While it’s easy to assume that any amenity or addition to your home will increase its value and usefulness, that isn’t always the case. There are some items that will be more of a hassle than they’re worth at the end of the day, especially if they don’t actually increase the value of your home.
Outdoor Kitchen
While this might seem like a great idea in the summer, the reality is, in Canada summers are short, so a fully decked out kitchen space outside will only be useable for a few months. It will be a costly addition that you can only use for a short period of time, and few buyers will be looking for a home with this kind of addition.
Pool
While there are certain buyers who will look for a home with a pool, it will be more common to find those who don’t want the hassle. Just as the outdoor kitchen can only be used for a few short months, the same goes for a pool. And beyond the short period of time it can be used, it also requires a lot of upkeep to keep it clean and functioning properly—so many see it as not worth the investment.
Spiral Staircase
While this might seem like a beautiful architectural addition to your home, the reality of a spiral staircase is much less glamorous than it seems in theory. Steps are smaller and easier to trip on, so if you’re carrying loads of laundry up and downstairs it can be hazardous, and because of their unique shape they take up a lot more space in your home, taking away from storage space you would have with a traditional staircase.
Wine Cellar
While it won’t hurt the value of your property, few people actually drink enough wine to make this a useful use of space within the home. You’ll add more value by turning it into an extra bathroom or closet space than by using it this way.