Home improvement projects that reportedly don’t pay off at resale

[OfTheCross]

Boston-area homeowners spent $5.2 billion on home improvement projects in 2017, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, and it’s little wonder why. Our housing stock is old, for one thing, so about half of that money was spent on replacement projects as opposed to discretionary upgrades. But with home values climbing for nearly seven years straight and many buyers willing to pay a premium for a move-in ready home, remodelers are sometimes rewarded with a higher price at resale, making renovations seem like a sound investment.

But not every project is going to yield a commensurate increase in your property’s value. “Dollars into a home doesn’t always translate into dollars out,’’ said Dana Bull, a real estate investor and realtor with Sagan Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty in Marblehead.

boston.com

I've always been told that bathrooms and kitchens sell homes. Pools and jacuzzis don't pay off

[mountaineer]

I've always been told that bathrooms and kitchens sell homes. Pools and jacuzzis don't pay off

That's been my understanding. I hope to spruce up our master bathroom soon, replacing vinyl floor and fiberglas shower enclosure with ceramic tile.

[Cyber Liberty]

I've always been told that bathrooms and kitchens sell homes. Pools and jacuzzis don't pay off

That is correct.  The Castle I now live in has a Jacuzzi in the Master Bedroom, and it has had zero effect on the price since it was built in 1990.   There used to be a pool, but it was filled in years ago because it was too expensive to maintain, an actual net drain on the home's value.  I would not have purchased it if it had a pool.  Mrs. Liberty disagrees...

[Wingnut]

Hey, when did Bob Vila start posting at the BR?

[corbe]

   On Monday I took out a 17 yo 30 gallon water heater and put in a tankless, that kicked my azz and took all day with the rerouting of the gas/water lines.  I've yet to build the cabinet that will house it, paint the walls and level and redo the floor (wood slats).   I'm getting too old for this $hit but too damn stubborn to hire a contractor.

[OfTheCross]

   On Monday I took out a 17 yo 30 gallon water heater and put in a tankless, that kicked my azz and took all day with the rerouting of the gas/water lines.  I've yet to build the cabinet that will house it, paint the walls and level and redo the floor (wood slats).   I'm getting too old for this $hit but too damn stubborn to hire a contractor.

You did your own electrical work for it?

I swapped mine out last year, I paid someone to do it, though.

[corbe]

   Yes, @OfTheCross I had to put in a new electrical box also, ran it through the wall from the kitchen.   It's all 'up to code'.

[Cyber Liberty]

   Yes, @OfTheCross I had to put in a new electrical box also, ran it through the wall from the kitchen.   It's all 'up to code'.

That's hefty work.  Last year I had someone replace my upstairs flash heater (which didn't work well) with a regular 40-gallon water heater.  I'm good at Electrical, having spent a few Summers during College working for my father who was an Electrical Contractor, but I am all thumbs when it comes to plumbing.  We don't have gas.

[corbe]

  I used PEC pipe and shark bite adapters for the Hot/Cold water connectons and used a Flexible line for the Gas. The Vent pipe was my biggest concern because I didn't want to cut another hole in my roof on this 100+ year house. 

[Cyber Liberty]

  I used PEC pipe and shark bite adapters for the Hot/Cold water connectons and used a Flexible line for the Gas. The Vent pipe was my biggest concern because I didn't want to cut another hole in my roof on this 100+ year house.

Your roof thanks you for not having to install a larger Jack.