Homeowners often ask whether adding a deck or making a major aesthetic upgrade will actually increase resale value. The honest answer is one most people don’t love to hear: It depends. Real estate is subjective and, while certain improvements can make a home more appealing, not all renovations translate neatly into higher sale prices.
Take the example of adding a deck that requires removing a wall and installing French doors from a bedroom. On paper, it sounds like an upgrade. In practice, it raises important questions. Does removing that wall reduce usable interior space? Does it limit furniture placement or shrink the functional footprint of the bedroom? Buyers don’t just look at square footage; they evaluate how a space lives. A beautiful deck loses some of its shine if the trade-off is a bedroom that suddenly feels awkward or compromised.
Another factor is whether the change enhances something buyers value, such as a view or indoor-outdoor flow. If the deck opens to a scenic setting and creates a strong visual connection to the outdoors, it may improve overall appeal. If it simply adds exterior space without a compelling reason, the perceived benefit can be more personal than market-driven.
Generally speaking, projects like decks, French doors, and aesthetic renovations do not return a dollar-for-dollar increase in resale value. They tend to fall into the category of lifestyle improvements rather than financial ones. That doesn’t mean they’re a bad idea; it just means expectations should be realistic. These upgrades can help a home show better, feel more inviting and stand out emotionally, but they rarely move the needle enough to fully recoup the cost.
This is where motivation matters. If your first instinct when planning a renovation is to imagine how you’ll live in the space – how it will improve your day-to-day enjoyment – then you’re thinking about it the right way. Homes are meant to be lived in, not treated solely as future listings. Improvements that make you love your home more often deliver value that can’t be measured strictly in resale dollars.
If future resale is on your mind, changes like this generally won’t hurt you, assuming they’re done well and don’t compromise functionality. They just may not reward you financially beyond what you invest. The market typically values good condition, sensible layouts and livability more than high-end aesthetic choices that appeal to a narrower audience.
The takeaway is simple: If you want the deck, build the deck. Just don’t do it expecting a guaranteed payoff. The best renovations are the ones that make your home feel right for you – anything beyond that is a bonus, not a promise.
Theresa Grant is a real estate broker and columnist covering Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs, and the surrounding mountain communities. Reach her at (909) 442-1345 visit www.HomesInLakeArrowhead.com, and follow her on social media @TheresaGrantRealtor. Theresa is a Broker Associate with REAL Broker Technologies. DRE#01202881.
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