1 December 2025

When you decide to sell your home, one question often comes up: which renovations should you do to get the best possible price?

Some improvements are real investments, capable of attracting more buyers and speeding up the sale. Others, however, can be costly without delivering a real return, especially if they do not match buyer expectations in your area or the type of property you own.

Before starting any work, it is essential to set priorities and understand the buyer profile targeting your neighborhood. This article outlines the most profitable renovations to complete before listing your home, with concrete examples, planning tips, and calls to action to help you work with a trusted professional like Yannick Arseneault. You will also find guidance to avoid common pitfalls and maximize every dollar invested.

Should you renovate before selling your home?

Yes, but not just anything. Renovating before selling does not mean redoing everything. The goal is to invest strategically in what most influences buyer perception: appearance, functionality, and perceived value. The idea is to fix elements that could be seen as obstacles to purchase, while avoiding major renovations that are unlikely to pay off in the short term.

Why it’s profitable:

• A well-maintained home reassures buyers about its overall condition and reduces concerns about having to undertake repairs immediately after moving in.
• Targeted renovations (paint, flooring, kitchen, bathroom) can increase the selling price by 5 to 15%, while expanding the pool of buyers looking for a move-in-ready property.
• A move-in-ready home often sells faster and above asking price, as it generates more showings and sometimes even bidding wars.

Tip: start with an assessment of your property’s strengths and weaknesses. Walking through each room as a buyer would helps identify priorities such as odors, visible wear, lack of light, or outdated features.

Contact Yannick Arseneault
for a pre-renovation evaluation. This can help you avoid unnecessary spending and focus on improvements that truly pay off.

Which rooms should you renovate before selling?

Some rooms play a key role in the purchase decision. Buyers more easily picture themselves in bright, functional, and neutral spaces. Here are the most strategic areas, the ones that create an immediate “wow” factor or, on the contrary, a deal-breaker within the first minutes of a visit.

The kitchen: the most profitable investment

• Updating the kitchen remains the strongest value lever, as it is often the most scrutinized and discussed room during showings.
• Refreshing cabinets (paint, new handles), replacing the countertop, adding modern lighting, or installing an updated backsplash can create a “like-new” effect without rebuilding the entire space.
• A kitchen refresh can return up to 80% of the investment at resale and helps buyers immediately envision their future daily life.

The bathroom

• The second most examined room during visits, the bathroom must convey cleanliness, freshness, and functionality.
• Priority actions include replacing grout, updating fixtures, installing a new vanity, and improving lighting to avoid a dark or cramped feel.
• Moderate investment: between $3,000 and $8,000, but with a major impact on perceptions of cleanliness and comfort, especially for families or buyers seeking minimal work after moving in.

Flooring and paint

• A simple floor sanding or replacement can transform the atmosphere of a home and immediately eliminate visible wear or aging.
• Neutral paint (off-white, light gray, soft beige) makes rooms feel larger and brighter, while helping buyers imagine their own decor.
• Low cost, immediate effect: these are often the best time-and-money investments, especially when the budget is limited.

Doors and windows

• Buyers worry about energy loss; newer windows provide reassurance and reduce the risk of price negotiations related to future replacement costs.
• They also improve energy efficiency, a strong selling point at a time when heating and cooling costs are closely examined.

Low-budget renovations to increase a home’s value

Not all renovations require major investments. Some simple improvements create a decisive first impression as soon as buyers arrive at the driveway or entryway. They are ideal for sellers with limited budgets who still want to maximize perceived value.