Should You Renovate Before Selling? A Tactical Approach to ROI

Austin S.
Jun 12
2 min read

Side-by-side comparison of a kitchen before and after renovation, with the left side showing an old, worn-out room with red walls and exposed flooring, and the right side revealing a bright, modern kitchen with white cabinetry, fresh paint, and polished wooden floors.

Renovations are like investments—they only make sense when the return justifies the risk.

Many sellers approach pre-sale upgrades emotionally. Fresh paint, new floors, trendy fixtures—the impulse is understandable. Presentation matters. But when it comes to your bottom line, the difference between a strategic refresh and an overreach can be thousands.

The key is knowing what moves the market and what simply moves money out of your pocket.

1. Fix What Buyers Will Flag

Buyers rarely fall out of love with a home because it lacks quartz countertops. But they will walk away over water stains, drafty windows, or electrical issues. Functional problems become leverage during negotiations.

Tactical Move: Start with a pre-inspection. It eliminates surprises and puts you in control of the narrative.

2. Avoid Vanity Projects

Upgrading to custom cabinets or imported tile might feel satisfying—but rarely delivers a proportionate bump in sale price. Most buyers shop within a price range, not a materials spec sheet.

Tactical Move: Improve where it counts. Clean lines, neutral tones, and functional upgrades show better than boutique luxuries that don’t match the home's price point.

3. Know Your Market Tier

What works in Bethesda doesn’t necessarily work in Glen Burnie. Renovation ROI varies drastically by neighborhood, price bracket, and buyer expectation. Over-improving in a mid-tier market can backfire.

Tactical Move: Study the comps. Align your upgrades with what sells fast and well in your area—not just what looks good on Pinterest.

4. Speed Matters

A project that delays your listing by three months costs more than the labor and materials. You’re paying in holding costs, opportunity loss, and market volatility.

Tactical Move: Stick to high-impact, low-delay updates. Paint, lighting, curb appeal. Small changes, fast results.

The Real Objective: Maximize Net, Not Just Appeal

At Salvato & Co., we don’t recommend renovations to win beauty contests. We recommend them to win offers—and retain leverage. Every decision should serve your financial outcome, not your aesthetic impulses.

Want to estimate renovation costs and potential ROI in your area?

If you're considering whether to renovate before selling, The Journal of Light Construction offers a region-specific Cost vs. Value Report—a powerful tool for understanding which upgrades are worth it, and which to skip.

Explore the data here: https://www.jlconline.com