What Are the Best Renovations To Do Before Selling a Home

In Summary:

• The best renovations to do before selling are usually the ones that make your home feel clean, bright, and well-maintained in photos and showings (paint, lighting, flooring, and simple cosmetic updates).
• Skip big remodels if you can. Instead, refresh kitchens and bathrooms with targeted upgrades that modernize the look without blowing your budget.
• Fix anything that could trigger inspection or appraisal concerns early (water leaks, roof/gutters, electrical, HVAC, odors), especially in Gig Harbor’s damp coastal climate.

Most sellers consider a few renovations before listing their home on the market, to get the most out of their investment. Some report that even the average minor kitchen remodel can recoup 112.9% of its costs. The writing’s on the wall that you should consider penciling in a few updates and fixes into your budget.

Determining the best renovations to do before selling can be tough, as both the market and the specific home’s condition can impact the returns you might see. Fortunately, there are usually a few universal factors you can focus on to ensure a “move-in ready” property that buyers prefer. 

Read on to discover the best home improvements to make before selling. And, learn how Schulte & Co. can help you line up your investment so you are more likely to get a strong sale.

What Buyers Notice First: Paint and Lighting

What to fix before selling a house is not always obvious. To invest time wisely, look for key tasks, such as new coats of paint or fixing tight doors that stick. Ensure each room is clean, bright, and functional so that buyers walk in and see the home’s potential in that space.

Start by doing a five-minute walk-through yourself. On the way, look out for:

• Scuffs

• Mismatched colors

• Old fixtures

• Damage

• Non-functional lights

List as many as you notice in 30 seconds in every room. These will be your immediate quick fixes, and can often be tackled with a magic eraser, or a quick lick of paint.

And, when choosing paint colors, remember that neutral is best. A clean white, or gentle magnolia will help the buyers see your home as a blank canvas for them to move into. 

If your home does have a lot of dark paint, or a style that isn’t to everyone’s taste, refreshing these spaces back to a neutral palette may also attract more interest from buyers.

These visible fixes can often improve buyer perception and potentially push the sale value upward.

Refreshing a Kitchen Without a Full Remodel

When you renovate to sell, you don’t want to invest in an expensive update, and a full kitchen remodel can break a budget. Instead, you can aim for a clean, and current that people will feel okay to move into, even if it’s a little dated.

Fix anything that feels dirty, worn, or old-fashioned to make the home feel like is well-kept, even if you limit the updates to cosmetic changes. Though bear in mind that with old-fashioned elements, what you choose to do may depend on the home’s aesthetic.

If you need to make a choice over what to prioritize, update the items that are more likely to appear in listing photos first. After all, once buyers have stepped inside, they’ve already invested time in the showing.

Some of the more specific kitchen fixes to do before selling your house include:

• Cleaning and degreasing cabinets

• Refacing doors and veneers

• Replacing or polishing handles

• Upgrading the sink area

If you are on a budget, you only want to replace countertops when there are obvious issues, such as swelling or damage. Try to make this decision earlier so you have time to measure and install them without delaying listing photos.

Refresh Bathrooms for a Memorable Appearance

The appearance of a clean bathroom may have a greater impact on the average buyer than one with the latest upgrades. So:

• Remove signs of moisture problems

• Clean up any grime

• Replace old grout

• Resolve ventilation issues that could promote a musty smell

These can cause potential buyers to question whether further damage hides behind the walls.

When updating fixtures, keep them simple and consistent across all bathrooms in the home. These spaces can be expensive to remodel, and you want to avoid potentially making buyers think they need to make a bigger investment.

Replace or Refinish Noticeable Flooring Issues

The list of what to fix before selling a house extends beyond fixtures and fittings. Even the floors or walls might need your attention.

Remove obvious stains and odors, fix frayed edges on carpets, and keep flooring consistent across rooms. These can make the home feel much larger and avoid the sense that it was updated zone by zone.

Fix Appraisal-Risk Repairs Before Listing

While a few mandatory repairs might be acceptable to some buyers, specific issues run the risk of driving them away. These often trigger inspection requests or appraisal questions you may be better off addressing earlier, such as:

• Water issues like leaks and stains

• Damaged roof flashing and gutters

• Electrical issues or loose outlets and switches

• Odors from pipes

• HVAC problems

Anyone living in the home will eventually need to deal with these themselves, and the worry of the future cost can impede potential buyers. Thus, removing that stress from a purchase takes the weight off the buyer’s back and makes the purchase feel easier.

Add Home Upgrades Modern Buyers Expect

Many pre-listing guides prioritize modern or smart home improvements that will get the home up to par with others on the market. Buyers like to know they will move into a ready property that has these added features. 

Some of the priority additions include:

• Smart thermostats

• Contemporary smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms

• Draft sealants and up-to-date insulation

• Modern safety devices

If you are concerned that people will miss these updates during a tour, you can even consider explicitly labeling them. Buyers will then also know what will stay after you move out, and can look up how to use it when considering their purchase.

Check For Damp Issues 

Living by the waterside, Gig Harbor buyers may be more canny when it comes to the marine climate. They may pay more attention to damp smells and condensation, for example. The peninsula’s climate can contribute to mildew development, and taking potential local issues off the table can help your listing feel well-maintained.

When updating the home’s exterior, choose paints and hardware that hold up to damp weather, and fix any moisture-related wear so the home appears well-kept.

Get Your Home Ready to List: The Best Renovations to Do Before Selling in Gig Harbor

Choosing the best renovations to do before selling means tackling those most likely to remove potential buyer objections prior to getting the rooms ready for photos. If you are unsure what to do next or need advice, Schulte & Co are a great option to consider in Gig Harbor and the surrounding area.

We focus on the Gig Harbor market to provide location-specific insights and guidance. Our concierge-level service can also help tailor your listing to your specific home and your selling goals. Book a call with us to start the process of making that sale with our help today.

In Summary:

• The best renovations to do before selling are usually the ones that make your home feel clean, bright, and well-maintained in photos and showings (paint, lighting, flooring, and simple cosmetic updates).
• Skip big remodels if you can. Instead, refresh kitchens and bathrooms with targeted upgrades that modernize the look without blowing your budget.
• Fix anything that could trigger inspection or appraisal concerns early (water leaks, roof/gutters, electrical, HVAC, odors), especially in Gig Harbor’s damp coastal climate.