REAL SIMPLE - 10 Home Upgrades That Are a Waste of Money

These upgrades could actually be downgrades.

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Never Have Stinky Workout Clothes Again

Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your current one, there are a lot of decisions to be made. No matter what your budget is, it's crucial to make sure you're making a smart investment. You want to put your money toward features that will add value to your home. Or at the very least, won't turn off potential buyers in the future, should you decide to sell.  

Here are 10 home upgrades that are actually a waste of money, according to real estate agents.

These Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations Will Add the Most Value to Your Home

Swimming Pools

While there’s no denying how enjoyable a swimming pool can be, they aren’t really worth the investment, explains Amr Samaha from Samaha Studio. “Pools can seem like a dream come true, but they come with a lot of upkeep, high maintenance costs, and rising water and energy bills. They might even put off potential buyers who aren’t keen on the extra responsibility.” Plus, you'll likely have to pay more for home insurance.

Still, if you have a family and think you’ll stay in your home for the foreseeable future, it may be worth spending the money, especially if you live in a warm climate.

Extensive Landscaping With Exotic Plants

Curb appeal is important and plants can truly boost the beauty and enjoyment of your yard. But going over the top isn’t necessary and can potentially turn off future buyers. “Beautiful landscaping definitely boosts curb appeal, but opting for elaborate gardens with exotic plants can be a big drain on your wallet and the environment. These gardens need a lot of care, which not everyone is ready to handle,” Samaha says.

Garage Conversions

Do you live in a small home? Then you might be thinking about converting your garage into an office or guest room. However, according to Samaha, you may want to reconsider. “Converting a garage into a living space might seem like a good idea, but it can reduce overall functionality, especially in urban areas where parking is scarce.”

Finding a way to make a room more versatile is a less expensive and better longterm plan. Consider getting a pull-out sofa or installing a Murphy bed in a home office instead. Best of all, these ideas don't require permits, construction, or a huge budget.

Motorized Blinds

Amanda Leigh at House of Rolison tells me that motorized blinds, while cool, don’t warrant the extra cost. “They're wildly expensive and don't give any added design ambiance compared to regular blinds and shades.”

Investing in better quality materials or Roman shades is a smarter move than smart blinds.

A Sink in the Island

While it might feel convenient to have a sink in your center island, unless the plumbing is already there, it may end up having the opposite effect. “It's a big mistake to move the kitchen sink to the island," Leigh says. She recommend keeping the island as "a large space for gathering and food prep and free from the clutter of dishes and drying racks."

Smart Home Technology Systems

While smart appliances can be convenient and make your home feel elevated, it's important to understand that this investment will likely become obsolete quickly and need to be upgraded or replaces. Agent Steven Gottlieb of Coldwell Banker Warburg tells me, “If you are planning to invest in home technology, it might be best to approach it from the perspective that you are adding these bells and whistles for yourself and your enjoyment, but that a future buyer may not be willing to pay more for your home because you added now-dated tech however many years ago.”

Soaking Tubs

Soaking tubs have been a major trend in recent years, especially in primary bathroom suites. However, Gottlieb advises asking yourself if you’ll really use it. “If you have the space and the budget, and if you really love taking a bath, go for it. But most people never use their beautiful-looking soaking tub. It’s not that practical—it’s not easy to bathe kids in, and it takes up a ton of space in the bathroom.”

Outdoor Pizza Ovens

Everyone loves a pizza party! Or do they? Gottlieb says while having an outdoor pizza oven is cool, you probably won’t end up using it all that much. “It’s a lot of fun if you’re actually hosting a pizza-making party, but it’s expensive to install and usually doesn’t get enough use to warrant the cost.  And it’s yet another thing to clean.”

Built-In Fish Tanks

Broker Tate Kelly of Coldwell Banker Warburg tells me while he doesn’t see built-in fish tanks too often, they’re a big waste of money and can even turn off potential buyers, “I’ve seen this once or twice in my career, and I was floored by the cost of installation and upkeep. The owners built them because they loved it and thought it was extremely luxurious, but when it came time to sell their properties, there were more questions about the possibility of having the fish tank removed prior to closing than anyone actually wanting to keep it and deal with the time and cost it takes to manage the fish and the tank itself,” he explains. “They may look fun and interesting, but as an everyday decor element that requires unnecessary maintenance and takes up space, it is a poor decision to install if you are expecting to see any return on investment.”

High-Tech Toilets

Everyone uses the toilet, but investing in a super-upgraded one is basically flushing your money away, according to agent Jeremy Kamm of Coldwell Banker Warburg. "As wonderful and luxurious as they are, similar perks to the ultra-high-end tech toilets can be achieved by adding an accessory toilet seat to a standard toilet for a couple of hundred dollars,” he explains. “Homeowners will boast about the cost of these top-of-the-line bidet toilets that operate automatically with loads of functions, but in truth, one can spend far less for similar functions. $5,000 to $10,000 is unnecessary.”

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bidet. Just invest in an inexpensive attachment for your toilet instead.

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