Frequently homeowners are at a loss as to which home improvements will move their properties quickly and for the best prices. While much information is often provided on the subject, there is often little guidance given on those home improvements that should actually be avoided when trying to sell your home.

Ideally, it is best to avoid those home renovations which will cost you money when it comes time to sell your home rather than net you a profit.

One of the worst mistakes homeowners can make when it comes to renovating their properties is over-expanding. Unless you plan to remain in a property for a long period of time, it is best avoid continue making additions to your property. Homes with numerous additions quickly become conspicuously larger and more expensive than other homes in the neighborhood. The final result is that these homes are more difficult to sell. Generally, additions on homes fail to return their investment. On a national average, homeowners are only able to recoup about 85% of the cost of a family room addition and even less on master suites.

It’s also important to avoid trying to turn your home into something it simply is not. This includes making major changes to the general architecture of the home. Always be sure that any renovations you make to the home match the architecture that is already present. Obviously inconsistent changes will definitely limit the number of buyers interested in your home when it comes time to sell.

Avoid changing the function of a room as well. This is always risky when it comes time to sell later on. Rooms are typically built a certain way for a reason and should be kept that way. Kitchens should remain as kitchens; bathrooms as bathrooms, etc. Changing basic items in your home really means that you are customizing it for yourself. While that may be fine when you are living there, those changes won’t hold a broad appeal for buyers.

You might want to re-consider building that home office as well. Despite the number of people who work at home, national trends indicate that rewiring and setting up a room to be a home office really only returns about 70% of the cost.

Should you handle home improvements on your own or bring in professionals? It’s definitely wise to know when you should do-it-yourself and when you shouldn’t. If you’re thinking of handling a home improvement project on your own, be absolutely confident in your ability to take it on. If you aren’t 100% sure you can handle it capably, don’t. Sloppy amateur work can cost you at resell time.

Far too frequently home owners underestimate how much home renovation projects will costs. Expenses rise, they fail to include certain expenses and before they know the cost of a project has far exceeded their budget. The result? Projects never get completed. This can be a major turn off for buyers later on. To avoid this problem, make sure you add a cushion of at least 20%, both in time and money, to your renovation projects.

If you plan to remodel for resale, avoid those home renovations that simply won’t pay off. Work first on those projects that are going to provide you with the highest rate of return. Those four areas are siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms. While these areas may not be exciting, studies indicate they pay off the highest in terms of recouping value at resale. A mid-range bathroom renovation, for example, will payoff with an average 102% return on investment. Avoid going overboard, though. Upscale bathroom renovations typically only recoup 93% of their cost.

Perhaps the most important home improvement you can make is to provide proper maintenance and upkeep to your home. Make it a routine matter to clean your gutters on an annual basis, protecting the exterior of your home from water damage. Take the time to trim shrubs and keep your lawn neatly manicured. Check for termites every two to three years. When the time comes to sell your home, annual maintenance will provide a handsome payback.

Before you actually put the home on the market, spruce things up with a fresh coat of paint. Even if your home is in good condition, this can give it a fresh, clean appearance that is appealing to many buyers.

Finally, consider investing in a home inspection before the home goes on the market and then remedy any problem areas that are discovered. The cost of the home inspection is relatively little and you can use it as a selling point when you list your home.