Worst:
1. Ventless Fireplace – “We added one to our bedroom so that we could enjoy the fire without the mess. Don’t waste your time. We can’t turn it on for more than a few minutes because it heats the room up so quickly. If you want it for heat, go for it. If you want the ambiance, like we did, pass.”
2. Cheap Patio Furniture – “It works only when youre not using it. Honestly, after a year, there are several pieces that we already need to replace. The cheap umbrella was the first to go and lasted until the first strong wind.”
3. Swimming Pools – (I’m not sure I buy into this one but I also don’t have a pool, wish I had a pool, and still want my own swimming pool. I would love, on a hot, sunny day, walk out of my back porch and jump into a pool. But for now, I have to live vicariously.) "A pool, especially an in-ground pool, was a waste of money. If you live in a climate that only has one or two months of hot weather, there's no point.”
4. Hot Tubs – “We added the hot tub and it wasn’t free and then it broke down and that was even more expensive. I think if we had a space that was more dedicated to the hot tub, and closer to a bathroom it would work out better. When it broke, we didn’t think it was worth fixing.”
5. At Home Gym – “My wife and I aren’t dedicated to exercising all the time. You might have a different experience if you were. We had a spare room once our kids moved out and we decided it would be a good idea to make it into our ‘fitnsess center’. We bought some cardio equipment and a couple weights. Let me warn you – they are not cheap and they are cardio equipment is extremely heavy. We thought we would be able to save time and if the equipment was in our house, we would use it more frequently. That just never happened and the room and equipment no gather dust.”
6. Jetted Tubs – “I added a jetted tub to my house and I’m a plumber. I’d say we used it 2x per year. I’ve also removed plenty of these from homes that hired me.”
Best:
1. Windows – “We upgraded our windows, and I can’t tell you the difference it makes for climate control and for energy savings. I can hear either the heat or the A/C come on and it runs for a minute and then shuts down. Before our new windows, those units would be running full time. Plus, I can’t feel a draft making its way through the new windows.”
2. Privacy Fence – We can let the dogs roam free now. I like taking my dog for a walk but he loves running around the yard. I didn’t realize how much he wanted to play catch non-stop.
3. Stamped Concrete – “We received quotes for stamped concrete vs pavers. We were able to save a fortune by using stamped concrete and it because they offered many colors, we were able to get the look that we wanted.”
4. Solar Panels – “We had to pay a fee to add solar to our house but we also rec’d a tax deduction and tax credit. Our electricity bill went from about $2k per year to around $200 – for the whole year! Over the course of the next few years, it definitely will save us money.”
5. Heated Floors - "We moved into a new house that has heated floors. It’s the first time we’ve experienced it but we live in a colder climate and it is a game changer. We will never go without any longer.”
6. Three-Season Porch – “This is our favorite and most-used room in the house now. It is so versatile and it’s probably best when it’s raining.”
