Are you thinking about making some home improvements that will add value to your property? In this video, I’m going to share 4 home improvements that will NOT add value to your home. I’ll explain how you can avoid unnecessary upgrades and choose the home improvements that will give you the most bang for your buck.

Home Improvements That Don’t Add Value

 There are a few home improvements that most people think would increase the value of their house. However, they actually don't. These are the things that most buyers already expect to be working in your home, so improving them isn't going to add any value.

#1: Heating And Air. Most people already expect the heating and air unit to work. So if it does, you are good. Even if you have some super system that filters your air and has all the bells and whistles, I don't think it's going to help improve the value of your house. Just make sure the unit is in good working order and you are set.

#2: The Roof. The second thing we see clients try to do is to replace the roof. While they think this adds value, when someone buys your home, they expect the roof to work. They don't expect to walk in a week after they buy it and have a raging waterfall in the middle of their bedroom.

Don't get me wrong, having a new roof is a nice feature. But as long as the roof is in good working order, a buyer will be happy. Speaking of roofs, a question that I get pretty often is if solar adds value. Solar is a nice money-saving feature. However, an appraiser is not going to give you any extra value for having a slick solar system on your roof.

#3: Mechanical Systems. The third improvement people often make is to the main mechanical systems. Your water heater and other systems should already be working. Any buyer is going to expect that, especially if you want to get top dollar for the sale of your home.

Don’t get me wrong; having a big capacity water heater that holds 100 gallons is a great feature. But I've never heard a buyer say, “I want to buy this house because that water heater is amazing.” Again, have it working and in good shape. Buyers expect it to be at least that.

#4: Windows. The last unnecessary upgrade is windows. A buyer simply expects your house to have windows that work.

Upgrades That Are Worth It

As you can see, most of these common upgrades are mechanical and are part of the structure and bones of your house. They should already be in working order. If you want to make some upgrades to add value, you should do it on aesthetic items that the buyers can see and that they hold value to.

For example, your kitchen, the quality of your flooring, your carpet, and the finishes in your bathrooms are the kinds of upgrades buyers are looking for. These are the improvements you should make in your home if you want to get top dollar on your sale.

If you’d like more information on what to upgrade—and what not to upgrade—feel free to reach out to me and I’d be happy to be a real estate resource for you. Make sure you also subscribe to my channel for more information on all things home buying and selling!