Renovating rooms before selling can help speed up the transaction… and also allow you to sell your house at a higher price. However, for this strategy to be worthwhile, the renovations must not cost too much. You should focus on the most interesting and profitable projects. Should you refresh a bedroom, a living room, or a kitchen? Here are some tips before you get started.
Start with minor cosmetic improvements
Before you even consider whether to renovate a room before selling your house, focus on small cosmetic improvements that can significantly impact the sale price. For example, replacing the front door or the garage door can be a game-changer.
In various rooms, it’s also recommended to freshen up any paint that needs it and to replace floor coverings that are overly worn or too personalized.
Refresh the kitchen without replacing everything
Replacing an entire kitchen can be quite expensive. Renovating this room before selling isn’t a necessity: you can simply refresh it to make it more attractive without investing too much time or money.
For example, instead of replacing all the storage cabinets, just installing a new countertop can modernize the room in an interesting way. Removing wallpaper and repainting with a neutral color is also a good strategy, especially if the patterns are outdated!
Instead of replacing all the storage cabinets, just installing a new countertop can modernize the room in an interesting way.”
Renovating the bathroom: a double-edged sword
When it comes to renovating rooms before selling a house, not everyone advises focusing on the bathroom first. Indeed, this project often involves significant work, requiring several tradespeople and considerable expenses for the seller.
However, if your bathroom is very outdated, it could clearly slow down the sale. The decision should be made on a case-by-case basis:
- Don’t renovate your bathroom if it’s still in good condition and just a bit out of style decoratively.
- Renovate the bathroom if its fixtures are truly old and in poor condition.
In any case, don’t make a decision until you’ve obtained quotes. Ideally, it’s recommended to compare multiple offers to get an idea of the cost for a satisfactory result.
Depersonalize the bedrooms
Many people struggle to sell their homes because potential buyers find it hard to envision themselves living there. The reason? When faced with overly personalized decor, they don’t feel comfortable enough during the visit to experience the “wow factor.”
Many people struggle to sell their homes because potential buyers find it hard to envision themselves living there.”
If you’ve put up personalized wallpaper in your children’s room, it’s in your best interest to replace it with paint. On the other hand, if your bedrooms already have a neutral style, there’s no need to allocate a renovation budget there.
Beyond painting and renovations, be sure to remove overly personal or bulky decorative items from all rooms, as they might not appeal to everyone.
Refreshing the living room: a solution that can pay off
The feeling in the living area is essential to increasing your chances of selling quickly and at the best price. Among the rooms to consider renovating before selling, the living room is an interesting option. Here, simply repainting the walls in a light color can help bring more light into the room. Flooring renovation is also an appealing choice, though it may require more time and money.
Although there are good practices and generally applicable tips, the key to renovation is targeting the right projects on a case-by-case basis. To do this, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a real estate professional!
