https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 08:19:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926845 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:03:36 +0000 honeybear 926845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I can't wait to put white subway tile in (the kitchen I don't own yet...)! Good move. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926772 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:42:43 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 926772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I'll be back home on Saturday and snoop around a bit for you and post on your wall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926744 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:35:13 +0000 Shutterbug 926744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, we did #1, #2, and #5, and #4 is in the works for this fall, so I agree with this list, haha! DH always says how a pool devalues your house (up here in the northeast) but I agree with @littlek: that there are some areas where it's expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926709 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:26:25 +0000 littlek 926709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a pool might be a huge plus depending on where you live. For example, almost everyone wants a pool in FL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926679 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:19:32 +0000 yoursilverlining 926679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with almost all of them. Kitchens, bathrooms and no carpeting (or, minimal carpeting) were at the top of our list. I also agree with the "green" upgrades; I would be willing to pay more for a home with alternative energy sources as it's going to decrease my utility bills over time (and I'll come out ahead by spending a little more upfront, if I plan to stay in the house for a long time). Double pane windows are definitely something we looked for, again because 1) windows are expensive! and 2) double panes save $$$!</p> <p>A pool and built-in speakers are "no's" on my list, but we live in northern new england, so an outdoor pool (heated or not) isn't very useful or common. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926659 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:17:25 +0000 mrskc 926659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with #1, #2, #3. #3 wasn't just install solar panels it could be anything like ceiling fans, double paned windows and I think those kinds of things are pluses. I don't think a sprinkler system is a deal breaker and I would be turned off by a house with built in speakers b/c I feel like that kind of thing gets dated too quickly. </p> <p>I agree with the don'ts except for the lighting one. If you buy an expensive fixture then just take it down before you sell and keep it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926640 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:12:42 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 926640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the first four do's. I would love solar panels - out here they would definitely be helpful. I don't agree with the speakers. That's a little weird to me.</p> <p>I guess I pretty much agree with the don'ts. A pool here is completely hit or miss. But we have a pool already, so if/when we sell, we'll see whether it helps or hinders. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926583 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:00:53 +0000 looch 926583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: do you know anything about the manufacturer of the panels? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926575 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:59:01 +0000 2PeasinaPod 926575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I also don't agree with the built in sprinkler system and the built in speakers. I'm not a fan of either.</p> <p>I really do agree with most of the don'ts. A pool was an automatic no when we were looking for houses. I like the idea of a pool, but I don't want to take care of it, and I could never live with myself if a neighborhood child slipped into the gate and had an accident in it. </p> <p>The light fixture I could see as well b/c it makes a very small space look smaller. A person who couldn't see past that might not want the work of replacing it (even though it's a simple fix). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926557 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:55:43 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 926557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I wish I knew the costs, but we didn't install it. The previous owner resurfaced the pool, installed a saltwater system, and installed solar panels. The saltwater system is busted right now, but my pool water is always lukewarm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926539 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:49:18 +0000 looch 926539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: tell me more about the solar panels to heat the pool!</p> <p>Our heater is busted and we don't think we need to replace it with another gas unit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926535 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:47:59 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 926535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with all of them. We have a 4 bedroom, one has office furniture in it. When my aunt who lives in a 3 bedroom came over to visit she said we would have to move when we have kids. She really couldn't see pass my home office as a bedroom.</p> <p>Energy costs are so high these days that anything you do to make your house more efficient or green is good. We have window tinting throughout our home and will play up that feature when wen we sell. The solar panels to heat up the pool was definitely a plus when we were buying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926520 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:41:57 +0000 loveisstrange 926520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: I agree with the default "ss and granite". We own a 1940s bungalow and a modern kitchen would look really strange in the house. I think as long as a kitchen is "updated", in good shape and looks nice, we're in business.</p> <p>We're keeping the original cabinets and white subway tiling for ours. :) Just de-pinking it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926511 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:39:49 +0000 Chillybear 926511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont think in tip three they are referring to just solar panels... I would definitely see added value if there was a high efficiency heating/cooling system, tankless hot water heater, new windows, or high efficiency appliances esp in an older home. </p> <p>I think having a sound system is a dated tip, and unless you have a well manicured lawn a sprinkler system wouldnt be on my wishlist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926451 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:21:17 +0000 honeybear 926451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't totally agree with their pool "don't." A pool is pretty important in my area, but recouping the full cost isn't likely, so a lot of people seem to think that a tiny pool is fine. (Umm, no. I want to be able to swim in it if I have to maintain it!) </p> <p>As to their "do" list, I don't care for SS appliances or granite, personally. Almost none of the kitchen renovations I've seen have raised the value of the house in my view, but that's mostly because there isn't any coherence between the style of the houses around here and the kitchen designs that are currently popular. Also, I would not view a built-in speaker system favorably. That would just be one more thing I'd have to rip out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926446 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:19:36 +0000 loveisstrange 926446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't agree with sprinkler systems or built-in speakers. I think there are better ways to invest money in your home than that. Seems like a negligible thing to be a "do".</p> <p>The other ones, yeah, I generally agree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926429 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:14:08 +0000 Reese 926429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with most of them. </p> <p>I dont agree with the garage one. Having a nice garage is a big plus for us. I like where it can still be used as a garage (not a playroom..etc..) but having it nice, drywalled and with some great built ins is a huge bonus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926426 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:12:33 +0000 JerricaBenton 926426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't get the light fixture one. I mean, even if you spend $3000 on a light fixture, it's because you love it and it's part of the look of your dining room. If you love it that much, you'll either take it with you when you move, or you'll leave it and the new owners can replace it with a $100 Home Depot version if they prefer. Seems like a pretty small issue to be a 'don't.' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926406 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:07:37 +0000 looch 926406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the kind of house you buy and if the location supports the upgrades.</p> <p>If you put a lot of money into your house, you risk being the nicest house on the block. Which is nice, until you're trying to sell and recoup your costs and no one wants to pay you the amount you want because the neighboring houses are smaller/dumpier/whatever. We saw house after house like this and I am sure it is no surprise to the owners why their houses are still on the market! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-reno-dos-and-donts-do-you-agree#post-926394 Fri, 12 Jul 2013 10:03:52 +0000 regberadaisy 926394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2013/07/5-renos-that-up-your-homes-value-and-5-that-dont/" rel="nofollow">http://www.learnvest.com/2013/07/5-renos-that-up-your-homes-value-and-5-that-dont/</a></p> <p>What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?</p> <p>I absolutely agree with #1 and #2 of the Do's. I understand their argument for #3 but I just don't see a average buyer willing to spend that much more on a home that has say solar panels to make it worth while.</p> <p>Def agree with all their don'ts! </p>