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I want to talk about something I see homeowners wrestle with all the time. “Should we fix this before we sell?” Maybe it’s the kitchen you’ve wanted to update for years. Maybe the flooring is looking tired. Maybe the backyard needs some attention. Maybe you’ve started making a list of everything you think a future buyer is going to notice. And suddenly, your little “maybe we’ll sell next year” thought has turned into a $30,000 renovation plan. Here’s what I’d encourage you to do first: Pause. Before you spend money on your house, figure out what actually needs to be done. Because there’s a big difference between: “This would make my house nicer.” and “This is something I should probably address before selling.” Those aren’t always the same thing. If you’re staying in your home for another 10 years, a kitchen renovation might make perfect sense because you get to enjoy it. If you’re thinking about selling in the next year or two, the conversation is different. You may be better served by focusing on things like:
And sometimes the answer is: Don’t do anything major. That’s something I think homeowners need to hear more often. You don’t have to remodel your entire house just because you’re thinking about selling. The right improvements depend on the house, the neighborhood, the current market and your timeline. So if selling is somewhere on your radar… You don’t have to make a decision today. But it can be really helpful to have a conversation early. We can look at where your home is today, what buyers are responding to, what I’d prioritize and—just as importantly—what I’d leave alone. No giant renovation checklist. No pressure to list. Just a plan. And if you’re not thinking about selling at all, that’s okay too. Hopefully this is a good reminder that not every home project needs to be a resale project. Your house is allowed to work for you. If you ever want a second opinion on a project you’re considering, I’m always happy to help. — Hannah
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