Before You Sell: Is It Worth Renovating First?

Selling your home is a big decision — and if you’re anything like most homeowners I work with, you're wondering if it’s worth doing one more renovation before listing.

The answer? It depends. (I know… the least satisfying answer ever. But hang with me — we’re going to break it down.)

Let’s talk about what upgrades are worth your time, money, and energy — and what’s better left for the next homeowner to dream about.

🎯 Step 1: Know Your Local Market

Before you grab a paintbrush or start pricing countertops, take a pulse on your real estate market:

• Are homes in your area flying off the shelf?

• Are buyers expecting turnkey?

• Are fixer-uppers sitting for months?

In a hot market, small tweaks may be enough to spark a bidding war. In a more balanced (or picky) market, buyers may expect polished spaces and modern finishes. This is where having a Realtor-Designer combo (hi, that’s me!) comes in handy — you get strategic insights from both lenses.

🔨 Step 2: Focus on the “Big 3” ROI Boosters

Not every renovation pays off, but these three areas consistently give the best return when done right:

1. Kitchens

The heart of the home! You don’t need a full gut-job — think modern light fixtures, painted cabinets, new hardware, and updated appliances if yours are showing their age.

2. Bathrooms

Swap dated lighting, re-grout tile, or replace old vanities. Even small updates can make a space feel fresh and spa-like (and who doesn’t love that?).

3. Paint + Flooring

Fresh paint is the ultimate facelift. Stick to warm neutrals. If your flooring is worn or wildly mismatched between rooms, this is worth addressing — consistency feels like luxury.

💸 Step 3: Set a Smart Budget

Don’t spend $30K to raise your list price by $10K. That’s just math that doesn’t math. 😅

Here’s a rough guide:

• For light pre-sale updates, aim to spend no more than 1–2% of your home’s value

• Want to go bigger? Get a detailed ROI estimate before signing contractor agreements

⛔ What NOT to Renovate Before Selling

Some projects just don’t deliver enough bang for your buck. Skip these unless they’re absolutely necessary:

• Full basement remodels (buyers prefer to customize)

• High-end custom finishes (marble everything is nice... but you won’t recoup the splurge)

• Room additions (expensive, time-consuming, and rarely urgent for buyers)

✅ When Renovating IS Worth It:

• Your home is the least updated on the block

• Buyers in your price range expect turnkey

• You have obvious wear and tear (hello, 2006 tile backsplash 👋)

• You want to stand out online and draw more interest

• You’re working with a designer who knows how to make magic on a budget ✨

🧠 The Takeaway:

Yes, renovating before selling can be worth it — but it should be strategic, not stressful.

If you're unsure what will actually move the needle on your home’s value, that’s where I come in. I’ll walk you through what’s worth doing, help you avoid the money pits, and even manage the whole process if you’re too busy juggling work, school drop-offs, and trying to remember the last time you took a real vacation. 😉

👋 Ready to Sell Smart (and Stylish)?

Let’s chat. I help busy families and upscale homeowners prep their homes for maximum value and minimum chaos. Book a no-pressure consult and let’s get your home market-ready the smart way.