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SALT LAKE CITY -- Intricate and beautiful landscaping, a media room and a chef's kitchen may make your home fun to stay in, but will these upgrades increase the home's value? In some cases, no, according to Real Estate Appraisal Services owner Sean Railton. For instance, that landscaping may demand too much upkeep to be attractive to a potential home buyer.
"When it's something that has to be maintained all the time and kept up, if you don't keep up with it, it's just going to die. So, while it might get your house to sell quicker, it might not actually get it to sell for more money," he said.
A few years ago, when the housing market was at its apex, some realtors said homes had to have a media room. People shopping for a home almost expected to see one. But Railton says the home theater room has lost its luster, especially if it's in the basement.
"To go down there and fire up that part of the house to go see a movie (isn't worth it). We've got a 50 inch screen TV in the family room. Why don't we just use that?" Railton pointed out.
He says some residents in Park City install specialized dog baths, which may be a risky addition. It's unique, and it does make the home stand out from others, but it may be too quirky for some buyers.
"People think it's really unique and the greatest thing, and then they might not ever use it."
He also says doing electrical and structural repairs yourself may save you money up front, but it may bring the value of your home down later.
"The last thing you want to do is have a house that looks like the homeowner did a bunch of work, unless the homeowner is really good," Railton said.
But it's important to know that these are soft rules. The upgrades that people look for in homes in one city along the Wasatch Front won't always be what customers are looking for in another town. For example, granite countertops are common inside more expensive homes in Park City. But for less expensive homes in other parts of the state, the granite countertops can be considered an over-improvement.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
