Even though you might not be thinking of selling your home anytime soon, chances are eventually you will. When that time comes, you’ll want your home to stand out from the competition – in a positive way. So before you make any major changes to suit your short-term needs or desires, don’t forget to consider the long term consequences. Here are 7 design “enhancements” you might want to rethink.
The Not So Bright Idea – You might love the look of a neon colored house, but potential buyers (and perhaps your neighbors) probably won’t. Whether painting or adding vinyl siding, opt for earth tones that blend in with the neighborhood and allow the landscaping to provide the pops of color and vibrancy.
Painted Brick – You might see it as a simple paint job, but to buyers it’s a design choice that is nearly impossible to undo. If you have exposed brick in a room or surrounding a fireplace, clean it up instead of painting it for a timeless look.
Low Maintenance Lawn – A stone patio can be a welcome addition to your backyard, but a concrete slab that takes over most of the green space will typically turn buyers off.
Wall-to-Wall Mistake – If you have hardwood floors in your home, consider refinishing them instead of installing wall-to-wall carpeting. Don’t like the feeling of a bare floor under your feet? Add plush area rugs and runners for the best of both worlds and a higher return come sell time.
Garage Conversion – Even though some homeowners never park their car in the garage, they still like having a garage to store lawn equipment, bikes, and other odds and ends. If you’re thinking of converting your garage into extra living space, see if you can find that space elsewhere. The long term consequence will probably outweigh the short term gain.
Pool Party – Unless you can guarantee limitless days of sun, skip the in-ground pool. While it may initially lure some buyers, many are turned off by both perceived and realistic views of maintenance and liability.
Hot Tub Headache – You might look forward to relaxing in your very own hot tub after a long, stressful day, but potential buyers might see it as a turn off, a safety concern, and a waste of valuable yard space.
Now, how about a home improvement project that always adds value – either updating an existing bathroom or adding a new one. At Connor Plumbing, we can do much more than handle all plumbing aspects of the job. We can come to your home and advise you on how to make the most of the available space, bathroom safety features like grab bars and hand-held shower heads that you might want to factor into your plans, and much more. And remember: with Connor, you always get a guaranteed upfront price so there are no unpleasant surprises later on.
