You're ready to sell but should you put in a new kitchen? Should you replace the flooring? Or should you list it as is? Many homeowners assume renovations will lead to a higher sale price, however not all upgrades pay off. Here's how to make the right decision for your home, budget, and timeline.
Renovations That Often Add Value
These updates tend to offer strong returns when selling:
Fresh Paint (Interior & Front Door)
This is low cost, but has a high impact.
Neutral colours help buyers visualize their own style.
Kitchen Facelift (Not a Full Gut)
Replacing cabinet doors, counters, or hardware.
Skip moving any plumbing or walls.
Bathroom Refresh
New mirror, lighting and fixtures as well as re-grouting tiles can go a long way.
Curb Appeal Improvements
Landscaping, power washing, new house numbers, or mailbox's can all lead to better first impressions.
New Flooring (if current is damaged/outdated)
LVP or engineered hardwood can make an older home feel modern.
Avoid overly trendy choices.
Upgrades That Don’t Usually Pay Off
Luxury Upgrades (high-end appliances, custom finishes) Most buyers won’t pay extra unless the home is in a luxury price range.
Adding Square Footage Adding a bedroom or major extension rarely delivers ROI if you're selling right away.
Swimming Pools or Hot Tubs These can actually reduce interest in some markets due to maintenance and associated costs.
Custom Taste Renovations Highly stylized tile, wallpaper, or dramatic feature walls can be polarizing.
Should You Renovate?
Some questions to ask yourself:
What’s the condition of your competition?
What price point are you targeting?
Do you have the time and funds to renovate before listing?
Would it delay your ability to capitalize on current market conditions?
Focus on Fixing, Not Rebuilding
Buyers care most about:
Clean, well-maintained spaces
Functionality
Light, flow, and layout
Move-in readiness (not perfection)
Renovating before selling can be a smart move but only when done strategically. Focus on simple, high-impact updates that appeal to the widest range of buyers, and skip the costly overhauls that may not pay off. If you're unsure where to start, I'm happy to walk through your home and offer honest advice on what’s worth doing (and what’s not) to help you get the best return. If you would like to receive a free home evaluation or are just curious about the market feel free to reach out at any time. (778)-792-4226 📱
