7 yard add-ons that could knock $15,000 off your home value

If you’re trying to keep your home value strong, what you add to the yard matters as much as what you take care of inside. Some outdoor projects look like upgrades in the moment but actually drag your resale value down fast. Buyers see future expenses, maintenance headaches, or features they’d rather not deal with — and they factor that into their offers.

Here are seven yard add-ons that could easily knock $15,000 off your home value.

Oversized Above-Ground Pools

An oversized above-ground pool might sound like a fun summer project, but buyers usually see it as an eyesore. They take up a huge portion of the yard, require constant upkeep, and often leave behind patchy, unusable ground when removed. Many people would rather not inherit the cost and hassle of maintaining one.

When appraisers look at homes, they rarely add value for above-ground pools. In fact, some buyers might lower their offer, knowing they’ll need to pay to remove it. What you see as a backyard feature can easily be viewed as an expensive liability.

DIY Sheds Without Permits

Throwing up a cheap shed without the right permits can come back to bite you. If it’s built too close to the property line, not anchored correctly, or simply looks homemade, buyers won’t trust it. They’ll picture themselves dealing with code violations, repairs, or tearing it down completely.

A poorly built shed can make your whole property feel unkept, even if the rest of the yard is in good shape. Instead of boosting storage, it ends up raising red flags for inspectors and buyers, which can drag down your home’s value.

Permanent Play Structures

A small swing set is one thing, but a massive permanent play structure bolted into the yard is another. They weather quickly, require maintenance, and appeal to a very narrow group of buyers. If the new owners don’t have kids, it’s just a bulky project they’ll have to remove.

Buyers often factor in removal costs when they see these big structures. And if the wood is rotting or paint is peeling, it can make the whole yard look neglected. What feels like an investment for your family doesn’t always translate to resale value.

Elaborate Water Features

Fountains, koi ponds, or homemade waterfalls may seem like a great way to upgrade a yard, but they can quickly work against you when it’s time to sell. They require constant cleaning, pump replacements, and usually raise concerns about leaks or mosquito problems.

Many buyers don’t want the maintenance or water bills that come with these features. What’s meant to be peaceful and attractive can look like a money pit to someone else, leading them to lower their offer or skip your listing altogether.

Concrete Patios That Dominate the Yard

A patio can be a selling point, but only if it’s balanced with usable green space. When a yard is mostly covered in concrete, it feels harsh and less versatile. Families who want room for kids, pets, or gardens see a giant patio as wasted potential.

Large slabs can also crack over time, which immediately signals repair costs. Buyers often picture the price tag of demolition and replacement, which eats into what they’re willing to pay for the home. Instead of adding value, it can drive it down.

Old Hot Tubs

An outdated or poorly maintained hot tub is one of the quickest ways to turn buyers off. If the cover is cracked, the water looks questionable, or the jets don’t work, it screams “expensive repair ahead.” Even functioning hot tubs make some buyers worry about energy costs and leaks.

Since they’re hard to move, most buyers see them as part of the house — and a problem they’ll inherit. Instead of creating a “luxury” impression, an old hot tub often gets factored in as a removal cost, cutting into your home’s value.

Outdoor Kitchens That Don’t Age Well

An outdoor kitchen sounds high-end, but if it’s poorly built or aging badly, it hurts more than it helps. Rusted grills, cracked countertops, or non-functioning sinks make the space look worn-out. Buyers don’t want to inherit a project they didn’t ask for.

What starts as a fun upgrade can quickly become a liability when it isn’t maintained. Instead of adding to your home’s value, an outdoor kitchen that looks dated or cheap signals future expenses — something buyers are quick to subtract from their offers.

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