10 Fixes You’ll Regret If You Ever Try to Sell

Some fixes sound smart in the moment… until you try to sell your house. That’s when you realize not everyone thinks your personal touch is so great. In fact, a few of those updates might make buyers back away fast—or throw out a lower offer than you were hoping for. If there’s even a chance you’ll sell down the road, these are the fixes you’ll want to think twice about.

Painting Every Room a Dark Color

Dark walls can be pretty in the right space, but most buyers aren’t interested in rooms that feel closed in or moody. A lot of people walk in and immediately start calculating how much paint they’ll need to lighten things up.

If you want your home to feel fresh and move-in ready, stick with light, neutral colors. You can still add personality with art or pillows, but don’t give buyers a reason to mentally tack on a weekend of repainting.

Ripping Out Closets for “More Space”

Turning a closet into open floor space might seem smart, especially if the room feels small. But most buyers want storage more than extra wall space. Lose the closets, and you lose a big selling point.

You don’t have to keep every closet, but think hard before you take one out. A missing coat closet or hallway linen space can turn buyers off fast. Storage never goes out of style.

Going All Out on a Fancy Kitchen

A kitchen with top-of-the-line everything sounds great until you realize it’s way nicer than the rest of the house—or the neighborhood. Over-upgrading here won’t always get you that money back.

It’s smarter to aim for a good, clean update that fits the rest of the home. Quality finishes, working appliances, and a neutral look will do more for resale than a chef’s kitchen with a mismatched price tag.

Turning the Garage Into a Bonus Room

Converting your garage into a gym or second living space can seem handy, but a lot of buyers will miss the garage. Especially in bad weather or neighborhoods where parking is tight.

If you need extra space, look for other options. Most folks want to be able to park inside or store tools and gear. A lost garage is one of those changes that can really cost you at resale.

Removing the Only Bathtub

Walk-in showers are great, but if you only have one full bathroom and you yank the tub, you’re going to lose some buyers. Families with kids almost always want at least one bathtub.

If you’ve got multiple bathrooms, sure—swap one out. But if there’s only one? Keep the tub. You’ll thank yourself when it’s time to list the house and families start touring.

Overdoing Trendy Tile

Patterned or bold tile can be fun, but too much of it quickly becomes a turn-off. Buyers usually don’t want to rip out brand-new tile they don’t like—but they will if it feels too specific.

Stick with classic tile styles and colors that won’t feel dated in a few years. If you’re dying to try something fun, go for a smaller space like a powder room or laundry nook where it won’t feel overwhelming.

Installing High-Maintenance Landscaping

Elaborate flower beds, koi ponds, and custom features might feel impressive, but they also scream “time-consuming.” A lot of buyers don’t want to be stuck maintaining a yard they didn’t design.

If resale is on your radar, lean toward landscaping that looks clean and is easy to take care of. Think mulch, trimmed shrubs, and a healthy lawn. You can always add personality with planters or seasonal touches.

Adding Built-Ins That Limit Layouts

Built-in desks, shelves, and benches can be helpful, but if they’re oddly placed or oversized, they can box buyers in. People like flexible rooms that they can picture using in their own way.

Unless a built-in adds serious value or function, skip it—or make sure it’s easy to remove later. What works for you might not work for the next person trying to make that space their own.

Combining Bedrooms for a Bigger One

Turning two bedrooms into a big one might sound nice, but dropping your bedroom count hurts your listing. People search based on number of rooms. Fewer rooms = fewer clicks.

If you want a larger space, find ways to rearrange or use furniture smarter. But don’t go knocking down walls unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll never sell. Bedroom count matters more than size on paper.

Choosing Trendy or Loud Flooring

Bright tile, barnwood, or super high-shine floors might catch your eye—but they don’t always age well. What’s “in” right now could make your home feel outdated next year.

Stick to neutral flooring in classic finishes. Wood tones, clean tile, or quiet vinyl styles hold up better over time and make it easier for buyers to picture their own furniture in the space.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.