Assuming Personal Upgrades Add Value

Not necessarily—just because you love something doesn’t mean buyers will. You’ve made your house your own with custom features that bring you joy, like hand-built bars, bold colored kitchens, or backyard koi ponds, but buyers might not share your taste. Not all upgrades add value, and some custom features based on personal preferences can actually hurt your home’s appeal and resale value. That neon accent wall might be too bold for most buyers, a built-in bar where they wanted a home office could be a dealbreaker, and a gorgeous koi pond might just represent maintenance hassles in their minds. Buyers want to envision their life in the home, not yours, and if your personal upgrades are too specific, unique, or “you,” that becomes much harder. Smart, experienced agents will help you identify which upgrades work for buyers and which might need toning down or removal. Don’t take it personally—take it seriously. You made those improvements because they enhanced your life, but now it’s time to help the next person see their future in your space. Neutral sells, mass appeal matters, so let your agent guide you toward maximizing your return.