Zillow Advice: Decorating & Design - Does a bedroom Built-in for TV and drawer for cloths help or hurt value?

From an appraisal standpoint ...

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:43:00 GMT

From an appraisal standpoint built-ins, especially new ones that look well built, will add value as they are "improvements". From a selling standpoint it all comes down to the buyer and their likes.

Plenty of room for other ...

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:34:00 GMT

Plenty of room for other furniture, the room is 400 sqft, and not moving anytime soon. I might just make it sectionals so I can take it with me. it would be easier to make it permanent.

Thanks

Are you planning on selling ...

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:06:00 GMT

Are you planning on selling soon? If so, don't do it. You won't get your money back and it may hurt. If you aren't planning to sell soon, then do it so you can enjoy it. If you are concerned about resale do it so it doesn't make a major impact on the flexibility of arranging the room.

That would depend on two ...

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:02:00 GMT

That would depend on two things.

1. Will installation of the built-in decrease the options for how the room is arranged?

Is there really only one use for the wall where you will put the built-in? If "no", then you're cutting down on the possible configurations for the room when you go to sell - and this may narrow down the number of people who get to the "seriously interested" stage.

2. Will the style/quality of the built-in match the rest of the finish carpentry in the house?

If the answer to #1 is "no", then the follow-on is to assess if the built-in will blend in well with the existing finish carpenty - or is it going to stick out (either better than or worse than) and make potential buyer's go "huh?".