5 Home Improvements That May Not Pay Off When You Sell


Many home improvements add value, but others can actually hurt it. So think hard before you put time and money into these projects: 


1. A chef-quality kitchen
An upscale kitchen renovation recoups just 54% of its cost in added value.
2. DIY painting
Streaky, chipped or low-quality paint can knock $1,700 off a home’s sale price.
3. An expanded master[a] suite
If your home has four or five bedrooms, losing one might pay off. But losing a bedroom in a smaller house could lower your selling price. 
4. Wall-to-wall carpeting
Carpet as the primary flooring in a house drops the value by $3,900 – and carpeting in the master bedroom causes a $3,800 plunge.
5. A swimming pool
Any pool can be seen as a drawback by buyers who don’t want to deal with maintenance or insurance. 
SOURCES: The News & Advance, Lynchburg, VA; Opendoor; Remodeling magazine








[a]Primary?