Renovations that could lower the value of your home

• Room Conversions
• High-End Landscaping
• Bright Wall Colours
• Built-In Electronics
• Carpeting
• Removing Cabinets
• Fancy Lighting
• FAQ’s

People renovate their homes for various reasons – whether to personalise their space to their taste or maximise their space for their needs. Although these are great when you’re staying in the property, some renovations lower the value of your home when it’s time to sell. Pretty shocking, right?

If you’ve just purchased a home and are planning improvements, here are a few things you want to remember before you take the big leap. Keep reading to find out the list of renovations that lower the value of your home.

Room Expansions or Conversions

The number of rooms is a major determining factor when it comes to the selling price of a home. This is why combining or converting rooms is considered one of the renovations that lowers the value of a home.

So, instead of knocking down smaller rooms to create larger rooms, try using each room for different purposes – like a small office space or an exercise room. Or, if you think your room is small, use lighter colours on the wall and furnish it with compact furniture to make it seem bigger. Placing mirrors in rooms also creates an illusion of a bigger room.

High-End Landscaping

A lush garden adds a classy touch to your home; however, prior research must be done before planting any trees. Over-the-top landscaping, or planting trees without knowing what they look like, can cost you in the long run. It is one of the renovations that lower the value of your home when you add the costs to landscape a beautiful garden.

Many trees tend to grow significantly bigger and ruin walls, tiles and pools. In addition, some trees shed more leaves than usual, adding to additional maintenance costs. Factor in the costs of repairing these damages, along with the cost of removal—that’s a lot of money!

On the other hand, a high-maintenance garden could overwhelm potential buyers when they factor in the cost involved in maintaining the plants. Keeping plants alive requires fertilisers, pesticides, trimming, watering, etc – costs that can intimidate a buyer.

We recommend keeping your yard simple and easy to maintain. Do your research and choose a few durable plants that don’t require maintenance and lots of attention. There is beauty in simplicity; it’s up to you to find it.

Personalised Wall Colours

A lot of us love a pop of colour on the wall. However, wallpapers and wall-paints are very specific to people’s tastes. Removing paint or wallpaper is also challenging and expensive. Which is why colourful wallpaper could put off potential buyers and even lower the value of your home

Use neutral or light colours on the walls to ensure your home’s value does not lower. To add colour to your living room, use temporary fixes like getting colourful curtains or furnishing with statement furniture instead of painting or changing the walls. Avoid renovations like custom texturing and popcorn ceilings, too. Instead, you could use bold colours sparingly in bathrooms or hallways.

Carpeting

Carpeting can beautify a home and make each step feel warm. However, it wears down quickly, holds dirt, debris and odours and shows damage. Also, the colour and texture of your house’s carpet might not match your potential buyers’ tastes.

To avoid a renovation that could lower your home’s value, stick to wood or hardwood floors. They are the safest option for flooring, as they cater to most tastes.

Removing Cabinets

A common misconception amongst sellers is that by removing cabinets, you’re increasing space in the property.

The reality is that buyers seek storage spaces in their homes, and taking cabinets away might put them off from buying the property. So, instead of removing your cabinets, focus on revamping your pantries and wardrobes.

Overtly Fancy Light Fixtures

It’s common to see a chandelier or a fancy light fixture in a house in Dubai. These lights add an elegant touch to the space, instantly amping its look. However, lighting can get outdated quickly – and there’s a high chance that the light fixtures in vogue today could look tacky a few years later.

The best way forward is to opt for simple lighting, ideally, the types that can easily be switched at low costs. You want to sell a home that looks like a blank canvas, not as a space already personalised to your taste.

Built-in Electronics

A smart home or a residence equipped with all sorts of tech to make life easier, such as smart lights, thermostats, or video doorbells, has become all the rage lately. However, technology tends to advance rapidly, and the breakthrough electronics you have today could become outdated in a few years. This is why built-in electronics is one of the top renovations that lower the value of your home.

Built-in electronics also take up a lot of space in the home, and if they aren’t as important to the potential buyer, they could put them off from buying your home. This is why we recommend avoiding too many built-in electronics and opting for basic devices for lighting and security.

FAQs about home renovation in Dubai and more

How can I sell my property in Dubai?

To sell your property in Dubai, you want to find a good real estate agent and sign a Form A agreement with them. This agreement allows the agent to market the property legally. Then, they can advertise the property via social media, portals like Bayut and dubizzle and their website.

Once you find a buyer, you will be signing an MoU called Form F, laying down all the sale terms. Then, you will sign an NOC and transfer ownership to the DLD. You can check out our guide to selling property in Dubai for a detailed walkthrough.

What renovations can increase the value of my home?

There are a few home improvements that could help increase your home’s value when it’s time to sell. Once you identify important interior design elements, you can choose improvements such as siding, minor kitchen renovations (sink and counter replacements) and hardwood floors.

If you’re looking for ways to elevate your home without spending a lot of money, check out our guide to budget-friendly home improvements.

What defects should you look out for before selling your house?

Before putting your house on the market, you should ensure that a few noticeable defects are fixed. These include peeling paint, leaky taps, broken lights, mould and limescale build-up in kitchens or bathrooms. You want your house to be in good condition before it’s sold.

Home improvement is an art that requires thought, research and an understanding of aesthetics. Discover the coolest home renovation hacks with MyBayut, the region’s biggest property blog.