If you’re preparing to sell your home in Metro Detroit, it’s natural to think a few upgrades might help you get top dollar. After all, buyers love move-in-ready homes, right? While certain renovations can boost your resale value, not all upgrades are worth the time, money, or effort—and some may actually hurt your sale.
Before you start remodeling the bathroom or installing that dream kitchen, let’s break down which upgrades to avoid and why.
❌ 1. Don’t Add a Pool Unless You Plan to Swim In It
A pool might sound luxurious, but in most markets, it’s a terrible return on investment. We’ve seen homeowners spend $50,000 or more to install an in-ground pool—only to add maybe $5,000–$10,000 to their home’s value.
In fact, many buyers see pools as expensive maintenance and liability, especially families with young kids or buyers in seasonal climates like Michigan. If you’re not planning to enjoy that pool yourself for years, save the money and skip the dig.
✅ Better alternative: A well-maintained yard or patio area with clean landscaping can attract just as much buyer interest—without the extra cost.
❌ 2. Avoid Overly Personalized Renovations
Your home should reflect your style—but when you’re selling, neutral sells better. A black bathroom with gold fixtures, a neon accent wall, or a vintage pink kitchen might be your dream… but could be your buyer’s nightmare.
Highly customized choices make it harder for buyers to envision themselves in the space.
🎯 Pro tip: Repaint bold-colored rooms in light neutrals (whites, grays, taupe). Replace that zebra-print backsplash with a timeless tile. Let the buyer see a blank canvas.
❌ 3. Don’t Decide for the Buyer—Offer Credits Instead
If the countertops are outdated or the lighting is stuck in 1997, resist the urge to choose trendy replacements. Buyers often want to pick finishes themselves.
Instead of risking the wrong upgrade, consider offering a credit for the buyer to choose their own countertops, flooring, or appliances. It’s a win-win: you avoid renovation costs, and the buyer feels more in control.
🛠 Example: Instead of installing a $6,000 quartz countertop, offer a $4,000 credit at closing. You save money, and the buyer is happy.
❌ 4. Leave the Basement Unfinished
You may think finishing the basement will add thousands to your sale price, but in most cases, it doesn’t. Finishing a basement can cost $20,000–$50,000, depending on size and condition, and many buyers would rather remodel it their own way.
If the space is clean and dry, just present it as a blank slate with potential.
🧱 Pro tip: Add good lighting and remove clutter to make an unfinished basement feel more usable—even without walls or flooring.
❌ 5. Don’t Convert Rooms or Change Their Purpose
That fourth bedroom may have worked great as your home gym or office, but when it comes to listing the home, stick with the room’s original purpose. Buyers often search by bedroom count, and converting one into a den or library could reduce your home’s marketability.
💡 Example: A 4-bed, 2-bath home will get more views and higher comps than a 3-bed + office setup—even if the square footage is the same.
❌ 6. Don’t Out-Upgrades Your Neighborhood
Even if your budget allows it, don’t be the most expensive home on the block. Over-improving can make your house harder to sell because buyers looking in your neighborhood typically have a price range in mind.
Research comparable homes (or ask a real estate pro), and aim to keep your upgrades competitive—not excessive.
🔎 Tip: If most homes nearby have laminate counters and mid-range appliances, adding Sub-Zero fridges and marble floors may push your price too high for your area.