When you first decide to list your house for sale, the list of things to do seems a mile long. Clean, declutter, paint, pack, stage, take pictures, clean some more, find a new house to live in, call the movers, arrange a showing, and yes, clean again. No wonder so many people feel so overwhelmed they don’t even know where to start.

However, there is some good news for you. If you’re like most people, you have numerous items on your checklist that don’t actually need to be there. When we cross those out, the entire process of preparing for your big move might seem just a little less onerous. In this post, we’ll highlight all of those monumental projects you can skip while still enjoying fantastic results from your sale.

Before making any home improvements, it’s always a good idea to see how much your property is worth. Book a complimentary home evaluation with us right here.

Low ROI Projects

Renovations cost money. There’s no question about that, especially with the way the prices of labour and materials are going. An argument could be made that the time commitment and living in a disaster-zone for what seems like forever is even worse! Now imagine that you don’t have to do most of it – or even any of it.

The first step is to identify projects with a low ROI (Return on Investment). These are the repairs and renovations that will have little to no impact on your sale – or even hurt your results. Spending $100,000 on a brand-new swimming pool is a prime example. It may look beautiful, but it’s still going to be the first thing many buyers will rip out at the first opportunity.

Even among those who appreciate your efforts, very few would be willing to pay more for your home. You are unlikely to see much monetary reward, never mind recouping your entire investment.

Ultimately, your decisions depend on what buyers are looking for in your area. Expensive renovations might be worth it when selling a luxury property, but not for a starter home.

Different demographics also have unique preferences. A younger buyer may prioritize energy-efficient or smart home upgrades; an older demographic may appreciate higher countertops or larger shower stalls instead of a bathtub. Before hiring a contractor, connect with a local real estate agent who can help you understand the potential versus the investment involved. If the numbers don’t make sense, it’s better to save your time and money.

Getting to know your local community is one secret to successfully selling your home. Learn more about Pickering real estate in the posts below:

• What Are Pickering’s Best Neighbourhoods?
• What Is North Pickering?
• Does Pickering Have Luxury Homes?

Defining Your Needs and Goals

Before removing any low ROI projects from your to-do list, you first need to define what that means for you. This is where things can get complicated – because not everything is always about the money, not even in real estate.

Think about your time and your stress levels. Moving is an emotional experience, and sometimes, getting the process over with quickly is best for your peace of mind.

• Imagine if a particular renovation stands to add to your sale, but will also add months to your timeline. Is it worth it? The answer depends on your situation and what you want to do next.
• If you’re under the gun because you have an offer on a new house and need a fast sale, you might not be able to afford to wait.

If you’re not in a rush, it may be worth the time and effort to maximize your sale in every way possible. When downsizing or upsizing, earning the highest possible amount could be critical to fund your next steps.

What Is a Repair or Renovation Actually Worth?

Sometimes, the value of a particular home improvement project is intangible. Your perception of what is worthwhile could vary from someone else’s. For example, imagine investing $10,000 in a kitchen remodel, and as a result, you add $10,000 to your sale.

On paper, you haven’t lost anything, but you haven’t gained, either. However, it could help your house sell faster. That benefit alone might be worthwhile for you even if it doesn’t mean more money in the bank.

Let’s consider another scenario. What if that $10,000 remodel turned into an extra $15,000 from your sale? Now you’re looking at a $5,000 ROI. You have to weigh the benefits of the extra funds versus the time and effort required for the renovations. The higher the potential return, the more worthwhile the renovation becomes.

Renovations to Avoid

To further narrow down what renovations to perform or not, consider the market and what demographic your house appeals to. A younger buyer has different priorities and tastes in decor than someone looking to retire. That said, there are some general categories that you’ll want to avoid in almost all cases.

Hiding Serious Flaws

Cosmetic fixes that stem from a serious structural flaw can backfire on you when selling your home. If your roof or basement has water damage from a leak, you don’t want to go through the motions of just making it look good.

For one, it won’t last. Secondly, a savvy buyer who requests a home inspection isn’t going to be fooled. Most importantly, you have an obligation to disclose known latent flaws. Trying to hide an issue can get you into legal trouble even if you do find a buyer. The cover-up is worse than the crime itself when it comes to real estate!

If your home needs major repairs, you can weigh your options.

• You can complete them beforehand so your home is as good as new for the next owner.
• Alternatively, you can leave these projects for the buyer. You will likely need to offer some sort of incentive, but you can save yourself the time and trouble of making the upgrade yourself.

Personal Decor Additions

Whatever you do when preparing your home for sale, you want to avoid renovations that are done solely for your personal benefit and not based on market research. This is especially true if you have a unique sense of style. A buyer might share your affinity for the quirky and the bold – or they might not.

Either way, it’s a gamble that’s unlikely to pay off. The buyer may love what you’ve done with the place, but that doesn’t mean they’ll make you a higher offer – or any offer. If they hate it and can’t see past it, they will simply move on to the next choice.

Now that you know what not to do, let’s talk about some of the steps you can take to attract the attention of potential buyers. The posts below can help:

• What Are the Secrets of Selling for Top Dollar in Pickering?
• Is Staging the Ultimate Home Selling Secret?
• How to Make Your House Appeal to the Next Generation

Do you want personalized guidance to make your home sale as profitable as possible? Our Pickering real estate agents can help you plan for success. Reach out today at info@teamrajpal.com or call 647-875-8000 with any questions or to get started.

Tune Into Our Podcast

Listen to us dive into important real estate topics that add value to your next venture.

Start Listening