HomeBlogHome Selling4 Home Improvements That Hurt Resale Value in St. John, MO Share on Like what you see? Share with a friend. 4 Home Improvements That Hurt Resale Value in St. John, MO Chris Kirshenboim | October 3, 2020 Last updated August 10, 2026 Some upgrades pay for themselves and some quietly cost you twice, once to build and again at closing. Home improvements that hurt resale value in St. John usually share one trait: they solve a problem for you and create one for the person next door or the next owner. Regrading a yard so water leaves your lot and pools in your neighbor’s invites a drainage dispute that later shows up on the disclosure. A fence set even a foot over the line turns into a survey and a legal letter, and buyers walk away from unresolved boundary questions. A pool costs more to insure than most St. John buyers expect and narrows the group of families who want that yard at all. And the highly personal remodel, the converted garage or the bedroom turned into a studio, reads as lost function rather than added space to anyone who does not share the hobby. The worst home improvements for resale are not always the ugliest ones. They are the ones that reduce what the house can be used for. Before you build, ask what a buyer two owners from now inherits. If the work is already done and you would rather not unwind it, we buy houses as-is across St. Louis County, converted garage and all. If it helps to see the mechanics first, how we buy houses covers them, and what other sellers have said is the unfiltered version. We Buy Houses In St John, Missouri. Home improvements make your home a better, more pleasant place to live as well as adding to its value so you can have bigger chances of getting cash for houses in St John. Then, surely, home improvements must be a good thing, right? Generally speaking, yes. As local homebuyers in Missouri, we suggest doing home upgrades that could turn your neighbors into your enemies in St John, MO. 1. Fixing Drainage Problems In St John There's a big low spot in your backyard where during wet periods water stands, making your yard virtually unusable for long stretches and causing a health hazard when the mosquitoes move in. And you've finally decided to do something about it. The problem is, though, that the water has to go somewhere. If that water then drains into your neighbor's yard, making it soggy and messy, get ready for problems. If your neighbor raises a big stink and wants to take legal action, you do have recourse to the"reasonableness rule." This rule holds that if a neighbor sues, he will have to provide proof that you did something"unreasonable" in altering your property to cause harm to his property. 2. Planting Ornamental Trees In St John, Missouri We all want to make our mark on our property, imposing just a little of our own personality on it. And that basic human desire often expresses itself in the form of landscaping, sometimes in the specific form of ornamental trees. But certain trees turn out to be one of the home improvements that could turn your neighbors into your enemies in St John, MO. Take Bradford pears, for instance. Sure, they are absolutely gorgeous when in bloom. But despite the beautiful blooms, these trees exude an offensively overpowering, pungent, "masculine" smell during bloom time. In addition, these trees are notorious for shedding brittle branches all over the place, even into neighbors yards.Planting ornamental trees may seem like a good idea, but it can have some major neighbor-related drawbacks. 3. Adding A Room In St John, MO You've been living relatively frugally for a few years, and you've squirreled away enough money to add to a guest room. Now you've had the plans drawn up, and you've engaged a contractor. Just be aware that you may have problems with your neighbors. They will be annoyed that they are now living next door to a job site with all the inevitable mess and noise. There will be trucks from the lumber yard making deliveries, the whine and growl of power tools, workers shouting, and the staccato noise of hammers and nail guns. It's all necessary, but likely seen as a nerve-wracking annoyance by your neighbors. They may also be upset when the job is completed, that their favorite view is now obstructed by your new room. This may not always be the case, but just sayin'. 4. Installing A Pool In Missouri Or maybe you've been able to put back enough money to finally get that in-ground swimming pool you've always dreamed of. You know, the big one with the diving board, changing house, and wet bar. Then get ready for the envy and complaints. It all starts with just a slight case of envy, which soon turns into resentment because your neighbors don't have their own pool and because they can't use your pool anytime and every time they want to. The resentment then turns into antagonistic anger whenever your neighbors have to listen to the sounds (sometimes pretty loud) of laughter and music and tinkling glasses when you have your night-time pool parties. It can't be helped, though. It's just human nature. Sell My House In St John, MO While it is true there are home improvements that could turn your neighbors into your enemies in St John, MO, you shouldn't let that put you off your dreams and plans to quickly sell your house in St. Louis. Using the right approach, you can move forward with your home-improvement plans without creating any "neighbor issues." If you’d like to sell quickly and spend less time and effort and money on these improvements, why not sell it directly to local professional Missouri home buyers such as Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis. We purchase properties and we’ll give you a fair all-cash offer to purchase right away. Want To Sell Your Home Quickly For Cash In St John, MO? We Can Help. Send Us A Message Or Contact Us At (314) 334-1481 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Does a swimming pool add value in St. John? + Rarely enough to cover its cost. In this market a pool narrows the buyer pool and raises insurance, so it is best treated as something you build for yourself. Can a fence on the property line cause a sale to fall through? + It can. An encroaching fence is a title and survey issue, and buyers commonly pause a closing until the boundary is resolved or the fence is moved. Is converting a garage a bad idea before selling? + Usually. Buyers in St. Louis County expect covered parking and storage, so a converted garage often reads as a bedroom that cost you a garage.
