Home Renovations That Don’t Add Value (and What to Do Instead)

Dusty Rhodes • June 6, 2022

If you have been thinking about selling your home, you may be wondering which home improvements you should tackle to increase your home’s value before it goes on the market. While there are many home renovations that can add appeal to your home, it’s important to know which projects will increase your property value and which will not.


From upgrading your bathroom to replacing your roof, this article will help you determine which home improvement projects are worth your investment. Whether you are preparing to sell your home in Portland, OR or Toronto, ON, here are 10 home renovations that don’t add value and what you should do instead. 

1) A bedroom to closet renovation


The number of bedrooms your home has is one of the main factors that determines your home’s value. It’s better to have a bedroom with a smaller closet than to create a large walk-in closet and lose a neighboring bedroom in the process.


Instead: Find storage solutions for small closets


You can increase the functionality of a closet without increasing the square footage. Try installing closet organizers or creating storage solutions like built-ins to make small closets more practical.


2) High-end fixtures


Although they may upgrade the look of a home, replacing your current fixtures with expensive, high-end alternatives is a home improvement that doesn’t add value. Installing custom faucets, ceiling fans, or lighting fixtures may sound like an easy way to elevate a room in your home, but these improvements won’t increase your home’s value enough to cover the cost it takes to purchase and install them. Plus, potential buyers won’t pay more for a home just for high-end fixtures. 


Instead: Install fixtures that are affordable and high quality


If you want to upgrade the fixtures in your home, consider products that are durable, high quality, and budget-friendly. This is one of the home improvements that add value by giving your home the facelift you are looking for, without losing money along the way.


3) A sunroom addition


Sunrooms are tricky because some homebuyers love them while others find them unnecessary. Starting home renovations as large as enclosing your patio or deck to create a sunroom can be expensive, and is not usually included in a home’s total square footage. Since a sunroom will likely not be included in the final calculation, there’s no guarantee that adding a sunroom to your home will increase its value.


Instead: Spruce up your deck or patio by repainting and adding greenery 


Make the most out of your patio or deck by transforming it into a great bonus area for entertaining guests. You can turn your deck into an outdoor oasis or give your porch an upgrade by re-staining it or giving it a fresh coat of paint. You can also add plants and outdoor furniture to make your outdoor space feel like an inviting oasis.


4) Bold paint colors


If your walls need repainting, it may be tempting to start home renovations by creating a statement wall by painting geometric patterns or using bold colors to make your home stand out. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same taste, and some homebuyers may see it as a wall they will have to repaint if they decide to purchase the house. Many homeowners are looking for move-in-ready homes, and having to repaint a wall may turn them away.


Instead: Repaint walls if needed and stick to neutrals


Repaint walls using neutral colors that can match any color palette. This is one of the best home improvements that add value to your home and it is easy to accomplish. Repainting walls in neutral colors creates a blank slate for homebuyers and it can make your home look modern and move-in ready.


5) Standing showers


If you’re looking to start a home renovation that will modernize the bathrooms in your home, the first thought that might cross your mind is to upgrade your shower tubs to standing showers. While this does provide a sleek look, it’s another example of home improvements that do not add value.


Instead: Upgrade to some standing showers, but keep at least 1 bathtub


When executing home renovations to your home with the hopes of increasing your home’s value, it is important to keep options open. Some buyers may like soaking in the tub or have small children and need to have a bathtub in their home. To keep your home practical, be sure to leave at least one bathtub in the home to appeal to every type of buyer. 


6) Trendy designs


Many homes are incorporating bold wallpaper, intricate tile, or mid-century furniture, and you may be tempted to add these trendy features to your home to appeal to potential buyers. As with any other trend, they tend to go out of style fast. If your home stays on the market long enough for the trend to go out of style, these features might make your home look outdated. 


Instead: Stick to timeless and neutral features


Interior design trends are always changing, but there are a few staples that will never go out of style. Choosing neutral paint colors, installing solid color tile, and choosing simple decor will make your house look great to any potential buyer – no matter their style. 


7) Specialized high-end kitchen appliances 


Costly home renovations like replacing outdated appliances with state-of-the-art appliances may make your kitchen look great, but you’ll likely not get a good return on investment on this project. Some potential buyers may appreciate the appliances, but it probably won’t increase the home resale value by much.


Instead: Upgrade your kitchen by repainting cabinets, or installing budget-friendly fixtures 


To give your kitchen a facelift, consider repainting your cabinets, upgrading light fixtures, or swapping out the main kitchen faucet. These simple changes are home improvements that add value to your home while being budget-friendly and will make your kitchen look much more appealing to potential buyers. 

8) A new front door


There are many other ways to make a great first impression with your entryway besides replacing your front door. Front doors can be costly, do not increase home resale value, and may not improve the overall quality of your entryway in the way you envisioned. 


Instead: Repaint the door and add plants to the porch


To make your entryway more appealing, try adding colorful plants and laying out an inviting welcome mat. If your front door needs some TLC, save money by painting it. These changes will greatly improve your curb appeal without spending a fortune.


9) Wall to wall carpeting


If your home has carpets that need replacing, it may not be the best option to replace the area with new carpet. Many homeowners are looking for homes with hardwood floors, and you don’t want to spend money installing brand new carpet just to hear potential buyers say they would prefer a home with hardwood throughout.


Instead: Consider installing hardwood or neutral carpets


Homes with mostly hardwood floors often appraise for higher than homes that have equal parts hardwood and carpeted flooring. Consider installing hardwood or a hardwood alternative, like tile, to areas that need new flooring. If you choose to stick with carpeting, install carpets that are neutral and budget-friendly.

10) A new roof or HVAC system


Large home features like your HVAC system and roof should only be replaced when there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. Home improvement projects like these are costly and time-consuming. If they’re not damaged or broken, there’s no need to replace your roof or HVAC system to the newest, most efficient version.


Instead: Replace large features because it is necessary, not because you are expecting a high return on your investment


If there is something wrong with your HVAC system or roof, it will need to be fixed before selling your home. However, you should not upgrade these features only to give your home a higher home resale value.


Bonus: Does a pool add value to your home?


This question is a difficult question to answer because there are many factors to consider. The simple answer is, it depends on your location and what the buyer is looking for. A home with a pool in warmer climates like Arizona and Florida will likely increase in value since it can be enjoyed year-round. Meanwhile, a home located in Indiana or Minnesota will likely not see this same increase in value because some homebuyers may see this as an unnecessary part of the home that can only be used a few months out of the year. However, this may be changing.


Pro tip: “Covid-19 has changed the appeal for pools even in typically colder climates. Because so many people are staying home, more in-ground pools have become a higher priority even if there’s only one season to use it. Long waitlists and installation prices that have tripled are becoming the new norm. Short-term vacation rentals are becoming more and more popular as well. Having a private pool will greatly increase the amount of rent that can be obtained. The question is how long will this added demand last – or is it here to stay?” – Eric Strung from Direct Property Buyer


Another factor to consider is that many people find a pool a liability rather than a perk. Families with small children or pets can see the pool as a hazard while others may not want to spend the time and money it takes to maintain a pool. Building a pool can be time-consuming and expensive; since there is no guarantee that a pool will add value to your home there is no way of knowing if you will be able to get your money back from this project. If you are renovating your home to put it on the market, it is probably best to try other home renovations that are more likely to increase your home’s value.


Source: Redfin


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Here’s Where To Start if You’re Selling and Buying at the Same Time

By Dusty Rhodes • August 3, 2026
If you’re a homeowner getting ready to move , one question usually comes first: should you buy your next home before you sell, or sell your current house before you start looking? There’s no single right answer. The best call depends on your finances, your local market, and your timeline. And a trusted agent can help you weigh all of it. But in a lot of cases these days, selling first puts you in the stronger spot. The Advantages of Selling First Selling is usually the trickier half of a move today, so getting it done first clears your biggest hurdle. And that’s especially true right now , because there are more homes for sale than there are buyers, which means houses are taking longer to sell than they did a year or two ago. So how does leading with your sale pay off? Let’s start with the money. 1. You Won’t Get Stuck Paying Two Mortgages Buy before you sell, and you could end up carrying two mortgages at once. And especially since houses are staying on the market longer these days, that overlap may drag on for more time than you’d planned. And if unexpected repairs come up, it could get even more expensive. Selling first takes that risk off the table, so you’re not multitasking homeownership. As Ramsey Solutions puts it: “It’s best to sell your old home before buying a new one to avoid unnecessary risks and possible headaches.“ 2. You Can Use Your Equity To Fuel Your Move This is always true, but one of the biggest perks of selling first is that you’ll know exactly how much money you’re walking away with. And one of the big figures that matters in that conversation is how much equity you have in your current place. Equity is basically your house’s value minus what you still owe on your mortgage. And it adds up fast. According to Realtor.com , homeowners who’ve been in their home for 5 years have about $180,000 in equity on average. And those who’ve had their home for 6-10 years? They have over $340,000. After you sell, you can use that money to cover your down payment or even buy your next home in cash. And knowing that profit up front helps you plan your next move. 3. Your Offer Will Be Hard To Pass Up When your house is already sold, you don’t have to make your offer contingent on that sale. In a market where buyers are taking their time, that’s exactly what a seller wants to see. Picture it from the seller’s side. If their house has been sitting for a while, they’ll gravitate toward the offer most likely to close without a snag. That can also give you room to ask for a little more, like repairs, since a motivated seller would rather keep things moving than lose you and wait for another offer to come in. Your agent can help you make the most of your upper hand in that scenario. Is There a Catch? Selling first has its tradeoffs too, and it helps to see the pros and cons side by side before you decide. Here’s a quick breakdown based on information from Zillow (see visual below) : 

7 Reasons to Use Real Estate Drone Photography for Your Listing

By Dusty Rhodes • July 26, 2026
Online listing photos often shape a buyer’s first impression of a home. They want to understand the home’s setting, the size of the lot, and what makes the property unique before deciding whether it’s worth a visit. That’s one reason real estate drone photography has become a popular addition to many listings. That said, aerial photography isn’t a must-have for every home. Whether you’re selling a home in Houston, TX or listing a rental in Asheville, NC , knowing when to use this style of professional photography can help highlight the features that matter most to buyers. Here are seven situations where real estate drone photography can make a listing more compelling. Key takeaways: Best for homes where the setting is part of the selling point. Shows lot size, layout, and nearby amenities at a glance. Helps buyers visualize features that aren’t visible from the ground. Less valuable for standard homes on small lots. Should be performed by a licensed drone operator following local regulations. 1. The property sits on a large lot or acreage Large properties are difficult to capture from the ground. Aerial photos show the property’s full footprint and help buyers appreciate how much land they’re getting. Bradley Harkey, owner at LuxRE Photos , says drone photography is especially valuable for homes with room to grow. “Drone photography can really be essential when you are selling a home with a lot of land. A view from above can showcase the potential even when it’s not exactly obvious from the ground.” He says buyers often struggle to picture what an undeveloped yard could become. “Oftentimes an unprepped backyard can just look like a bunch of weeds to a potential buyer, but when seen from above, you can visualize where that pool can go, or that basketball hoop, or that go-kart track you always wanted as a kid. Some homes have so much potential, but it’s hard to see between the weeds.” Whether it’s acreage, an equestrian property , or simply a spacious backyard, aerial images help buyers see the property’s potential. 2. The home has waterfront views or scenic surroundings Some of a home’s best features aren’t visible from the front yard. Waterfront access, mountain views, wooded privacy, and distinctive architecture all benefit from an elevated perspective. Doug Smith, principal and founder of Houzpics LLC , explains, “Aerial photography is especially valuable for waterfront or estates with large, feature-rich lots, multi-story architecture, and homes with scenic surroundings. Aerial images help buyers understand the property’s layout and highlight features that traditional ground-level photos may not fully capture.” Rather than focusing only on the home, aerial photography showcases the entire setting.

Psychology says people who keep going back to the beach aren’t just relaxing, they may be restoring something deeper

By Dusty Rhodes • July 21, 2026
Some people enjoy the beach. Others seem drawn to it. They choose beach vacations over city breaks. They find excuses to visit the coast whenever they can. They feel calmer the moment they hear waves crashing or catch sight of the ocean on the horizon. Friends and family may joke that they're "obsessed" with the beach, but psychology suggests there may be more happening beneath the surface. For many people, a love of the beach is not simply about sunshine, swimming, or beautiful views. Research suggests that coastal environments may provide something the modern brain desperately needs: a chance to recover from constant mental demands. Attention Restoration Theory may explain the attraction to the beach One of the most influential explanations comes from Attention Restoration Theory, developed by environmental psychologists Rachel Kaplan and Stephen Kaplan. The theory suggests that everyday life requires large amounts of what researchers call directed attention. This is the mental effort people use to focus during meetings, answer emails, ignore distractions, make decisions, navigate traffic, and manage responsibilities. Over time, directed attention becomes fatigued. Natural environments appear to affect the brain differently. The Kaplans proposed that nature creates a state known as soft fascination. Instead of demanding concentration, environments such as beaches gently hold attention without effort. As a result, the brain gets an opportunity to recover from mental fatigue . For frequent beachgoers, this may help explain why a few hours by the ocean often feels more restorative than an entire day spent indoors. Research on blue spaces supports the idea Psychologists and public health researchers often use the term blue spaces to describe environments that contain visible water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and coastlines. Over the past decade, a growing body of research has linked blue-space exposure to improved psychological well-being . A 2020 research, Blue space, health and well-being: A narrative overview and synthesis of potential benefits, led by environmental psychologist Mathew White has found that people who spend more time near coastal environments often report better mental health and higher life satisfaction. The authors propose that water environments may improve mental health through several connected pathways: Increased physical activity (people walk, swim, or move more near water) Psychological restoration (reduced mental fatigue and stress) Social interaction (waterfronts often encourage gathering and recreation) Environmental effects such as improved air quality and aesthetic satisfaction Importantly, the review also highlights that blue spaces share similarities with green spaces (like parks and forests), but water environments may have unique psychological effects due to their sensory characteristics and emotional associations. Why the ocean feels different from other environments Many people report feeling calmer almost immediately when they arrive at the beach. Psychologists believe part of the reason may be the unique combination of sensory experiences. The sound of waves is rhythmic and predictable. The horizon creates a sense of openness. The movement of water captures attention without overwhelming it. Unlike social media feeds, traffic, news alerts, and crowded urban environments, the beach provides relatively low levels of cognitive demand. In simple terms, the ocean gives the brain less work to do. That reduction in mental effort may help explain why people often describe feeling lighter, calmer, or more clear-headed after spending time near the water. Place Attachment Theory says beaches can become part of identity For some people, the connection goes beyond relaxation. Psychologists study a concept known as place attachment, which refers to the emotional bond people develop with specific locations. Certain places become connected to family memories, childhood experiences, important life events, or feelings of belonging. Over time, the beach may become more than a destination. It becomes part of a person's identity. This may explain why some individuals return to the same stretch of coastline year after year, even when countless other travel options are available.