Homeowners might ask REALTORS® about improvements they can make to their home that will increase the resale value. Not every improvement will allow homeowners to bump up their asking price by increasing the value of the home; some updates or renovations are necessary, while other improvements might just be for the enjoyment of the homeowner.

What improvements should homeowners make to make their home more appealing and more valuable? These are 10 home improvements that add value:

1. A bathroom and/or bedroom addition
2. A finished basement (lower level)
3. Upgraded appliances
4. New windows
5. Updated kitchen
6. Crown molding
7. Updated doors
8. New siding
9. New roof
10. Hardwood flooring

A Bathroom and/or Bedroom Addition

One of the most popular home layouts is the classic three-bedroom two-bath. Adding a second bathroom to a one-bath home can increase the value, and adding another bedroom also can nudge up the value.

Buyers who are searching for a new home typically focus on the bedroom and bathroom space. By increasing the amount of bedrooms, the homeowner can attract more buyers.

Adding another bedroom or bathroom can help add value to a home and, hopefully, allow the seller to raise their asking price.

A Finished Basement

The basement space can’t always count towards square footage. However, a finished lower level or basement can be more appealing to buyers.

A finished lower level expands the living space for the home (even if it can’t be included in the total square footage). Many buyers like the option of a finished lower level as a space for a child’s playroom, a home office, or even just another rec or workout space.

If the budget allows, finishing the lower level could help add value to the home.

Upgraded Appliances

New and upgraded appliances can be attractive features for buyers. A new stove, oven, refrigerator or washer/dryer means that the appliance is less likely to break. Newer or upgraded appliances also could be more energy-efficient and save the buyer money on utility costs.

New Windows

New windows are an expensive investment, and replacing windows could be a positive feature when advertising a new home. When the windows are already upgraded, new buyers don’t have to worry about replacing windows for more than a decade.

Updated Kitchen

An updated kitchen doesn’t just add value, but it adds appeal to the home. When updating a kitchen, though, homeowners should be sure that the style matches the rest of the home. For example, if the rest of the home hasn’t been updated since the ‘80s, a modern kitchen might look out of place. When upgrading the kitchen, it also might be necessary to revamp other adjoining areas even if this means just repainting or removing old and outdated wallpaper or décor.

Crown Molding

Crown molding adds a touch of finesse and style to the walls of the room. Crown molding is considered to be a high-end update and creates the finishing touch.

Updated Doors

New doors can add insulation and also create an elevated curb appeal. The Family Handyman recommends steel or fiberglass front doors.

New Siding

New siding is another addition that can increase the value of the home. Again, buyers will consider this as one last project they might have to tackle in the near future. Plus, new siding adds to the beauty and curb appeal of a home.

New Roof

A new roof can be a very expensive addition, depending on the size of the home. This is one project that a buyer won’t want to tackle early into their home ownership; a new roof is a selling point and it adds value for potential buyers. However, the Family Handyman notes that even just repairing the roof can add value.

Hardwood Flooring

Carpeting and tile floor is nice, but hardwood is considered an upgraded feature to a home. Many buyers love the look and versatility of hardwood flooring. Realtor.com notes that hardwood offers a 70 to 80 percent return on investment.

What Features, Upgrades and Renovations Don’t Add Value?

Homeowners might ask REALTORS about the renovations or improvements that they shouldn’t undertake. While several renovations can increase a home’s value, others are simply for the enjoyment of the homeowner or considered basic upkeep. Here are 10 renovations, updates and improvements that don’t add value to a home:

1. A pool
2. Invisible Improvements (like a new HVAC)
3. Amazing landscaping
4. Lots of carpeting
5. A garage conversion
6. Wallpaper
7. Odd additions that don’t fit
8. Luxury light fixtures
9. Removing a bedroom
10. DIY projects

A Pool

Pools are for the owner’s enjoyment and don’t add value. In fact, they actually could repel some buyers. If a family has small children, they might not consider buying a home because of the pool. Others don’t want to deal with the upkeep.

Invisible Improvements (like a new HVAC)

CBS News explains that invisible improvements won’t add value to the home. These are the improvements that buyers cannot see—like a new HVAC or new paint. Some upgrades or renovations also might just be considered part of home ownership.

Amazing Landscaping

Not all buyers want a home with finicky landscaping. While the current homeowner might have invested a significant amount of money landscaping their home, not all buyers find value in those trees, shrubs or flower gardens. Again, some might not want to deal with the cost of upkeep. Extensive landscaping is another renovation or upgrade for the homeowner’s enjoyment.

Lots of Carpeting

Gone are the days when homeowners wanted carpeting in every room of the home. Now tile in the bathroom and hardwood in the kitchen and rec areas might be preferred. Carpets might be seen as more of a nuisance to keep clean—especially for families with small children or dogs.

A Garage Conversion

Transforming the garage into an art studio, gym or man cave could sound like a good idea. Unfortunately, not all buyers would agree or would be willing to pay for that conversion. When a homeowner converts the garage, they are removing a feature of the home that some might consider a necessity. Many like having a garage for their cars, tools, etc.

Wallpaper

There was a time in the past when wallpaper was all the rage. Patterns were bold paisley prints or flora motifs. Some wallpaper even included popular children’s characters. However, buyers might see the look as outdated and could even perceive that wallpaper as a change they will need to make.

Odd Additions that Don’t Fit

Odd additions that don’t fit could make the home look like a white elephant on the block. For example, adding two more bedrooms to a three-bedroom home in an area where three-bedrooms is the norm might not allow the homeowner to recoup their renovation costs. In addition, some renovations are done poorly and don’t blend organically into the original design of the home.

Upgrading the kitchen or the bathroom while the rest of the home is stuck in the ‘60s also fits into the ‘odd additions that don’t fit’ category.

Luxury Light Fixtures

That beautiful chandelier might look lovely in the dining room, but a buyer probably isn’t going to be willing to pay extra for it. Luxury and opulent light might be considered an update that’s focused more on the style preferences of the current homeowner. In fact, some buyers might find that chandelier to be an eyesore.

Removing a Bedroom

Homeowners might think that they can combine bedrooms to make one big bedroom or transform a bedroom into an office space. Renovating the home to remove a bedroom won’t add value. If the home was a desirable three-bedroom layout and became a two-bedroom home, that bedroom loss could take the home off the list of buyers who need three bedrooms.

DIY Projects

Many experts recommend that homeowners stay away from DIY improvements. Unfortunately, these renovations could be done incorrectly. In order to sell the home, the renovations might need to be renovated. Other DIY projects could end up looking too DIY; while that shiplap wall is trendy on home shows, not all homeowners can pull off that look.

While some projects will increase the value of the home, other renovations, updates and projects will not add value. REALTORS can advise potential sellers about what features can boost their home’s sale price and what projects to avoid.