8 Popular DIY Projects That Can Decrease Your Home’s Value, a Real Estate Agent Says

Tackling DIY home improvement projects can make your home look better, be more functional, and can even increase the value of the home, making it a better investment for when you eventually sell.

However, there are some DIY projects that actually lead to lower buyer interest and decreased home value.

We asked a real estate pro about the popular DIY projects that could decrease your home’s value.

Garage Conversions

Garages offer extra parking space and a secure area to store lawn equipment and tools, which is why when you convert a garage to an extra bedroom, a bar, or a recreation room, it can actually lower the value of the home, since most prospective buyers are more interested in properties with functional garage spaces.

“If you’re thinking about major renovations, take the time to consult with a real estate professional or contractor,” says Luke Whittle, Senior Real Estate Advisor at Elegran | Forbes Global. “They can offer advice on which projects are most likely to yield a return on your investment, ensuring that your DIY efforts don’t backfire.”

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Removing Closets

Getting rid of excess closet space can help increase the living area in the bedrooms and other common areas of the home, but just because you aren’t using the closet space doesn’t mean a potential buyer would feel the same.

Removing closet space in bedrooms and common areas of the home reduces the amount of places where new homeowners would naturally store linens, outerwear, or even tools.

Combining Rooms

One of the main determining factors of a home’s value is the number of rooms, so while combining rooms may seems like a good way to create a more open concept space, this can actually result in a lower appraised value and less interest in the property.

It’s better to renovate the existing rooms, even if they are a bit cramped, then stage them in such a way that makes the rooms attractive to potential buyers, like setting up a neat, organized home office or a kids’ playroom.

In-Ground Pool Installation

Any type of addition to the home that requires extensive ongoing maintenance and maintenance costs, like an in-ground pool, will typically decrease the value of the home. The average home buyer isn’t looking to take on extra costs while managing an unfamiliar system, especially if the home is located in a colder area of the country and the pool will be unusable for a significant part of the year.

“Simple cosmetic upgrades like fresh paint in neutral colors, new hardware for cabinets, or updated light fixtures can give a space a modern feel without a huge investment,” Whittle says.

Extensive Carpeting and Wallpaper

At one point, carpeted floors and wallpapered walls were commonplace in homes across the country, but that trend has long since been replaced by hardwood floors and painted walls. While you can have some carpeting and wallpaper, it isn’t a good idea to fill the home from top to bottom with this outdated decor.

“Several DIY projects can unintentionally decrease the value of a home, particularly when they are poorly executed or not thought through,” Whittle says.

Complex Landscaping

Due to the extra work involved, complex landscaping will inevitably lead to a decrease in home value since the average homeowner will not want to put out a lot of effort or pay a professional to maintain their lawn and garden.

Instead, you could plant a tree or put in attractive flowers that are relatively easy to care for, allowing you to improve the appearance of the home, without creating high maintenance expectations.

Dedicated Hobby Spaces

While installing a home theater, gym, sewing room, recording studio, or wine storage room can be an attractive choice for a small niche of homebuyers, the average individual will see these areas as wasted space they will need to convert back into common rooms, which can decrease interest in the property and lower the property value.

“Certain designs that are too personalized or overly trendy might not appeal to a broad range of potential buyers, making the property harder to sell,” Whittle says.

Any Poorly Executed DIY Project

Generally, even the most well-intentioned home improvement projects will decrease the value of the home if they are poorly executed or clearly do not match the existing aesthetic of the home.

“Some of the most common offenders include botched bathroom or kitchen remodels, faulty electrical or plumbing work, un-permitted additions, and over-personalized or trendy design choices,” Whittle says.