After years, if not decades, of owning a home, it can be difficult to prepare your house for sale. In that time, the property may have accumulated some value — but also wear and tear. While you might find the chipped paint and creaky floorboards endearing, a prospective buyer will not. Moreover, trends in home design change over time, and what was in vogue when you bought the place may be outdated now. So when it comes time to prepare to sell, homeowners need to determine if updates and renovations are necessary, and which ones are worthwhile.

As a basic rule of thumb, sellers should not put more time and money into a home improvement project than they can reasonably expect to get back. Since every home and project is unique, it’s impossible to estimate the exact return on investment for renovations. That said, sellers should follow the general guidelines below when renovating and preparing a house for sale.

Refresh With a Fresh Coat of Paint

There’s nothing like newly painted walls to give your home a much needed refresh. If you haven’t had them painted in a while, definitely do so before you put your home on the market. If your walls are showing signs of wear and tear, don’t paint over them directly. Instead, use spackling paste to cover up holes, cracks, or dents. Then, cover with a fresh coat of paint. You may be able to do this yourself, or you can hire painters.

You may even use the opportunity to paint an accent wall or two, but make sure you choose a color that will have broad appeal. Additionally, consider using statement wallpaper, which looks great in listing photos and could catch the eye of a buyer. Or, take the advice given in our article on staging your home to sell: go with one neutral color, so buyers can view the home as a blank slate.

Install Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances

When it comes to the kitchen, any renovation that involves moving gas lines and plumbing will be subject to a countless number of approvals, both from the city’s Department of Buildings as well as your building’s management. This type of work is also going to be expensive and labor-intensive. Your time and money are better spent focusing on the appliances, because those are what jump out at buyers. 

Many buyers love stainless steel, but don’t think you need to splurge on a Sub-Zero, Viking, or Miele. There are many less expensive, high-quality brands that make attractive stainless steel appliances, like Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, and KitchenAid. Pickup and installation are usually handled by the store where you purchase them, so no need to hire contractors. Just make sure you measure your existing appliances, so it’s an easy swap when the new ones are delivered.

Still stuck on that Sub-Zero? If you’re concerned about the quality of your appliances, look at listings of homes comparable to yours and see what they’ve installed.

Make Simple Updates to the Kitchen Cabinetry

Typically, it’s not worth investing in entirely new cabinets. It’s a big hassle and can be quite costly. Instead, there are quick and easy updates you can make to your existing cabinets. First, grease up the hinges with WD-40 if they’re creaking, and tighten the screws if anything is loose or misaligned. Next, buy some new hardware. Opt for modern pulls over outdated knobs, in a silver, gold, or black finish. Lastly, re-stain or re-paint the cabinets, preferably in a light or neutral color. 

Whatever you do, don’t bother with brand new cabinets! If someone doesn’t like your cabinets, they’ll rip them out and install new ones anyway. The best you can do is apply low-cost fixes to enhance the ones you have.

Add a New Backsplash

While you may feel like your entire kitchen could use a renovation, getting brand new countertops and cabinets is likely not going to give you the ROI you’re seeking. A new backsplash, however, can be a great in-between solution. Not surprisingly, New Yorkers love subway tile backsplash, and it can be relatively easy and affordable to install. By adding some color and texture to your kitchen, you can create a lasting statement and give your kitchen the refreshing look it deserves.

Re-glaze, Re-caulk, Re-grout

A clean, modern bathroom is always a plus when you’re selling your home. Again, you don’t want to get into the business of doing a full renovation and playing around with the plumbing, but there are simple upgrades you can make that will go a long way.

Whether you have a standup shower or bathtub, there are numerous opportunities for updates. If you have a bathtub that has become pockmarked and worn, re-glaze it. Also, make sure to re-caulk the entire area around the shower or tub to get rid of molding or discoloration. If your bathroom has tiled walls or floors, re-grout any tile that has faded or discolored, or consider re-grouting the entire space. You can do all of this yourself, or hire a professional. Think twice before deciding to rip out and install new tiling — it’s quite laborious and time-consuming.

Upgrade the Bathroom Vanity

Depending on the setup of your bathroom, you may be able to easily swap out the vanity, including the sink fixture. Installing a brand new sink and cabinet combo can make a world of difference, and it doesn’t have to cost much respective to the return on value. You may also want to update the mirror: a shiny new one can have a big impact, without breaking the bank.

Go for Modern Lighting

Lighting is extremely important when preparing a house for sale. You want to present your home in the best possible light — literally — and it will help it photograph well. If your existing lighting fixtures look dated (or you don’t have any at all), install some modern ones. Replace any harsh lighting with new bulbs, opting for a “soft white” look that mimics natural daylight.

Avoid Structural Floor Work — Make Surface-Level Improvements Instead

If your floors look like they could use some love, don’t start ripping out the floorboards and installing new ones. The cost of materials and labor will be significant. There are surface-level updates you can make instead, such as getting them waxed, sanded, and re-stained. You’ll be amazed at how much it improves the look and feel of your floors (and entire spaces), almost to the point of seeming brand new.

Get Down to Business

Now that you’ve read these tips and tricks on how to prepare your house for sale, it’s time to get to it! Each building is different and may require permission for any of the aforementioned work, so be sure to check in with the management before you get started. Figure out which work you can do yourself, or where you need to hire professionals.

If you’re curious about your home’s worth, or how it compares to similar listings, explore our tools for sellers. You’ll see your StreetEasy Valuation, our estimate of your home’s market value, as well as comparable listings in the area. There’s also a home sale calculator, which you can use to estimate potential costs and proceeds of selling your home.

Furthermore, a skilled real estate agent can help you determine which updates and renovations are worthwhile for your home. Contact our Concierge for sellers and have them match you with a StreetEasy Expert — an agent with verified experience selling homes similar to yours.