We had a similar experience when we put in custom blackout blinds. Thought they'd boost the appraisal a bit, but nope—just standard window treatments according to the appraiser. Yet every friend who crashes here swears it's the best sleep they've ever had. Guess appraisers stick strictly to their checklists...comfort and practicality don't always line up neatly with market value, unfortunately.
Had something similar happen a few years back when we built a deck extension. Thought we'd nailed it—premium hardwood, built-in seating, even splurged on some subtle lighting for evening hangouts. Friends and family loved it, said it was the best spot in the house. But when appraisal time rolled around, the appraiser barely blinked. To him, it was just "additional outdoor space," nothing special.
I learned pretty quickly that appraisers have their own rigid criteria and don't always see things through the homeowner's eyes. They're looking at comps, square footage, and standard features—not necessarily comfort or lifestyle upgrades. Doesn't mean those improvements aren't worth it though...sometimes you just gotta accept that certain things add value to your daily life more than they do to your home's market price.
I've run into this a few times with custom homes I've built. Had one client who went all out on a kitchen remodel—imported marble counters, hand-crafted cabinetry, the works. Looked amazing and was easily their favorite part of the home afterward. But when appraisal day came, the appraiser barely gave it more than standard kitchen upgrade value. It stung a bit, honestly.
"They're looking at comps, square footage, and standard features—not necessarily comfort or lifestyle upgrades."
Exactly this. Appraisers have checklists they follow, and sometimes the things that make our homes feel special just don't translate into numbers they can use. I've learned to gently remind clients that some upgrades are for their own enjoyment rather than purely for resale value. Doesn't mean they're not worthwhile—just means you might not recoup every dollar when it's appraisal time.
Been there myself—went all-in on a custom outdoor living space, complete with a stone fireplace and built-in grill. It became our go-to hangout, but the appraisal barely budged. Learned the hard way that appraisers just don't factor in emotional value or personal taste. Best advice I got afterward was to balance upgrades between what you love and what's practical for resale. After all, enjoying your home counts for something too...right?
Yeah, I get what you're saying, but honestly, I think sometimes we put too much stock into appraisals. Sure, they're important if you're refinancing or selling soon, but if you're planning to stay put for a while, why not splurge a bit on something you'll genuinely enjoy? My folks redid their kitchen—nothing fancy, just practical upgrades—and the appraisal barely moved either. Seems like appraisers mostly stick to square footage and comps anyway...so might as well enjoy your home while you're there.
