That's a solid point. I've seen similar things happen—once renovated a kitchen with high-end appliances, thinking it was just for our own enjoyment. Ended up being the main selling point when we listed the property. But yeah, timing and local market preferences definitely play a big role. Sometimes those "splurges" turn out smarter than we expect...other times, not so much. It's always a bit of a gamble, isn't it?
We had a similar experience when refinancing—decided to redo our master bath thinking it'd just make mornings nicer. Turns out, the appraiser specifically noted it boosted our home's value quite a bit. Didn't expect that at all...guess sometimes these personal upgrades pay off unexpectedly.
Interesting to hear a bath upgrade actually paid off. Usually, appraisers I've dealt with don't seem overly impressed by cosmetic stuff unless it's really high-end or fixes something seriously outdated. Last time we refinanced, I asked about our kitchen reno—granite counters, new appliances, the works—and the guy barely blinked. Said neighborhood comps mattered way more than interior upgrades. Guess it depends a lot on your local market and what buyers are specifically looking for...
Makes me wonder though, have any of you found certain upgrades that reliably boost appraisal value, or is it always just luck of the draw?
From my experience, it's definitely a mixed bag. You're right that appraisers tend to rely heavily on neighborhood comps, but I've noticed certain upgrades do consistently help—especially if they're structural or efficiency-related. For example, swapping out old windows for energy-efficient ones or upgrading your HVAC system seems to reliably boost appraisal value. Buyers (and appraisers) seem to appreciate the practical stuff more than aesthetic upgrades, oddly enough.
Funny story though—recently had a client who spent a fortune on landscaping, thinking it'd be a huge plus. I'm talking custom stone walkways, mature trees, the whole nine yards. The appraiser barely gave it a nod. But then another client replaced their roof—not even a fancy one, just standard architectural shingles—and that made a noticeable difference in their appraisal. Go figure, right?
I think the key is really knowing what's typical or desirable in your local market. If you're in an area where everyone expects granite counters and stainless steel appliances, those upgrades might not give you much of an edge. But if your home is in a neighborhood where that's not the norm yet, you might see a decent bump from making those updates.
So yeah...it's not exactly luck of the draw, but it does feel like there's a bit of randomness sometimes. Curious if anyone else has seen something similar?
Yeah, I've noticed something similar. Had a client recently who went all-in on a fancy kitchen remodel—high-end appliances, marble countertops, the works—and the appraisal barely budged. Meanwhile, another homeowner just insulated their attic and replaced some drafty doors, and that seemed to impress the appraiser way more. Definitely feels random sometimes...or maybe appraisers just secretly love boring upgrades, haha.
