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10 Home Upgrades That May Hurt More Than Help When You Sell

Some home improvement projects may not recoup the money you put into them.

By Jenny Cohen , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Sept. 29, 2026

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With demand for homes outpacing supply, considering selling could be a smart homeowner move.

However, before making changes to get your house market-ready, take a step back and decide if that new project is truly worth taking on.

Here are some home improvements you may want to avoid if you're planning to put up the "For Sale" sign in your yard soon.

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Remodeling the kitchen

A kitchen renovation can be a costly and time-consuming project, which is not likely to be among the moves you want to make before home prices fall.

If you're worried that your kitchen may look dated or not high-end enough for buyers, consider cosmetic changes that might not cost as much as a total remodel but will still look good. For example, repaint your cabinets with a light color to make the room brighter or replace your dated window treatments above the sink with something more modern.

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Breaking down walls

Some buyers may prefer a more open floor plan, but not everyone is looking for that one-room-for-everything kind of space. In fact, some people may prefer to have a separate space for the kids to play. Others may want a room that they can turn into an office if they continue to work from home.

If you want to appeal to those seeking an open floor plan, invite an interior designer or artist to draw up some potential open-concept options for buyers to look at, so they get an idea of what's possible for their needs.

Cutting back on bedrooms

You might think your small bedroom closet won't be appealing, but perhaps converting a bedroom into a master closet oasis to attract buyers is not the answer. Home prices can depend on the number of bedrooms you offer, and more often is better.

If you are worried about buyers seeing your overstuffed closets, declutter before showing your home. Packing away extra clothes and shoes is a quick fix to make the closet space look more inviting.

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Redesigning the living room

Bright pops of color and modern graphic wallpaper have become more popular in recent years. However, the time to experiment with color is not right before you put your house on the market.

Instead, you might want to go for simple home improvements that can increase your home's value, such as giving the walls a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint so they will appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

Remodeling the bathroom

If you're about to put your home on sale, it might be too late to be worried about how your bathroom will look when a buyer walks through. A bathroom remodel can be a major project that takes months, and you may not have that amount of time before you list your house for sale.

Also, consider the possible return on investment, or lack thereof, for an expensive bathroom remodel project. According to Zonda's latest Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange bathroom remodel has an average cost of $25,251 but a value at sale of $18,613, recouping only about 74% of the cost.

Pro tip: If you decide to take on an expensive project like a new bathroom, look into a home improvement loan to possibly help cover the costs.

Overdoing landscaping

Curb appeal is real, and you want your house to make a good first impression when a buyer drives up to the home. So, feel free to freshen up your home's look with new flowers and plants, and remember to clean up your yard by pulling weeds and adding some additional mulch to flower beds.

On the other hand, you may want to think twice about more expensive investments, such as additional stonework like a walkway or a brick patio in the backyard.

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Buying new furniture

Are you worried about those outdated living room couches and the bed that's too big for your guest room? Investing in new furniture may not be the best plan of action to fix those issues now.

Instead, consider putting the furniture in storage and asking your real estate agent for recommendations about having someone stage your home. A home stager may have modern options that can work for the space you have at a price that's cheaper than buying new. You can then take those savings to the home you buy and get furniture that best suits the new space.

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Converting a loft space

A loft space can be a great place for a sitting area or an office — or it might be wasted space you never really figured out how to handle. Converting it into an extra bedroom may be a good idea in theory because it adds to the number of bedrooms in your home. However, such a project might be easier to imagine than to execute.

Factor in any kind of construction needed to complete the project, and remember that there may be building permits that have to be approved as part of the process.

Rewiring lights

Lighting can make a room look bright and inviting to buyers. But changing and rewiring lighting can be a big added cost you might want to avoid right before putting your home on the market.

Instead of adding extra recessed lights or installing pendant lights in kitchens and bathrooms, think about changing out your current light bulbs for replacements that are brighter and more energy-efficient. That little change can warm up a room while also giving homebuyers a chance to make their own changes when they move in.

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Adding a deck

A deck may be a nice thing to have in your backyard for warm months, but you might not recoup as much of the cost as you had hoped when you sell.

Adding a wood deck costs an average of $17,615, according to Zonda's Cost vs. Value Report, but gets a return of $14,596 in resale value. That means you might recoup 83% of the deck's value when you sell.

Bottom line

It can be wise to invest money in your home before you put it on the market. Some small changes can pay big dividends when it is time to sell.

But be cautious about where you spend your money and focus on the right projects to get the best return on your investment.

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