5 Home Upgrades To Get a Better Price for Your House in 2026
When selling your home, you obviously want to get the best price, and certain upgrades can enhance its appeal to buyers. But tackling major projects before selling can be a hassle, time-consuming and costly, so knowing which improvements are worth making and which aren't is key.
"Upgrades that would be considered normal upgrades will not necessarily increase value compared to comps,” said Andy Gibbs, Founder of RemodX and Remodeling Expert.
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With that in mind, if you’re putting your house on the market this year, here are the five upgrades to consider according to real estate experts.
1. Give the Kitchen an Updated Look
The kitchen can make or break a buyer’s decision. Most want an updated look and feel, but a full renovation may not be worth the investment immediately before a sale.
"Just refacing or painting the cabinets, adding new hardware, a mid-grade stone counter, and matching appliances makes all the difference to the average home buyer," said Mike Plactere, owner of We Buy Long Island Homes Fast and a licensed New York real estate agent.
Cameron Walker, real estate expert and manager of the agent network at Clever Real Estate, agrees that kitchens are one of the areas buyers scrutinize most. He said sellers who update cabinets, countertops, fixtures and lighting can see a 1% to 3% return on their investment.
But that doesn’t mean you have to gut the entire kitchen. Alex Rodino, a Savannah, Georgia, Realtor and founder of The ARC Platform, said that it’s important to close the “gap between a kitchen that needs work and one that is move-in ready against the other houses that the buyer is checking out.”
That comparison is a game changer.
"I would not rip out a functioning kitchen three months before selling just because the cabinets aren't somebody's favorite color," he said.
2. Paint the Interior and Exterior
A new coat of neutral paint can make a home look cleaner and more modern without the cost of a major renovation. According to the National Association of Realtors, painting is worth the expense because it can increase the selling price by 10% or up to $20,000.
Dell Jeanty, a Northern Virginia Realtor with Dell Residential Group, said the benefit goes beyond appearance. "A fresh coat of paint creates a welcoming environment, makes an excellent first impression and gives the home a refreshing smell."
3. Improve Curb Appeal
A well-manicured exterior can grab the attention of the buyer immediately and boost the asking price.
"Buyers start forming an opinion before they ever walk inside, and then they spend the showing looking for evidence that their first impression was right," Rodino said.
Walker estimates curb-appeal improvements can support a 1% to 2% increase in what sellers ask while potentially increasing the number of showings. But according to Gibbs, “some sod and Home Depot plants and two weekends will make a $10,000 difference.”
4. Spring for a New Roof (Before Spring)
A new roof comes with a hefty price tag. Size, materials and labor determine the cost, but the average price is $4 to $11 per square foot, according to Angi. While that’s a significant repair, it absolutely makes a property more desirable, particularly when the existing roof is near the end of its life.
Jeanty said replacing a roof can return roughly 60% to 100% of its cost in direct home value while reducing a buyer's concern about having to replace it soon after moving in.
Still, a new roof isn't necessarily about getting more money for your home. If the roof is already a concern, replacing it may help you avoid a price reduction or make the property easier to sell.
5. Fix Problems Buyers Will Notice
The little things you’ve been putting off fixing matter to buyers. Repairs to damaged doors, broken fixtures, bad caulking, rotten trim, leaks and other maintenance issues make a difference.
Walker calls these "major annoyances" because fixing them isn't necessarily about adding value — it's about preventing buyers from negotiating the price down.
For older homes, Plactere recommends going a step further and addressing potential inspection problems before listing. He said buyers frequently negotiate over items such as roofs, boilers and electrical panels. Footing the bill for upgrades on a home you’re not going to live in can be tough to justify, but if you make the right improvements, the investment could make you more money in the long run.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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