Should You Renovate Your House Before Selling?

In 2023, homeowners spent $481 billion improving and maintaining their homes. While it would be great if owners recouped this money when they sold their home, this isn’t always the case. So, should you renovate your house before selling?

“I’ve seen examples of both, where people have spent things on the right issues and gotten a pretty good return, and then spent money that, in my estimations, didn’t attract many buyers,” says Robert Ryczek, a top-selling agent in Gainesville, Florida with 46 years of experience.

If you decided to renovate your house before selling, how do you end up on the winning end?

Advantages of renovating your home before selling

Before we dive into what renovations make sense before listing your home, it’s helpful to know why you’d want to renovate your home in the first place. Making changes you can enjoy for years to come is one thing, but spending money on alterations right before you move out is another.

When you choose the right type of renovation project, your home value can increase and attract more potential buyers. According to a 2022 Home Improvement Report of over 1,200 participants conducted by Curbio, 77% of buyers would not consider buying a home that isn’t move-in ready.

When more people fall in love with your home, you can expect more offers, leading to a potentially higher sale price. Before you jump in and get started with renovations, learn what buyers in your area are looking for. This is where the advice of a top real estate agent can come in.

“You want to work with a good real estate agent that knows the neighborhood and knows the location,” said Jerome Leyba, a top-selling agent in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who sells homes 32% faster than the average agent. “They know what’s worth doing and what’s not, because they’re taking clients in there and know what people are complaining about.”