Saving & Spending Home & Auto

Surprising Things That Can Hurt Your Home’s Value

When it’s time to sell your home, you may be shocked at some of the things that could reduce its value.

For sale sign outside house
Updated May 28, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

It’s a good thing to have your own house and the freedom to make your own improvements. 

After all, if you’re going to jump through all those hoops with mortgage lenders and pull together the money for a down payment, you might as well have a home that truly reflects who you are. 

However, not every improvement is a good homeowner money move. Here are some things that, surprisingly, may hurt your home’s value.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Personalized kitchen

didesign/Adobe People looking at plans for home remodeling

Maybe you’ve decided to go all-out on a kitchen remodel with high-end appliances, ultra modern cabinets, and niche tiles to match your personality. If the house isn’t going to be your forever home, these choices may hurt you when it comes time to sell.

Before getting a home improvement loan for any kitchen remodel, consider timeless styles that will increase your resale value.

Bathroom overboard

Antonio/Adobe Fancy pink bathroom with claw foot tub

Like the kitchen, a bathroom remodel is another project that could cause some issues with resale if it gets too personal. Multi-head showers or a jetted tub may be cool to you, but someone else might not agree. 

A bathroom remodel is one of those projects that can get costly quickly, so you may want to keep your money in your savings account and pull back your budget a little to only replace what’s absolutely needed. 

Home theater

JenkoAtaman/Adobe Couple watching movie

Home theaters may appeal to families who like to stay in or the movie buff who wants a big screen and a row of recliners. It may be shocking to some, but this addition could hurt your home’s value.

Potential buyers want to see their vision, and a home theater may not be it. Potentially tearing out customized, often built-in, home theater features could seem overwhelming to someone trying to find their next home.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Dark paint

New Africa/Adobe Person painting a black wall with white paint

You might love that deep red wall in your living room and your midnight blue bedroom. However, potential buyers may see dark and bold colors and view it as a big painting project.

Freshening up the walls with a neutral color is often one of the recommended things to do before selling your home so that you can better earn the appeal of buyers.

Too much carpet

REDPIXEL/Adobe Person vacuuming carpet

While carpet may be desirable for many, too much of it could derail your home’s value. Hardwood floors are not only trendy but practical in some cases. 

They’re easier to clean — from everyday dirt to pet hair — and they don’t hold on to extra dust, which could affect those with allergies.

And yes, it may be more expensive to install hardwood floors compared to carpet, but this is one upgrade that could pay dividends when it comes time to sell.

Wallpaper

graphixchon/Adobe Woman taking wallpaper off wall in house

Like dark paint, buyers may view wallpaper as undesirable. It may also be a hassle to remove, which they don’t want to add to their to-do list to get a house move-in ready. 

Instead, consider removing that paper from the wall and repainting it with neutral tones so that the walls are a blank canvas for potential new residents.

Converted garage

rh2010/Adobe Woman storing boxes in garage

Homeowners may see their garage as a chance to expand their home. Some may convert it into a man cave, extra office space, or a playroom for the kids. 

However, many buyers may want a space to park their cars or store their bikes. Too many renovations could hurt your sale.

Pool

A. Solano/Adboe empty swimming pool with rusty stairs and tile floor

Wouldn’t it be lovely to sit out by your pool on a warm, summer night with a drink in your hand? That might sound like a wonderful time for you, but buyers might see it as a waste of backyard space.

In addition to the cleaning and maintenance of a pool, it could also be an expensive addition to homeowners insurance or liability insurance, especially for families with small children. 

It’s a shocker for some, but a pool can sometimes turn a buyer off and decrease your home’s value.

Big bedrooms

denisismagilov/Adobe Large bedroom with big windows

Some people like a bedroom with deluxe space for a sitting room and office. Others may like the idea of turning two smaller bedrooms into one large room by knocking down the wall between them, but buyers might not see it that way. 

Reducing the number of bedrooms a future homeowner can use can be risky to the value of your home.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Too much decor

bnenin/Adobe Couple planning home renovation

Have you dedicated several rooms of your home to your favorite sports team? Or maybe you’re a collector of art and have walls filled from floor to ceiling. Your style might impede a potential buyer’s ability to see themselves in your home. 

The longer your home sits on the market, the greater the chance it has of reducing in value. De-personalizing your space is a sound idea to attract the most potential buyers.

Bottom line

maxwellmonty/Adobe Woman painting cabinet

Your home is also an investment, so consider how to make money when you’re ready to sell and pass it on to a new owner. 

It’s a good idea to set aside some money when you’re ready to put your home on the market to ensure that it also appeals to potential buyers. 

It may cost a little bit to get all the walls painted in universally appealing colors, but you could make more when you ultimately sell your home.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details