Meet Bellevue

The Five Worst Home Improvement Ideas in Bellevue

Posted on 19 May 2010

When it comes to adding value to your home, what should you do and not do?  Proven winners are updated bathrooms and quality kitchens, followed by adding a bathroom or an additional bedroom (that is if the roof line does not need to be extended by doing so).  Keep in mind that some improvements actually add “Value” and some simply add “Marketability”.

 Here is a short list of things NOT to do:

 1. Above Your Market Renovations:

Bigger is not necessarily better, and more expensive might be too much.  Consider contacting your Real Estate Marketing Professional, and analyzing your existing market to see what amenities are the standard in your area, then upgrade your home to meet it.  Don’t overdo or you may not recoup your investment.

2. Home Theaters:

A home theater is a great amenity to have, but I have seen many examples of clients spending a sizable investment in this area, only to recoup 10-40% upon resale.  Consider installing a moderate home theater, or a very modest home theater system that stays with the house upon sale.  Buyers love that!

3`. Home Office Renovations

Although, a home office is often an amenity appreciated by those shopping for a home, it should be built with frugality in mind. Overhauling an office doesn’t pay off when it’s time to sell your home. Don’t steal usable space from another living area to create a home office.  Instead, make sure the space can easily be converted back into other types of spaces if needed.  If you go over the top in this area, you will ususally receive 50% of less of your original investment.

4. Custom Features and Ad Ons:

For value, keep in mind the things that are selling.  Installing an expensive water feature, or upscale back yard club house may work well for you, but not the majority of the general public.  Just yesterday I saw a quaint Seattle “Phinney Ridge” bungalow, that was very impressive, but the Sellers had converted the single garage to a guest suite.  Nice, but…uh-nah.  My clients would have much rather had a “regular” garage at a more modest price.

5. Upscale Roofing:

If the roof is in overall good condition but leaking, just have it repaired.  If it is worn out replace it with a composition roof within your budget.  This is the best bang for the roofing buck.  No clay tile or “lifetime” (which really isn’t…ahum) roofing products.

Honorable mention:

Swimming pools are not an asset in Seattle, and do not add “ANY” value to the home, no matter how much the expense.  A small percentage consider it a perk, but the majority of others may perceive it as a pain in the boot, with all the maintenance it will require.  One attractive option for the Pacific Northwest is the installation of a small “Spool” (Spa/Pool).  They are less expensive, smaller in size, and act as a pool for those few short summer months, and a spa for the remaining seasons of the year.