Every feature of a house has a monetary valuehow much it cost to install, and how much return on that investment the homeowner hopes to get from it when selling. Only you can know when something is worth paying more for you (if the house with a fully-stocked bomb shelter seems like its worth it, go for it). But certain home features are rarely worth paying extra for, if only because theyll cost you in the long run, whether in maintenance and upkeep or your own time and effort. Here are seven house features its okay to like, but not worth paying a premium for.Home theater systemsThere was a time when a professionally-installed home theater system was the epitome of home luxury. A big screen? A sound system in the walls and ceiling? A projector and some comfortable couches? That was how the fancy folks lived. Theres certainly a lingering glamour to a home theater, and theres nothing wrong with getting excited about movie nights if you spot one at the open house. But theyre never worth paying extra for because they date so quicklyand so poorly. Even a home theater system installed very recently is probably already a bit out of date. Meanwhile, TV screens are getting steadily larger and cheaper, streaming dongles give you access to more platforms, and soundbars are ubiquitous and easy to add to any room.At best, youll have to spend time and money updating your home theater. At worst, youll spend a lot more removing it.Lavish landscapingSometimes an enormous outdoor space can be an impressive visual. You walk outside of the house and suddenly youre in what feels like a high-end resort, or a lush garden, with a meticulously landscaped experience all around you. Its easy to imagine all the parties youll host and all the quiet cocktails youll enjoy in this incredible space.And you probably will! But lavish landscaping (and oversize outdoor spaces in general) have a huge downside that makes them more of a liability than a feature worth paying for: Maintenance. Most landscaping maintenance services are priced by the hour or by the square foot. The larger the space and the more stuff that needs trimming, tilling, repairing, watering, and feeding, the higher your monthly bill (or your personal time spent sweating in the sun) to keep everything looking good.And the problem with luxe landscaping is that without that maintenance, it will quickly turn into a yellowing, overgrown mess that you wont want anyone to see.Steam showersSteam showers cream luxuryyou can just imagine stepping in one after a long day and relaxing as a sauna blooms all around you. And steam showers are expensive (as much as $14,500!), so finding one in your dream home might make you willing to pay a bit more, since it would cost as much to install one anyway.But taking possession of a steam shower means signing up for maintenance. A lot of maintenance. Steam showers, unsurprisingly, are very prone to mold, so keeping them clean is pretty much a daily chore. The steam generator mechanism has to be checked and cleaned regularly. And even with proper maintenance, those generators can develop leaks which can lead to expensive water damage. In other words, if youre buying a steam shower dont pay extra for it because you will be paying extra for it for years to come.Backyard poolsIf you had a pool in your backyard growing up, you probably have fond memories youd love to replicate in your new home. And if you didnt have a pool in your backyard growing up you probably have bitter memories of your neighbors enjoying their pool, and so a pool in your new house is pretty exciting.And yes, pools are fun. But you shouldnt pay extra for a pool. The value-add of a pool is a complicated question for real estate professionals, but the key thing to keep in mind regarding a pool (or any water feature, for that matter) is the maintenance: Youre buying a lot of work, or a lot of invoices (close to $1,500 a years worth, on average). And if the pools not heated, youre going to have to close it up for much of the year anywayand possibly invest in a fence.Nothing wrong with enjoying a pool, or even wanting a pool. Just dont pay extra for a pool.Built-in appliancesA kitchen with built-in, integrated appliances can offer a space-age, elegant look. And for a brief period of time it can be a cutting-edge, high-end sort of kitchen. But those appliances will probably be outdated in terms of style and problematic in terms of function within a few yearsif they arent already.And built-in appliances are difficult to replace and difficult to repair, leading to extra costs when you have to replace trim work or remove cabinetry just to access them. Considering that the accepted wisdom is that you should remodel your kitchen every 10-15 years, paying extra for this stuff is probably a waste, since youll likely replace it all anyway.Whole house vacuumsCentral vacuum systems are making a bit of a comeback, sold on the convenience factorinstead of lugging a heavy vacuum around to every room, you can just plug in a lightweight hose and get to work. Theres no denying that a central vac can make cleaning the house a bit easierbut unless youre absolutely dedicated to having one, they should be regarded as a nice little extra that youre absolutely not paying a premium for.For one thing, theyre not that expensive to install, with costs ranging from $800 to $3,500, so even a brand-new system doesnt add much value to the house. For another, while they offer convenience theyre much less trouble than a regular vacuumyoure still going to have to plug in that hose in each room to do the work. Plus, repairing a central vac system can run as much as $500, as opposed to simply buying a new standalone vacuum. Wall-to-wall carpetWall-to-wall carpet is sometimes touted as a luxurious amenity, and if you love the feel of thick carpet under your bare feet, it might be. But its almost never worth paying extra for. Unless you know that the carpet was very recently installed, installed well, and is the pile and material you want, what youre buying is somebody elses carpet that may or may not be as clean as you want it to be.Carpet in general translates to a lower resale value on a home (as opposed to hardwood floors, which increase home values), which is all you need to know about its value proposition.