional storage and cabinets. Savvy buyers – or those who like to cook – would walk away from a house like this.”
Retrofit granite countertops
While granite is a popular choice for countertops, it can be quite expensive, says Mark Warrens, head of real estate and director of Wharton-Weston Independent Properties Group. And, since most buyers are looking for a home to move in, they may not be interested in a property that needs new countertops. This can hurt the value of your home as it will be one thing potential buyers won’t have to worry about.
exaggerated lighting
Lighting can make all the difference in a home, says real estate investor and realtor Shaun Martin of We Buy Homes in Denver. “You don’t even know when good lighting is doing its job. But get it wrong and the value of your home can plummet!”. Too many lights can feel washed out and lifeless. Too little and your kitchen can feel like a dive bar.
He recommends installing lights with dimmer switches instead.