February 17th, 2026 8:55 AM by Kelsey Bergey & Roxanne Johnson
If you’re thinking about selling, one of the first questions that usually comes up is:
“Do I need to update everything?”
The short answer? No.
In fact, some of the most expensive renovations are the least likely to give you a full return — especially right before listing. The goal isn’t to remodel your home for someone else. It’s to present it as clean, functional, and well cared for.
Here’s where your time and money are best spent — and where you can likely hold back.
Few things make a home feel refreshed faster than clean, neutral paint.
Scuffed walls, bold accent colors, or patchy touch-ups are immediately noticeable to buyers. A soft, neutral palette brightens rooms, photographs beautifully, and allows buyers to picture their own furniture in the space.
This is one of the highest return, lowest cost updates you can make.
Buyers notice cleanliness more than upgrades.
Baseboards, vents, window tracks, light fixtures, and grout lines all communicate how a home has been maintained. A spotless home feels move-in ready — even if finishes aren’t brand new.
Professional cleaning before listing is often one of the smartest investments sellers make.
Loose cabinet handles. Dripping faucets. Sticky doors. Chipped trim.
Individually, these seem small. Collectively, they shape a buyer’s perception of overall upkeep.
When small maintenance items are addressed, buyers feel confident. When they’re ignored, buyers begin to wonder what else may have been overlooked.
Outdated light fixtures and cabinet hardware can date a home quickly.
The good news? These are typically inexpensive swaps that modernize a space fast. Updated lighting and simple hardware create a cleaner, more current look without a major renovation.
You’re not selling your décor — you’re selling space.
Too much furniture or crowded surfaces make rooms feel smaller. Thoughtfully removing excess items helps rooms appear larger, brighter, and easier for buyers to visualize.
Often, less truly is more.
Unless the kitchen is in severe disrepair, a full renovation right before listing rarely returns dollar-for-dollar value.
Buyers may love it — but they likely won’t pay you back entirely for the investment.
Opening walls or restructuring spaces is expensive and risky this late in the game. Most buyers would rather choose their own large-scale renovations later.
Ultra-personal finishes or high-end custom features may not align with the broader buyer pool in your market. Neutral appeal almost always wins when preparing to sell.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s confidence.
Buyers want a home that feels:
Strategic, thoughtful updates can increase perceived value without unnecessary spending.
Before you invest in renovations, it’s worth having a plan tailored to your home and our local market. Every property is different, and what makes sense in one home may not in another.
If selling is on your radar this year, I’m always happy to walk through your home and help you prioritize improvements that will truly make an impact — and help you avoid spending money where it won’t.