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When it comes to design choices that affect resale value a decade in the future, the examples are probably more like $10/$13 vs. $10/$12. Real estate agents an

When it comes to design choices that affect resale value a decade in the future, the examples are probably more like $10/$13 vs. $10/$12. Real estate agents and HGTV shows have distorted people's view on the importance of small details on resale value. I promise you that the choices the author made in designing their house will find an equally enthusiastic buyer if they do decide to sell. Of course there will be some potential buyers who have "no closets" as a deal breaker. But there will be others who fall in love with a unique house that exists literally nowhere else in the market. If you're going to limit your design choices to appease a potential buyer decades in the future, you might as well buy an existing house in the first place rather than striking out on your own build. The whole point of a custom home is to customize it to your liking.

FireBeyond 6y ago
> Real estate agents and HGTV shows have distorted people's view on the importance of small details on resale value. Yup. I have heard way too many times on those shows, "You spent $50K on renovations so that increased your value $100K", without any form of critical thought. Yes, improvements can have an intrinsic value, but these shows make it seem automatic and huge, without fail.
- sk5t 6y ago
  Most of the time, the HGTV spends are horrible investments even if the touted "new value" is correct. The margin after increase in closing costs--agent fees, title transfer tax, to say nothing of opportunity cost of the cash outlay--is often zero or negative.
  - FireBeyond 6y ago
    Yup. I think it's Flip or Flop, where you start to realize that many of their flips only really break even or are marginally profitable. They'll tout "We made $30K for 6 weeks work". But $15K of it has to go to our investor who fronts the cash (he would occasionally show up on episodes), and there's two of them... And then you remember that most of their income comes from the show itself. I remember drama around 16 And Pregnant, and glamorizing teenage pregnancy. Says MTV, "Oh no, we only cover costs, we don't pay them for this". Fell apart when one of the girls, living in her trailer, working minimum wage at McDonalds, started appearing on the show in a brand new Saleen Mustang.
- mindslight 6y ago
  IMO this is just basic consumerism couched in a simluation of industrious investing. If you're remodeling for higher resale value, then you're a flipper and should build accordingly - ie everything this post is lamenting. Otherwise, just be honest with yourself that you're spending money for your own personal enjoyment. Try selling a custom bicycle and you'll see how lovingly-picked components add up into a resale value, at a much lower price.

FireBeyond 6y ago

> Real estate agents and HGTV shows have distorted people's view on the importance of small details on resale value. Yup. I have heard way too many times on those shows, "You spent $50K on renovations so that increased your value $100K", without any form of critical thought. Yes, improvements can have an intrinsic value, but these shows make it seem automatic and huge, without fail.

sk5t 6y ago
Most of the time, the HGTV spends are horrible investments even if the touted "new value" is correct. The margin after increase in closing costs--agent fees, title transfer tax, to say nothing of opportunity cost of the cash outlay--is often zero or negative.
- FireBeyond 6y ago
  Yup. I think it's Flip or Flop, where you start to realize that many of their flips only really break even or are marginally profitable. They'll tout "We made $30K for 6 weeks work". But $15K of it has to go to our investor who fronts the cash (he would occasionally show up on episodes), and there's two of them... And then you remember that most of their income comes from the show itself. I remember drama around 16 And Pregnant, and glamorizing teenage pregnancy. Says MTV, "Oh no, we only cover costs, we don't pay them for this". Fell apart when one of the girls, living in her trailer, working minimum wage at McDonalds, started appearing on the show in a brand new Saleen Mustang.
mindslight 6y ago
IMO this is just basic consumerism couched in a simluation of industrious investing. If you're remodeling for higher resale value, then you're a flipper and should build accordingly - ie everything this post is lamenting. Otherwise, just be honest with yourself that you're spending money for your own personal enjoyment. Try selling a custom bicycle and you'll see how lovingly-picked components add up into a resale value, at a much lower price.