Should You Renovate Before Selling Your Home?

It’s an age-old question in real estate: Should you renovate your home before putting it on the market? In some cases, the answer might be a resounding “yes.” In other cases, there simply might not be the need to spend a lot of money renovating your home, although it might be wise to do a handful of smaller projects to increase the value of your home.

The key is to understand the advantages of renovating your home before selling it. This isn’t the same as renovating your home so that you can enjoy the upgrades for several years. Since you’ll be spending money just before moving out, this is about knowing what renovations are popular in your area and will attract more buyers to your listing. The last thing you want to do is spend money on certain renovations and then not draw the kind of interest you had hoped for or top-dollar offers.

Many buyers in today’s market prefer to buy a home that is move-in ready and doesn’t need renovations. That way, they can begin enjoying their home right away without having to turn their attention to a major project such as having to re-roof or upgrade the kitchen.

The logical place to start is to hire a licensed real estate agent who has been helping clients buy and sell luxury orders in the North Houston area for several years. A smart agent who knows your neighborhood well and understands what buyers are looking for in renovated homes for sale will offer you great advice that will help you come out on the positive end of a sale. The best agents also represent buyers, so they know what is worth doing and what’s not worth doing. When you pick the right renovations, your home will attract more offers and fetch a higher sales price.

There’s a saying in real estate that “kitchens sell homes,” because that’s the single-most important room to most buyers. Many buyers head straight to the kitchen during a private showing or open house to see how roomy it is and to check out the appliances. So, that begs the question: Should I remodel my kitchen before selling? Keep in mind that an outdated or unappealing kitchen can quickly turn off buyers. But you might not need a full renovation, which can be quite costly.

Instead, consider minor or midrange upgrades that can cost a lot less and still have a return on investment (ROI) in the 70% range, which is higher than for a total remodel. Rather than tearing the room down to the studs, there are some tips to keep the costs under control while freshening the look dramatically. Start by painting or refacing your cabinets rather than replacing them entirely and replace the pulls and knobs with new ones in classy finishes such as polished nickel, brass, or chrome. Then, you can replace dated countertops with granite, quartzite, or other quartz options, while keeping the same layout.

If you need to replace appliances, you can save money by going with mid-range options rather than top-of-the-line. Choose energy-efficient appliances that have smart features, meaning they can be operated from a tablet or iPhone. You can also replace your light fixtures with attractive new ones that brighten the room. Finally, a fresh coat of paint will do wonders for the kitchen, and at a cheap price.

If the interior of your home is beautiful and in great shape, then you should focus on the exterior, where there could be several renovations that increase home value. If you improve your home’s curb appeal, you’ll almost certainly attract more buyers and increase the home’s value. Two quick projects include hiring a landscaping company to perk up the look of your lawn and flower beds and adding fresh mulch to create the look of well-manicured landscaping.

Other exterior projects to increase the home’s value include a fresh coat of exterior paint or, if the paint is in good shape, a good power-washing to remove years of dirt and grime. You can also replace or paint your front door and even your garage door to add to the overall fresh look.

It’s possible to over-improve your home to where you spend more money than you can ever hope to recoup. Rather than striving to have a perfect house, focus on showing the home’s potential. If you’re wondering what not to fix when selling a home, that would include things like a few cracked tiles in the bathroom or a floor, a few scratches in a hardwood floor, or cracks in the driveway and sidewalk. Some wear and tear is expected, and cosmetic flaws are certainly part of that.

The bathroom is another major room where a remodel or at least some improvements can help with ROI. Just like the kitchen, it might not be necessary or practical to go all-in with a full renovation, which doesn’t always have the best ROI. Instead, opt for a midrange or minor renovation that will cost less and have an ROI in the 70% range.

Again, rather than tearing the bathroom down the studs, pick some options that will improve the room's functionality and make it more beautiful. One popular option is to install a double vanity in the master bathroom so that each spouse has a sink and a cabinet. If you keep your current vanity, some renovations that increase home value include replacing the countertop with marble or quartz and replacing the hardware with fashion options such as satin nickel or brushed gold. Some luxury touches would be to add a walk-in shower and install a soothing rainfall showerhead and even a steam feature.

These are just a few of the many ideas for renovating your home before you sell. Once you’re ready to start selling your home, contact Kathleen Goss. Kathleen has spent over two decades honing her skills and gathering professional expertise. She looks forward to helping you get your home in top condition.