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When it comes to home improvements, more is not always better. This is especially true in the high end real estate market. It is a long-held rule of thumb in the real estate industry that the more personalized your home is, the harder it is to sell. An aquarium installed in the walls of the great room may impress at first sight, but if your potential clients aren't interested in keeping pet fish, it's just one more thing they'll have to remedy when they buy the house.

Certain improvements are almost always money in the bank: a kitchen updated with granite counters and high end stainless steel appliances and a master bath with a spa tub and separate, multi-head shower are safe bets. Pass on the wine cellar and spend that same money finishing the basement into an entertainment or workout area (or both). Beware installing too much technology in that below decks media room, however; today's hottest tech is tomorrow's old news.

Hardwood floors and fireplaces are must haves in any luxury property: adding both to the master bedroom will make your home stand out as a haven of livability and indulgence. Beyond four bedrooms, additional bedrooms add very little to the resale value of your house, so if you've got an extra bedroom next to your master, consider knocking out a wall to create a large, airy retreat.

Some of the most important improvements you can make to your high end home start before you reach the front door: never underestimate the power of curb appeal. Professional landscaping that invites visitors from the street into your home will add volumes to your house's luxury feel. Decks, patios and outdoor living spaces are now viewed as necessary additions to your home's usable area and if you've got a view, flaunt it! Do some research on your surroundings before you splurge on a swimming pool: research shows that in colder regions and neighborhoods dominated by young families fewer than 25% of home buyers desire a pool.

Last, but not least, don't ignore the lighting. A lighting expert can help you add recessed lighting in all the right places, accent your fine art and show off the quality craftsmanship in your home the way it truly deserves. As with anything worth doing, when starting on the road to improving your luxury home, remember that the devil is in the details.

Learn more about this author, Ophelia Keith.
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