Many people are choosing to make improvements to their home instead of buying a new home.
Many of the costs of home improvements made to the kitchen and master bathroom will be recouped if you sell your home.
If you hope to earn back the majority of the money you spent on your home improvement, make sure you don't invest in the following.
photo courtesy of Media Director https://www.flickr.com/photos/65978013@N03/6363999933Swimming pools are not a good investment.
Swimming pools are great to have in a back yard, but only if you like to swim all the time.
If a buyer is concerned about the safety, liability, upkeep, added insurance, increased utilities, and added costs, a swimming pool is something they definitely do not want in a new home.
Swimming pools can detract more buyers than they attract.
If you plan on installing a pool in your home, do not expect that improvement to increase your home's value, unless having a pool in your specific high-end neighborhood is considered mandatory.
Extensive gardens are not a good investment.
A nice manicured yard is important when selling a home.
If your garden is filled with expensive intricate stonework, ponds, exotic plants, and/or extensive automated systems, you have probably over improved your landscape.
Buyers like a nice yard, but are usually not going to pay extra for all the exterior improvements.
A new roof is not a good investment.
Most people are not concerned about the age of a roof as much as they are concerned about whether it leaks.
If your roof is in good repair, then leave it alone.
Really custom improvements are not a good investment.
If you add something that is taste specific, such as a built in aquarium, kegerator, or walk in cigar humidor, your home's value will probably not increase because not everyone appreciates those hobbies.
Your home may actually become harder to sell because potential owners won't know what to do with that space and don't want to maintain it or pay to change it back.
Expansive technology upgrades are not a good investment.
Technology changes rapidly and many electronics are currently going wireless.
Remember home intercoms? What type of TV were you watching 10 years ago?
If you sell your home in 10 years, most technology upgrades will be obsolete and worthless.
Overboard improvements are not a good investment.
If you have improved your home way more than all of your neighbors, you probably have reached the price cap for your neighborhood.
Most neighborhoods have a maximum price that homes of a certain square footage are sold for.
If you improve past that point, you will not get your money back on improvements.
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