12 home renovations you’re likely to regret later

Demolishing an unattached garage or small one-car garage in the back of your small city lot for more green space may seem like a no-brainer, especially if you’re not using it for your car. But where will you store the extras like patio furniture, bikes and garden tools? How much green space will you gain if you have to build a shed to house all that stuff? And for resale value? “Buyers who are car fanatics and don’t want a car outside in bad weather typically will not look at a home without a garage,” says Graboyes.

Not a lover of the open flame? Or maybe you want to hide an old fireplace that isn’t being used to create more wall space. If you plaster over the fireplace be aware that a fireplace is one of the top ten must-haves for home buyers, especially in regions where cold winters and power outages are common. “If the fireplace is plastered over, the fireplace becomes a detriment to the sale of the home. Many home buyers who do purchase homes with a covered fireplace typically remove the plaster to expose an old brick fireplace. Brick fireplaces give a home added character, even when re-painted a modern grey or white,” says Graboyes.

You love the vibrant colours of the leaves but raking them, not so much. Before you call a tree lopper, consider what you will miss by chopping it down. “Air under tree canopies can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding air. It can help keep your home’s interior cool, and your neighbours as well,” says Cassy Aoyagi, president, FormLA Landscaping. “The loss of an established tree can decrease not only your home value but that of your neighbours.” There is one caveat: trees with large, dead limbs that pose a risk to your home should be removed; have a professional arborist weigh in.

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Source: RD.com