Worth-It

1. Front Door

Curb appeal is your home's first impression. After all, people judge a book by its cover! Getting a modest new front door that matches the home's overall character is where you want to go here. (You clearly don't want to have to change several other parts on the exterior of the house just to match the new front door!)

Be aware that a major facelift of the entire front porch may be a bigger expenditure than you might think!

2. Kitchen & Bathroom

Modest is best.  Picking out the latest stainless steel appliances or smart frig will not get you 100 cents on the dollar.  We are talking about R.O.I. here. Do a minor change when your kitchen/bathroom needs a cosmetic update and not a drastically different floor plan.

3. Fresh Coat of Paint (Inside and Out)

When your home is advertised online via real estate sites, social media, etc., you need to attract the most number of people which will drive up the demand for the property. The quick-to-judge consumer wants a hassle free, move-in ready experience when moving into a new house. Fresh paint looks very appealing and is one less thing for the new homeowner to take care of. It is also cost effective!

4. Repair Outdoor Space

A power wash to any outdoor space is worth its weight in gold. From there, make sure to pull some weeds, fill up holes, cracks, etc. Also, replacing broken bricks or sealing cracks is a great finishing touch.  This one requires a bit of sweat equity!

Forget-It

1. Wall to Wall Carpeting

Averaging over $4.00 per square foot, wall-to-wall carpeting is not a cheaper solution for someone who wants to make their home pop for their 1st open house. The budget conscious solution is to hire a professional cleaner to steam-clean the carpets to give it a new look at a fraction of the cost to replace. 

2. Customizing Too Much

There is a reason they call it customizing. It meets the specific taste of a specific few. What’s more, the price tag reflects that it was made uniquely for you. If we have R.O.I. in mind, this is one area to steer clear of.

💡Pro-Tip: Think functionality here. Will that handcrafted bookshelf appeal to 90% of prospective homebuyers? Play devil's advocate when asking what "you" like vs. what most people "need" in a home. 

3. Fancy Upgrades

Have you ever gone into a boutique clothing store and get sticker shock when looking at those "trendy" pants? When someone buys your house, they buy everything in it! They can't simply pass on one thing like you could in a store. So better not install that pricey living room aquarium! 

4. Swimming Pool

This may take the cake as the most "don't even think about it" upgrade you can make when exploring your choices of different ways to spruce up your home for selling. Not only is this a major cost, but we find that most buyers avoid homes with pools as they prefer to not have to deal with the maintenance of a pool.