Home Upgrades that can Devalue!

How on earth can upgrades to your home in fact decrease its value you might ask, but yes there are ways in which investing can have an adverse effect on what your home is worth. Though most times when we make home improvements they are for our own pleasure, there are those who will be doing so in order to sell (and maybe make a profit too) – This is when it is important to consider what upgrades could in fact devalue.

Colours / Patterns: From a fresh lick of paint to a full re-plaster, rub down, undercoats and topcoats. Most people will be very glad to know that the property they are interested in buying comes fully redecorated (no one likes this job and especially the excess dust it can cause), though the choice of final pattern (wallpaper) and colours can have a big effect on the final impression that others will form. Subtle colours and well thought through patterns can have a big positive whereas descriptive words such as loud, bold and powerful could mean that a redecoration by the new owners will be due and compensation for this will be taken in to consideration when that offer is made. This example also extends to carpets.

Swimming pools: Doesn’t a swimming pool, especially on those warm and clear blue sunny days, look magnificent and ever so tempting? Usually swimming pools are a luxurious addition, especially in the UK, whereas holiday destination countries such as France and Spain they will be far more common and expected. With swimming pools (not the blow up kind that is) comes high costs both in installation and maintenance, an outdoor pool will cost between £60,000 – £110,000 to construct. Property with swimming pools (indoor or outdoor) will have a smaller market audience and for those not in favour of swimming pools though very much in love with your property then it could be a put off or a reason for a lower offer (to accommodate a de-install). Fixed hot tubs can also be put in to this category.

Converting / Removing of garage / outbuildings: Depending very much on your location and size of property, it is suggested that removing / converting in to garage spaces can be a negative in regards to the value of your property.  If an old and somewhat ugly garage exists such as a concrete slab with asbestos roof or a rotten lean-to car port is taken away then this could be a way in which to increase the value of your property and especially if the new area is used in a positive way. If a perfectly good garage is removed totally and especially in an area where car space is limited then it could be a turn off or a reason for a lesser offer (many people are keen on having a garage either for car storage or workshop etc). Converting in to garage spaces, depending on the quality of the works carried out, could also have a negative effect as though it may add an addition room / living area and this can be added to the asking price, some buyers will look at it with an opposite viewpoint and see a cost problem to convert it back to a garage space. You certainly can not please everyone!

Landscaping: Outside spaces are very important to the overall value of your property and how they are presented can effect the value. No-one wants to see an untidy and unkept garden (unless someone is looking for a blank canvas) though on the flip side an overly complicated garden area requiring costly maintenance and upkeep could be a problem when it comes to selling. I agree that many of us love our gardens and we can spend many pleasurable hours pottering around from flower beds to allotments, though if we stray outside of these comfort zones by adding the likes of ponds, water features, decking, complicated plant beds with high maintenance plants then it could be a negative over simple lawn or patio areas. So, does a designer garden or any kind of landscaping add value to your property? You may be surprised to know that the answer is no!

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Popping the Asking Price Bubble

Where in the Uk Can Buyers Snap Up Property Bargains and Where Properties Go for a Premium Above Asking Price   New research from fast selling property company, Upstix has uncovered the UK’s most surprising postcodes for snapping up a property at bargain prices this year, highlighting a widening gap between sellers’ expectations and the…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Highest demand to lease office space since pre-pandemic

The latest insights from the UK’s number one commercial property website Rightmove, reveals that the number of unique enquiries to lease office space is at its highest point since pre-pandemic, as businesses look for spaces that meet modern requirements. Demand to lease office space is 19% higher than the same period a year ago and…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Planning consultations for major infrastructure to be streamlined

Robert Bruce, a planning and infrastructure partner at law firm Freeths LLP, said he: “Welcomed the change as a significant step to speeding up the DCO process and the focus on the quality and effectiveness of the consultation, rather than box ticking and a risk averse approach to pre-application consultation due to the current legal…
Read More
Breaking News

‘The property ladder pulls further away’ warns Open Property Group

For many first-time buyers across England, the dream of homeownership continues to slip further out of reach. Despite rising wages, soaring house prices are making it harder than ever to get on the property ladder. A leading UK professional house buying company ‘Open Property Group’ based in Buckinghamshire UK, has raised concerns over the ongoing…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

How Long It Takes to Buy a House in the UK: 5 Common Delays That Can Slow Down Your Home Purchase

Wondering how long it takes to buy a house in the UK? The average timeline ranges from 8 to 22 weeks, but even that can stretch significantly due to unexpected delays, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or caught in a chain. That’s why working with experienced professionals like Belvoir — one of the UK’s…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove to host Renters’ Rights Bill webinar with Guild of Lettings

Rightmove is hosting a live and interactive webinar session with the Guild of Lettings to help agents get Renters’ Rights Ready. The webinar will take place from 10:00am – 11:00am on Wednesday 23rd April. Susie Crolla, Managing Director for the Guild of Lettings, will be joining Rightmove to help agents with questions they may have about…
Read More