Usually, renovation costs don't get recovered upon resale. Like here.

102 Hunting Ridge Road

102 Hunting Ridge Road is reported pending. Last asking price was $2.095 million, and it can be anticipated that the selling price will be less than that. Deduct taxes and commissions, and that's still going to hurt.

Purchased in 2004 for $1.9 million, the owners performed the following renovations, at least according to their agent:

Completely renovated modern farmhouse. Bright 4 bedroom on 4.86 acres set amidst significant properties offering privacy yet close to town. Gourmet kitchen with quartzite countertop, new high end appliances and copper farmhouse sinks opens to large family room with fireplace and outdoor wrap around deck overlooking velvety lawn. Luxurious first floor master bedroom suite with fireplace and french doors open to deck. All bthrms updated -new fixtures, vanities, countertops and Grohe water systems. All new Anderson energy efficient windows. Fabulous upstairs bonus room with skylights. Walk-out basement with gym. Complete turn-key with all new modern day systems: UV air filtration and water well system, Whole yard Sprinkler, Sonos Sound, Security system, Kohler Whole House Generator.

I won't say all that was putting lipstick on a pig: it's a decent house, especially at this price, but it sits way down off the road, and that's never been a popular feature.

Innovative staging, though: the Zebra was replaced by a cow, and, the probable cause for the Zebra's disappearance, its nemesis, the leopard. Had she remembered the Chair and the Orange, this house might have sold far more quickly, and at a better price. 

Live and learn.