New granite countertops, new tile flooring, a new brushed stainless steel sink, and a sophisticated cabinet system with a hideaway refrigerator — these things and more might be your dreams coming true, but that doesn’t make them the appraiser’s nor potential buyers’. If remodeling is a must, treat with caution and avoid overspending. In general, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it will impress potential buyers to have a nice one. However, you will not realize a 100% ROI on a kitchen remodel. No one is telling you to hang onto the plaster or old ceramic sink, but it would be smart to tread with caution. Take a dip elsewhere. It could save you thousands, sometimes even tens of thousands. Before installing an in-ground pool prior to sale in the hope of adding value to your home, think this through. Pools are for homeowners who want to enjoy them— and maintain them, and service them. They are not a particularly strong draw to home buyers. There are some possible exceptions, of course. Do you live in Southern California or Florida? In that case, a pool might well be an important element for more than a few potential buyers. If you live in a state that experiences real winters, though, an in-ground pool holds less value than in the states where the sun hardly sleeps. Youmay argue that you can have a heated pool in an enclosure, but then it becomes a question of adding the pool for your own enjoyment. Regardless of whether you choose to install an indoor or outdoor in-ground pool, or even a permanent above- ground pool in a deck, heavily weigh the pros and cons. Are you going to enjoy the pool yourself for a few years or are you installing it to improve the home’s sale value? Are you prepared to fill in an in-ground pool or dismantle an above-ground pool at a buyer’s request? Many potential buyers view pools as a hazard, especially if they have children or grandchildren who will be in the home with them. They will also be aware of the extra costs attached to the pool for maintenance and water bills. If your wallet will be just as happy paying for all the expenses attached to installing a pool, keeping up withmaintenance, and potentially losing out on tens of thousands of dollars when you can’t recoup your investment
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