While perhaps the biggest perk of building a custom home is the ability to make it your own, it can also be a downfall when it comes to resale. No matter how much you love the custom home you build, it is unlikely it will be the only or last home you ever live in. It is important to be mindful of your home’s potential resale value. Think outside the box, just not too outside.

Adding original and unique ideas is a great way to make your custom house feel like home, but if you take it too far, it may decrease the potential value of your home. It is very important to balance what you want vs what a buyer may want down the road. Above all else, remember that it is your home first.

Here are some things to consider:

Use of  Space

Choosing a larger bedroom or living space over an additional bedroom can decrease the potential resale value of your home. When it comes down to it, a good rule of thumb is the more bedrooms a house has, the higher the price it can usually command. Similarly, you want to make sure that there are plenty of closets and storage spaces in your home. As your family grows and changes, more and more keepsakes may start popping up and you will be thankful for the extra space! 

Trendy Decor & Accents

Be cautious of the overuse of wallpaper. Wallpaper can be removed; however removing it can be a difficult endeavor – especially when there is a multitude of it all throughout the home. This caution goes with overdoing any finish in your home such as textured walls and ceilings. Trends change, and once you reach the length of time in your home where redecorating becomes an option, remember it is much easier to change a wall color than to fight with wallpaper.

Tile requires effort and money to replace which can run the risk of decreasing the value of your home. Quirky tile can be a fun and personalized addition to your home, but perhaps going with a traditional tile and adding an accent rug that captures the style you are looking for may be the safer route.

High-end Upgrades

Perhaps a more surprising warning is to avoid a high-end kitchen. Oddly enough, being the “heart of the home” doesn’t mean you will get your return on investment in the kitchen. The resale value of a high-end kitchen is actually less than the value you will put into it. Similarly, luxury bathrooms have the same downfall. An upgraded bathroom will add value to your home, but it is easy to get carried away and reach the point of diminishing returns when it comes to luxury. Instead of choosing an over the top whirlpool tubs that are hard to clean and are difficult for some people to climb into, consider a more trending walk-in shower.

Another one to be weary of is built-in high-end electronics. A home theatre is perfect for any movie buff, however customized and built in electronics that take up space in an otherwise “open opportunity” room can be off-putting to potential buyers and lower your homes resale value. Something to consider here is the ever changing technology world. Even if you do stay in your new home, it is unlikely current technology will remain the same. Try to gear your focus towards multi-purpose rooms, that way your home can grow and change with you.

Swimming Pools

Unless you live somewhere that is warm at least six months out of the year, adding a pool to your home may be more trouble than its worth in the long run. Due to the cost to build, maintenance expenses and very minor potential value increase, a pool addition simply is not worth it for most homeowners.

A generic rule of thumb is this: the more personalized the addition is, the more likely it will devalue your home’s resale value. That is not to say you should not make your custom home just the way you want it, it is just to encourage you to weigh the pros and cons of each personalized change or addition you would like to make.

While it is easy to get caught up in preparing your new home to be as perfect as it was in your dreams, don’t forget you still have to sell the one you are in now! There are some easy tricks and tips to getting your old home ready to sell that won’t take took much of your attention off your exciting project.

Refresh your front door

First impressions are key! Give your front door a facelift with a fresh coat of paint. Some color ideas you could try to add some character to your entryway:

• Cool Turquoise; think antique cabinet with a brilliant blue-green rustic paint
• Bright Yellow: bad mood repellant and a burst of sunshine
• Stately Red: bold and classic – try pairing with an ocean blue trim
• Powder/Mint Blue: pale but not boring
• Soft Grape: Nontraditional colors can trigger emotional responses

Don’t be afraid to commit to a color just because it will not work with the indoor living color scheme. Doors have two sides and can be painted two colors!

A Clean Exterior

• A well-groomed yard is a clear message to potential buyers that your home was cared for and well maintained.
• Make sure all of your lights are in working order. Check bulbs and ensure that a used up light bulb does not spark a concern that the issue could be wiring. Do this both inside and out.
• Do not let the views be jeopardized! Wash all windows inside and out.
• Clean out your garage and rid of all nonessentials. Consider getting storage unit to store these items while your home is being shown.
• If the climate and weather permits, add a pop of color by planting some flowers. Along with your well-groomed grass, it will make the house feel more welcoming, bright and well maintained.
• Remove any of the lawn ornaments you intend on taking to your new home. Keep all others to a minimum; you want the potential owners to have more freedom to envision their own take on the yard.
• Replace the old worn out welcome mat with a new and inviting one to welcome potential buyers as they tour the home.
• Paint or replace the street numbers on the house to make them more visible and fresh.
• Power wash out door surfaces such as siding, sidewalks, and the driveway; such a simple task can give the house a “like new” appeal.

A Tidy Interior

Clean everything! Buyers know that there is someone living there, but they want to be able to picture themselves in the home. That can be very hard to do when they are distracted by dust or small messes.

• A purpose for every room. Even if your “bonus” room has no defined purpose, for the showing, give it an identity to help the buyers brainstorm their own potential for the room.
• Let the natural light shine through! Bright rooms are more warm and inviting. When blinds are drawn, the rooms can feel gloomy and often times appear smaller than they are.
• Fix anything that is broken! Buyers will notice every little thing and may offer you less for your home even if the repairs are minor and seemingly insignificant.
• Decluttering is not just for the garage! Keep it light and minimal. Thin out your closet and pantries to show how much room is available to potential buyers.
• The top two things you can do to make your home more appealing is fresh paint and new carpet. It will make your home sell faster and for more money.
• Organize the kitchen, storing any nonessential items and small appliances. Show off the spaciousness and clean all surfaces – even the pesky top of the fridge.
• Before the doors are open and the home is shown, empty all trash cans and hide all dirty laundry.
• Check all of your doors and windows and ensure they open and clothes smoothly. Fix any squeaks – buyers will notice that right out the gate.

If it helps, go through your home as if you were a potential buyer. Be critical and analyze every little thing you can to help spot some possible deterrents as well as some potential areas you can emphasize to make the sale.