If you’re thinking about putting your home up for sale in the future, it can be difficult to know what you should update before selling to present it in the best possible light. Of course, we always recommend calling your trusted real estate agent to conduct a full evaluation of your home, but in the meantime, here are 13 items you shouldn’t think about updating if you’re planning on selling your home anytime soon.
A new roof
“While buyers like to see a new roof, it doesn’t necessarily add value to the home. Appraisers don’t place an additional value on the age of the roof and when we provide an analysis to our clients, we don’t add any monetary value as it is part of maintaining a home. “Kelly Cahill Cahill & Miller Group, Ft. Mill, South Carolina
Landscaping
“Don’t spend a lot of money on extensive landscaping. A little personal effort is usually enough to spruce up most homes and get them ready to go on the market. Spend some time outdoors and trim back overgrown shrubs, edge your driveway, walkways and natural areas, and add mulch or pine needles where needed. Finally, put in some beautiful seasonal flowers and a new doormat at the front door. First impressions are lasting, make them memorable for all the right reasons.” Cindy Hope, Matthews, North Carolina
Formal Dining Rooms
“If you have a formal dining room, I wouldn’t renovate it, I would just simplify it. I would remove the table and chairs if they are large and obtrusive so that buyers have a flexible room and can determine the best use for this room. Buyers today need office space(s) and they need playrooms or homeschooling rooms for the kids, so create a blank palette and let the buyer decide what they want the space to be.”Pam Matthews, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Kitchen splashback
“Everyone knows that a renovated kitchen helps sell, but I don’t recommend anyone change the backsplash before selling. It’s a very personal touch in a kitchen and, along with the hardware, is like a piece of jewelry for an outfit. Don’t do that if you haven’t already and let the buyer decide what’s best for their own taste.” –Kelly Ramsay, Cashiers, NC
Air conditioning
“Buyers expect a properly functioning HVAC system, but just because it’s old doesn’t mean it needs replacing. You won’t recoup the replacement cost when you sell. Any concerns that arise at the time of sale can usually be resolved with a loan or home warranty”. Chris Carlin Lake Norman, North Carolina
Kitchens or bathrooms
“While kitchen and bathroom renovations can be expensive, they also have the potential to yield the greatest return on investment. However, if the kitchen and bathroom are functional and in good condition, it is often better to simply clean them up and make any necessary cosmetic repairs, rather than embark on a full-scale remodel.” Michael Jones Charlotte, North Carolina
Wallpaper or special paint
“One thing I’ve seen people do that I wouldn’t recommend is adding special paint or wallpaper to a home before selling it. It’s really essential to accentuate the home as a whole and keep things simple. The simpler and more straightforward the decor, as well as the paint, the better!”
Additionally, “many sellers believe they need to repaint the entire interior of their home before listing it for sale, which can be very costly if you don’t have the time or talent to do it yourself. However, if you feel like you need a fresh coat of paint, stick to neutrals. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on bold or “trendy” colors that you think look great. A buyer may see this as another expensive or time-consuming renovation they’ll have to do, but a neutral color palette is a blank canvas for buyers to visualize their own style. Also, avoid repainting altogether by simply cleaning and removing any small or large scratches with a magic eraser and maybe some touch-ups of paint. If your paint colors are on the darker side, maybe opt for some additional lamps in the room for more lighting to brighten things up. The main thing is that you don’t want your home to look unkempt.”Melissa Shelar, Oak Ridge, North Carolina
Personalized items
“One of the main general rules is “Will the renovation have universal appeal? and will the change increase the purchase price by at least what you paid for it? If you’re thinking about selling your home, now is not the time to install custom wallpaper, steam showers, solar panels, or hot tubs and pools. If you want to make extravagant improvements to your home, keep in mind that custom luxury home improvements typically only recoup a fraction of the project costs.” Ellen Suther Charlotte, North Carolina
“Know the difference between investing in a novel renovation and a utility one. Solar panels, for example, may require maintenance that a buyer may be put off by and that can hinder future renovations, such as a new roof or home additions. Consider investing in updating kitchen appliances, worn or damaged flooring, or painting or replacing the front door.” Tammy Steele Summerfield, North Carolina
Accessories
“Typically, buyers will look for, depending on price, stainless steel appliances. If the price of the home is in line with comparable properties that have upgrades that include stainless steel appliances, we will suggest upgrading the appliance selection. However, we almost never recommend clients go for luxury, ultra-high-end appliances unless the price of the home requires it. Many times, sellers believe that if they get the most expensive appliance upgrade, they will get a return on their investment; however, our approach is to maximize the return on investment, align the home with comparable properties, and not over-upgrade to the point that the seller loses money because they chose appliances that are too high-end.” Jeremy Ordan The Ordan Reider Group, Charlotte, North Carolina
The main bathroom
“A master bathroom renovation would be something that would be of interest to the new owner. It is a very custom space and I would perhaps suggest a seller credit towards its renovation.”Glenn Austin, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Floor
“I suggest my clients not to replace carpets, but to offer an additional amount with an acceptable offer, this way the potential buyer can choose the flooring they prefer. The same goes for paint, unless they opt for a neutral color.”Tim Atkins, Oak Ridge, North Carolina
Old-fashioned bathroom tiles
“In the mid-60s and early 70s it was common to have floor-to-ceiling tiled showers. They were often done with pink, green, blue or other colored tiles. This definitely makes a home look dated and is not a modern design, but I always recommend leaving it that way. First, that style is back in style and when paired with an original tile floor or a new tile floor with a classic look, many buyers like the look. Second, it is a big undertaking to tear out a tiled shower and rebuild a new one. The cost and effort that goes into a total renovation here is simply not worth it.” Lee Hamilton
Continue reading: The Best Paint Colors to Sell Your House Fast
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