3 Home Updates That Won’t Make You Rich: Why Not All Renovations Are Created Equal

When it comes to home renovations, some updates can make your property the talk of the town—while others, well, not so much. Here are three “upgrades” that might seem like a good idea but are more likely to leave your wallet a little lighter and your home’s value unchanged.

1. Converting Your Garage Into Livable Space: Because Who Needs to Park Anyway?

Let’s start with the beloved garage conversion. Sure, turning your garage into an extra bedroom or family room might seem like a stroke of genius—until you remember that people generally like to park their cars somewhere other than the street. Sacrificing your garage might give you a bit more square footage, but it’s not likely to increase your home’s value. After all, most buyers prefer a place to park their car over a cramped bonus room with all the charm of, well, a former garage.

2. The Magical Mystery Bedroom: Pass-Throughs That Confuse and Amuse

Next up, we have the “creative” bedroom addition. Imagine adding a bedroom to your house, but to get there, you have to walk through another bedroom. Genius, right? Not really. Unless you’re aiming to confuse potential buyers or give your guests an awkward detour, this kind of layout is more likely to devalue your home than add to it. Buyers aren’t looking for a scavenger hunt—they want practical, functional spaces that make sense.

3. The Pool of Dreams: Where Your Money Goes to Swim

Ah, the dream of having a backyard pool. While the idea of lounging by the water on a hot day is appealing, the reality is that installing a pool is more about personal preference than adding value to your home. If you’re spending $60k on that oasis, don’t expect to see that money back when you sell. Pools can be a hit or miss with buyers—some will love it, but others will see it as a maintenance nightmare. So unless you’re in a neighborhood where pools are the norm, think twice before taking the plunge.

Conclusion

When it comes to updating your home, it’s essential to choose projects that will give you the best return on investment. While these three “upgrades” might seem like good ideas at first glance, they’re more likely to leave you scratching your head—and your wallet—when it’s time to sell. Stick with renovations that truly add value, and leave these questionable choices for someone else.