Many homeowners often treat home improvement as a guaranteed investment.

The logic seems simple: if you spend $10,000 on a renovation, the home should be worth at least $10,000 more. Unfortunately, the real estate market does not always reward personal taste. Some projects, no matter how much you enjoy them, can actually alienate buyers and force you to lower your asking price.

To protect your equity, avoid these three poor-ROI projects and consider their more market-friendly alternatives.

The permanent specialized room conversion

Many homeowners may opt to transform a spare bedroom into a highly specialized space, such as a permanent home theater with tiered seating, an office with built-in furniture, or a professional-grade home gym. While these rooms serve your specific lifestyle, they strip the home of its most valuable asset: flexibility. When you remove a closet or bolt heavy equipment to the floor, for instance, you effectively remove a bedroom from your listing. Most buyers want the maximum number of bedrooms possible to accommodate growing families or guests.

The alternative

Buyers want the freedom to decide how they will utilize a room. So create a “flex space” instead, using freestanding furniture and removable equipment to serve your needs. In a home office, for example, install a modular desk system rather than permanent, wall-to-wall built-ins. This allows you to enjoy the space today while easily staging it as a standard bedroom when you decide to sell.

High-maintenance luxury additions

In the right climate, a swimming pool is a luxury. In other regions, it can be a liability. Unless you live in a region where nearly every neighbor has one, an in-ground feature can actually shrink your pool of buyers. Many shoppers see a pool and immediately think of high utility bills, expensive insurance premiums, and the constant chore of chemical balancing. Furthermore, families with small children may view this as a significant safety hazard rather than an amenity.

The alternative

Invest in high-end hardscaping. A professionally designed stone patio with a built-in fire pit or an outdoor kitchen provides the same outdoor oasis feel without the massive maintenance burden. These features offer a much higher return on investment and can appeal to almost every demographic.

Overly bold or quirky customizations

It is tempting to let your personality shine through permanent fixtures, like a vibrant Moroccan tile backsplash in the kitchen or highly textured, Tuscan-style plaster on the walls. However, “quirky” often translates to “too much work” for a potential buyer. Most people want a blank canvas. If a buyer walks into a room and immediately calculates the cost of sanding down walls or ripping out tile, they may lower their offer to compensate for the perceived labor.

The alternative

Keep the permanent elements neutral and use swappable accents for personality. Stick to classic white or gray subway tiles and neutral paint. Then add your flair with designer light fixtures, unique cabinet hardware, or statement rugs. These items may catch a buyer’s eye but are easily changed if they do not match the new owner’s style.

Before you start your next renovation, ask yourself: am I doing this for my enjoyment or for the next owner? Balancing your personal joy with market reality is the key to a profitable property. For more information on optimizing your home equity and resale value, appealing to buyers, and more, speak with a real estate agent.