Martin's Blog 05/08/10 - Home 'Improvements' That Can Cost You Dearly - Martin Roberts

1. Knocking Down Walls to Create a Bigger Bedroom - In the UK housing market, it is the number of bedrooms that really counts not the square footage. Take a note from the major house builders that will aim to squeeze in that 4th bedroom when possible - even though often cases it's barely big enough to swing a cat! So, knocking down walls to extend a bedroom might suit you but it won't do much for the value of your house. If you have say, a 4 bedroom home and you want to increase the size of one room, the result will be that buyers will judge your property to be a comparatively expensive 3 bedrom home.

2. Home Gyms - Whilst you may have desires on becoming the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, usually home gyms are squeezed into tiny spaces, just so the owners can say that they have one. However, abit like that Gym Membership that seems to loose its appeal after a couple of months, home gyms often don't get used for the purpose they are intended and the space is effectively rendered useless.

3. Swimming Pools - They are very expensive to install, very expensive to run and maintain and take up an awful lot of space. We simply don't have the climate here in the UK to justify them and again they tend to be a luxury that is little used. Buyers will fear the costs of running a pool and reports conclude that generally speaking people would prefer to use indoor space for a large play room or hobby room than a pool.

4. Converting Outbuildings into Cottages - Whilst a single holiday let cottage might add value to a country house as it provides for an additional income earning opportunity, any more and you run the risk of the business taking over the home element of a property.

5. Extravagent Fixtures and Fittings - I once viewed a property that had a 'Willow Pattern' bathroom suite. Whilst this might have suited an extravent French Chateau or something, this was in a family home in a village location and it was no wonder that the owners were having difficulty selling. Overspending on light fittings and taps etc will not pay you back in terms of the value of your property. You should finish your property to a standard that is reflective of the type of home, the people that are likely to live there and the area. Having gold plated taps in a standard 2 bed city centre terrace house doesn't make it any more appealing.

6. Award Winning Gardens - I believe it is important to keep your garden neat and tidy but having a garden that wouldn't look out of place on the cover of Homes and Gardens might actually deter buyers. Gardening isn't for everyone and having one that appears to be high maintenance could mean that possible future owners will end up counting the man hours involved in keeping them that way.

7. Installing Swanky New Kitchens and Bathrooms - Of course, these rooms are important aspects of the house, but don't go installing anything over the top just to put your property on the market. Most people will have their own ideas for these rooms so adding a bespoke kitchen or state of the art bathroom might actually limit the property's appeal.

8. Over Ambitious Extensions - Could cost you a small fortune and result in your house looking and feeling disproportionate. Take notice of surrounding houses and remember that most buyers will expect your home to be similar in size and price to the one next door.

9. Garish or Kitsch Decoration - Leave the dramatic wall coverings and bright colours for now. When it comes to marketing your property for sale, neutral colours and uncluttered rooms are the least offensive to buyers - all of whom will have their own views and tastes.

10. Cocktail Bar in the Living Room - all very Pat Butcher I'm afraid. Whilst taking up alot of space, my experience is that unless kept pristine all the time, rows of glasses and bottles can soon look unkempt and can detract from other more appealing features.