Room for Improvement

It may sound strange, but did you know that some home renovations may decrease the value of your home? Money magazine suggests avoiding these four renovations at all costs:

A swimming pool. Unless you live in a hot climate, a swimming pool can be a liability, not an assets. The cost of insurance and pool maintenance can be a buyer turnoff. Families with small children especially avoid homes with pools.

Home addition. Sure an addition to your home will add inside space. But how it will look from the outside? Many home additions can look boxy or unnatural with the rest of the house. If you go for an addition, make sure it is well designed.

Trendy finishes. Don't fall for the latest style or trend when it come to renovating. As soon as it's out of style, it will stick out and look bad. Stick to timeless, classic renovations.

A jacuzzi. Nothing beats a good soak after a long day. But not everyone loves a giant tub with multiple jets. Instead try a rain shower head if you want to add some luxury to a bathroom.

The bottom line is if you are thinking about renovating consult a professional real estate agent that you trust sometime during the planning stage to make sure that you will not cut out a segment of your market when you do decide to sell your home. If you need a good agent, I think I know of just the right person.