02.10.2023 | Selling A Home

Home Renovations to Avoid When Selling

Share This Post:

Are you thinking about selling your home in the near future? It’s a big decision, and planning and preparation will help you make the most of it. As you walk from one room to another, you may start to think about making certain updates before your list date. It certainly makes sense to do so! 

Some renovations and updates can cost very little compared with how much more you will earn when your house sells. However, these are not choices that you should make lightly. Surprisingly, some upgrades won’t add to your sales value at all. Others could even devalue your home. What are those projects that it’s best to avoid? Nothing is written in stone when it comes to Toronto real estate, but these guidelines will help:

Create Clear Goals and Expectations

Before undertaking a significant home improvement project, ask yourself a simple question. Who is this renovation for? Is it for your own comfort and enjoyment? Then perhaps it’s worth the cost, but not if you plan on moving in the next few months.

If your goal is to add value to your sale, then emotions cannot play a role in your decision. You should do extensive market research to determine what most potential buyers are looking for before spending time upgrading your home. Otherwise, an update that you think is beautiful might be the first thing the new owner rips out!


Understanding the local market is always essential to a successful sale. The posts below will help:


Are Your Upgrades Timeless or Trendy? 

Some improvements are timeless and always add perceived value to any house. For example, you can never go wrong with a thorough declutter or a fresh coat of paint. Those minor updates helped sell houses 20 years ago and likely always will. However, other trends come and go. A home decor style that is all the rage today could be outdated within a few years or even months. 

When preparing your house for sale, always choose those timeless updates rather than investing in passing fads.

What Is Your House Currently Worth?

A detailed CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) will give you a close estimate of how much your house may be worth as-is in the current market. Why is this important? Knowing where you stand from the beginning is the foundation of all your research. A CMA factors in the age of your home, its size, location, and compares it to other similar properties in your neighbourhood. This knowledge will help you set an attractive price for your home that will gain maximum exposure from potential buyers. 

It also guides you on how much you should invest in home improvements and what projects will impact your bottom line most. 

Did you know that we offer free home evaluations to give you a head start when selling your home? Get yours today with no obligation right here.

Low Value–and No Value–Home Upgrades to Avoid 

With the above guidelines in mind, let’s look at what specific home improvement projects you may want to bypass when selling. It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact renovations to avoid because the market changes rapidly, and every buyer is different. That said, these examples nearly always hold true:

DIY projects: Unless you’re an experienced contractor, your do-it-yourself renovations can be beautiful on the surface but fail to impress a discerning buyer. Hiring professionals might seem expensive, but it is far more likely to add tangible value when offers start rolling in.

Swimming pools: Everyone has their preferences. However, as a rule, installing a swimming pool rarely adds much–or anything at all–to your resale value. Your family may enjoy hours of summer fun. However, what happens if your potential buyer is a family of non-swimmers? The option of a pool is usually best left to the new owner.

Solar panels: Everyone wants to go green, but few people are actually willing to pay more for a home with solar panels than one without.

Expensive appliances: Quality is essential, but paying top dollar for the latest and greatest updates in modern appliances is likely not worthwhile.

Going overboard with renovations: Giving your home a facelift is one thing. Adding a massive addition or second level on a street filled with bungalows is something else altogether. Living in the most expensive house in the neighbourhood may be fun, but it’s not something many people are willing to pay extra for.

Too many custom features: A little creativity can add a touch of style and flair to your home. However, too many customizations can alienate the majority of potential buyers.


Now that you have a better idea of what to avoid, here are some things you can do that actually will add value to your sale:


Consult With a Local Real Estate Agent

Deciding what upgrades to make and what to leave can be confusing, especially during a shifting market like we have seen in the past few months. You should always consult your real estate agent before committing to a substantial overhaul. A local agent will have their pulse on the current market and will be able to guide you through what upgrades will have the most significant impact.

Avoiding low-value renovations can save you vast amounts of money while still enjoying the best results from your sale. But it isn’t just about the money. Knowing what to avoid will allow you to enjoy a faster sale with far less effort and stress.

Do you want more detailed guidance about preparing your home for sale in the current market? We live, breathe, and sleep Toronto real estate and will be happy to start you off in the right direction. Reach out today at  ERICA@ERICAREDDY.COM or call 416.443.0300 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Meet The Erica Reddy Team

Find out how our specialized skill sets and extensive Toronto market expertise empower your real estate venture.

Get To Know Us