Walk into almost any model home and it’s easy to start imagining the upgrades. The oversized soaking tub, upgraded cabinetry, decorative fireplace, custom built-ins—it all looks beautiful in the moment.
But beautiful doesn’t always mean valuable.
Recently, while showing homes to buyers, I walked into a property that had clearly received a lot of attention—and a lot of money. The problem was that it had been over-improved and highly personalized. Instead of impressing my buyers, all those upgrades had the opposite effect. Their reaction was almost immediate: this house wasn’t for them.
It was a great reminder that every dollar you spend on your home does not automatically increase its value.
Whether you’re remodeling an existing Sarasota home or sitting in a builder’s design center choosing upgrades for new construction, it’s important to separate the features that truly improve your home from those that simply increase the price tag.
Here are several upgrades I would think twice about—and the one upgrade I believe is absolutely worth the investment.
The Oversized Soaking Tub
This one may be controversial because oversized freestanding tubs have become a staple in luxury primary bathrooms. They photograph beautifully and can certainly create a dramatic focal point.
But how often are they actually used?
For many homeowners, the answer is rarely—or never. Meanwhile, these large tubs take up a significant amount of valuable bathroom space that could potentially be used for additional storage, a larger shower or another functional feature.
There are exceptions. A soaking tub incorporated into a beautifully designed wet room or oversized shower area can feel much more intentional and private. But if you’re choosing between spending thousands on a freestanding tub simply because it looks impressive or putting that money toward something you’ll use every day, I would seriously consider skipping the tub.
You Probably Don’t Need the Most Expensive Cabinets
Kitchen cabinetry is another area where homeowners can quickly spend thousands of additional dollars without seeing the same increase in functionality or resale value.
Whether you’re building from scratch or remodeling, you’ll usually have several cabinet levels and finishes available. In many cases, a good mid-tier cabinet provides everything most homeowners and future buyers actually care about: an attractive appearance, quality construction, functional storage and soft-close doors and drawers.
Once you start moving into the highest cabinet tiers, you may be paying significantly more for relatively small differences that the average buyer may never notice.
There are exceptions, particularly when you’re designing a multimillion-dollar luxury property where buyers expect premium finishes throughout. But for many homes, choosing a high-quality mid-range cabinet and putting the remaining budget elsewhere can make much more financial sense.
The same principle applies to bathroom vanities and laundry-room cabinetry. You don’t necessarily need the most expensive option simply because the builder offers it.
Pot Fillers: Pretty, But Are They Practical?
Pot fillers have become another popular kitchen upgrade. Installed over the stove, they certainly give a kitchen that high-end, chef-inspired look.
But consider how you’ll actually use one.
Unless you frequently cook large pots of pasta or spend a significant amount of time cooking, the convenience may not justify the cost of adding another water line. And remember: while a pot filler saves you from carrying a full pot of water to the stove, you still have to carry that pot back to the sink when you’re finished.
It’s a perfect example of an upgrade that can look luxurious without necessarily adding much everyday functionality.
Do You Really Need a Fireplace in Florida?
I love fireplaces. In colder climates, they’re beautiful and functional. But here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the equation changes.
In most Sarasota-area homes, a fireplace is primarily decorative. You’re probably not relying on it to heat your home during long winter nights, which means you’re investing in a design feature largely for its appearance.
The other consideration is how quickly fireplace designs can date a room. Today’s trendy fireplace wall may feel very different five or seven years from now. Depending on the layout, homeowners may eventually wish they had used that wall for cabinetry, storage or a more flexible living-room design.
If you love the ambiance, that’s different. Your home should still contain features that make you happy. But from a purely financial and resale perspective, I wouldn’t automatically consider an indoor fireplace a must-have Florida upgrade.
An outdoor fire pit, on the other hand? That’s a Florida feature I can absolutely get behind.
It’s Time to Leave Barn Doors Behind
There was a time when sliding barn doors seemed to appear in practically every new renovation.
That time has passed.
I still occasionally see homeowners removing traditional doors and replacing them with barn doors over offices, laundry rooms and other spaces. While they can certainly fit a particular aesthetic, they’re a highly specific design choice—and one that can immediately make a renovation feel tied to a previous trend.
When you’re spending money on permanent or semi-permanent improvements, think beyond what looks trendy today. Ask yourself whether the feature is likely to appeal to future buyers several years from now.
If the answer is questionable, that may be an upgrade worth skipping.
Building a New Home? Don’t Upgrade Everything Through the Builder
If you’re building a production home in Florida, the design center can be dangerous for your budget.
It’s easy to start adding upgrades because everything feels convenient when it’s rolled into the construction process. But there are several projects that may make more sense to complete after closing.
Consider Designing the Laundry Room Later
Rather than having your builder install a standard wall of cabinets, consider waiting until you’ve lived in—or at least fully planned—the space.
A custom laundry room designed after closing could incorporate a hanging bar, broom closet, stacked washer and dryer, additional shelving or other storage designed specifically around your needs.
Once builder cabinetry is installed, you may actually have fewer options for creating the laundry room you really want.
Shop Around for Water Filtration and Security Systems
Whole-house water filtration and home security systems are other upgrades homeowners may be offered during the building process.
Before automatically saying yes, compare your options.
These are improvements that can typically be installed after closing, which gives you the opportunity to research companies, compare prices and select a system based on your actual needs rather than simply accepting the builder’s package.
Convenience is valuable—but make sure you aren’t paying a significant premium for it.
Be Careful With Permanent Built-Ins
Built-in niches, entertainment centers, shelving and decorative wall features can look fantastic when they’re designed around today’s furniture and technology.
The problem is that homes often last much longer than the technology they’re designed around.
Think about homes built 20 or 25 years ago with television niches specifically sized for the TVs of that era. Today’s televisions are dramatically larger and thinner, leaving homeowners with built-ins that no longer function the way they were intended.
Technology will continue to change, and so will interior-design trends.
That’s why flexibility matters.
Homes that can be easily modified tend to age better than homes designed around highly specific features. You can absolutely add personality after closing, but whenever possible, consider improvements that can also be changed or removed without requiring a major renovation.
This is especially important when you’re building a production home. You want the house to feel like yours without making it so specific that a future buyer struggles to envision making it theirs.
The Upgrade That Is Worth the Money: Consistent Flooring
After talking about where not to spend your money, there is one place where I believe it’s worth investing: your floors.
If possible, install consistent flooring throughout the home from the beginning.
Many builders include hard-surface flooring throughout the main living areas while putting carpet in bedrooms, dens or closets. It may save money initially, but eventually that carpet will need to be replaced.
That’s when homeowners discover the problem.
Trying to match flooring five or seven years later can be incredibly difficult. Even if you find the same manufacturer and style, dye lots, finishes and product lines change. The result can be a home with several slightly different floors transitioning from room to room.
Buyers notice that.
Continuous flooring creates a cohesive appearance, makes rooms flow together and eliminates one of those subtle visual distractions that can make a buyer feel like a home needs additional work.
Flooring isn’t inexpensive, but this is one area where saving a little money during construction can create a much bigger headache later.
If you’re deciding where to allocate your upgrade budget, consistent flooring throughout the home would be near the top of my list.
Think About Tomorrow Before You Upgrade Today
Your home should reflect your personality, and not every decision needs to be made strictly around resale value. If you’ve always dreamed of having a soaking tub or you absolutely love sitting beside a fireplace, there’s nothing wrong with choosing those features for yourself.
The key is understanding the difference between spending money because you personally value something and spending money because you expect it to increase your home’s value.
Those aren’t always the same thing.
The most timeless homes tend to balance personality with flexibility. They prioritize functional layouts, cohesive finishes and improvements that can adapt as lifestyles, technology and design preferences change.
And if you’re building, buying, remodeling or preparing a home for resale in Sarasota or along Florida’s Gulf Coast, it can be helpful to talk through those decisions before spending thousands of dollars on upgrades you may never get back.
Have questions about which home or builder upgrades are actually worth the investment? Contact Lisa McBride and the Sarasota Neighborhood Experts. We’re always happy to help you make smart real estate decisions and find the right home along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
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