Let's Talk About the Top 3 Los Angeles Home Improvements That Don't Pay for Themselves
Los Angeles homeowners love to improve their properties, and it’s easy to see why. With our sunny climate, outdoor lifestyle, and competitive real estate market, making your home stand out feels like a smart investment. But not all upgrades are created equal. Some improvements bring great personal enjoyment, yet rarely (if ever) pay for themselves when it’s time to sell.
Here are three of the biggest culprits in Los Angeles — plus a bonus category that every homeowner should think twice about before committing.
1. Swimming Pools (Especially Indoor Pools)
A backyard pool seems like the ultimate Los Angeles luxury. After all, with year-round sunshine and warm weather, the idea of stepping outside into your own private resort is appealing. For families, a pool can provide endless hours of entertainment, exercise, and outdoor living.
But when it comes to resale value, a pool is almost always a losing bet. The cost of installation typically ranges from $60,000 to well over $150,000, and that doesn’t include the ongoing expenses of cleaning, heating, chemicals, increased insurance premiums, and higher water and energy bills. While some buyers love the idea of a pool, many see it as a safety hazard, a liability, or simply too much upkeep.
An indoor pool is an even bigger financial misstep. Indoor pools eat up valuable square footage, introduce long-term humidity and ventilation issues, and make spaces feel dated. Most buyers don’t see an indoor pool as a bonus feature — they see it as a costly problem they’ll need to fix.
Bottom line: If you want a pool, build it for your own enjoyment, not as an investment strategy.
2. Greenhouses
With Southern California’s Mediterranean climate, you don’t need a greenhouse to grow fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Outdoor gardens thrive in LA year-round. Building a greenhouse often means taking up valuable backyard space, paying for construction and maintenance, and limiting the yard’s versatility.
Most buyers would rather have a flexible outdoor space — whether that’s a dining area, lawn for kids and pets, or simply room to design their own vision. Unless you’re a dedicated gardener who will truly use it, a greenhouse is unlikely to return much value at resale.
3. Dedicated Home Theaters
Living in the entertainment capital of the world, it’s no surprise that many LA homeowners dream of a private screening room. A dedicated theater, complete with stadium seating, surround sound, and blackout curtains, can be a fun luxury — but rarely a wise investment.
The issue comes down to two factors: technology and flexibility. Home theater tech changes fast, so what looks cutting-edge today will look outdated in just a few years. More importantly, a theater locks one room into a single use. Most buyers prefer flexible layouts they can adapt into a home office, gym, or extra bedroom.
In short: If you’re building a home theater, do it for your enjoyment — not with resale value in mind.
Bonus: Overly Specialized, Single-Purpose Spaces
From wine cellars and built-in aquariums to yoga studios, themed children’s rooms, and recording booths, any highly specialized space tends to appeal to a very narrow group of buyers. What feels like a dream setup for you may feel like an expensive renovation project to the next homeowner.
In Los Angeles, where versatility and adaptability in a home are prized, these single-purpose spaces usually don’t translate into higher sale prices. A flexible bonus room or open area almost always adds more value than a space locked into one function.
The Takeaway
If you’re upgrading your Los Angeles home, remember that the projects that deliver the most enjoyment aren’t always the ones that deliver the best return. Pools, greenhouses, home theaters, and overly specialized rooms can be wonderful for personal use, but they rarely pay for themselves financially.
If resale value is your goal, focus on updates with broad appeal: fresh paint, modernized kitchens and bathrooms, energy-efficient windows, landscaping, and improved curb appeal. These improvements typically give you the best mix of enjoyment and return on investment.
Thinking of Selling Your LA Home?
As a local real estate professional with 25 years of experience helping Los Angeles homeowners buy and sell, I can guide you on which upgrades will actually pay off in today’s market. Before starting any major project, let’s talk strategy so you can invest wisely and position your home for success.
👉 Contact me today for a consultation.
