{"id":363,"date":"2026-01-21T11:49:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T17:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/?p=363"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:49:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T17:49:04","slug":"home-updates-that-actually-pay-you-back-when-you-sell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/?p=363","title":{"rendered":"Home Updates That Actually Pay You Back When You Sell"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"pt-8 px-8\">\n<h2 class=\"profile-color-text text-3xl\">Home Updates That Actually Pay You Back When You Sell<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><time class=\"text-base-content\" datetime=\"2026-01-19T11:30:00Z\">Monday January 19th, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div>.<\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/sellers\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">For Sellers,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/featured\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Featured,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/selling-tips\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Selling Tips<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div>.<\/div>\n<div>Article from Keeping Current Matters<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p-6 px-8\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex gap-1 flex-wrap w-fit sm:w-full my-4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 flex flex-col gap-4 mb-8\">\n<div class=\"mb-2\">\n<p>Planning to sell this spring? While you may be tempted to hold off until the first blooms or the spring showers hit, that&#8217;s actually waiting too long to get started by today\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/2025\/12\/17\/is-buyer-demand-picking-back-up-what-sellers-should-know\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\"><strong>Buyers<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0have more options than they did a few years ago. So, it&#8217;s worth it to tackle repairs now and make sure your house is set up to stand out.\u00a0<\/strong>Because you don\u2019t want to be caught scrambling right before the spring rush. Or, running out of time to do the work your house really needs.<\/p>\n<p>The key is focusing on updates that actually matter. And that\u2019s exactly where return-on-investment (ROI) data comes in handy.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Which Projects Tend to Pay Off?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Every year,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jlconline.com\/cost-vs-value\/2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Zonda<\/em><\/a>\u00a0looks at which home improvements deliver the most bang for the buck when you go to sell the home. And the results can be a little surprising.<\/p>\n<p>The green in the chart below shows the updates where sellers have the biggest potential to add value based on that research:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260113\/20260119-Home-Projects-with-the-Highest-ROI-original.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260113\/20260119-Home-Projects-with-the-Highest-ROI-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph of a company\" \/><\/a>While there&#8217;s a wide range of projects represented in this data, the cool part is, some of the top winners aren\u2019t big to-do&#8217;s. They\u2019re just swapping out doors.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Small Updates, Big Visual Impact<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>This goes to show little projects can have a big impact. So, you don\u2019t have to spend a fortune. And you don\u2019t need to tackle everything on this list. But in today\u2019s market, doing\u00a0<em>nothing<\/em>\u00a0can work against you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Now that buyers have more homes to choose from, a lot of them are going to opt for what\u2019s move-in ready.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The best advice? Focus on what your house needs, whether it\u2019s listed here or not \u2013 like the repairs you\u2019ve been putting off. A front door or shutters in need of a little TLC. Piles of leaves in the yard. Scuffed up paint where your kids play inside. Those details matter too.<\/p>\n<p>Mallory Slesser, Interior designer and Home Stager,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nardotrealtor\/status\/1983638764011262020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">explains<\/a>\u00a0it to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) this way:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cIf you\u2019re looking for affordable updates that pack a punch, dollar for dollar, I would say painting; changing out light fixtures; changing out hardware; maybe new draperies or window treatments. Those are all cost-effective ways to make a big statement. It really changes the space.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>These seemingly small things help buyers focus on the home itself \u2013 not the work they think they\u2019ll have to do after moving in. And that\u2019s paying off for other sellers. Buyers are often willing to spend more on homes that feel well cared for, updated, and move-in ready.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>This Chart Is a Starting Point, Not a Strategy<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s the important thing to remember. National data like this is a guideline.\u00a0<\/strong>Buyer preferences are going to vary by location, price point, and even neighborhood. That means a project that boosts value in one area might be unnecessary (or even overkill) in yours.<\/p>\n<p><strong>That\u2019s why the first step should always be to talk with a local real estate professional before you start.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An experienced agent can help you answer questions like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Which updates do buyers in your market expect?<\/li>\n<li>What can you skip without hurting your sale?<\/li>\n<li>Where will a small investment make the biggest difference?<\/li>\n<li>Is it better to update, or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/2026\/01\/07\/thinking-about-selling-your-house-as-is-read-this-first\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">sell as-is<\/a>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That guidance helps you avoid over-improving\u00a0<em>and<\/em>\u00a0under-preparing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl mb-2\">Bottom Line<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to sell this spring, you still have time to make updates that help your home stand out \u2013 without taking on a full renovation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re not sure where to start, let\u2019s talk through what makes sense for your house.\u00a0<\/strong>A quick conversation can help you prioritize the updates that\u2019ll pack the biggest punch.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s one upgrade you\u2019ve been thinking about \u2013 and wondering if it\u2019s worth it? Give me a call for more information!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"293\" data-end=\"364\"><strong data-start=\"293\" data-end=\"321\">Twila Bertrand, REALTOR\u00ae<\/strong><br data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"324\" \/>CENTURY 21 Cota Realty \u2013 Lufkin, Texas<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"366\" data-end=\"707\">Helping buyers and sellers confidently navigate the East Texas real estate market is more than my career\u2014it\u2019s my passion. As a trusted and experienced <strong data-start=\"517\" data-end=\"591\">Realtor\u00ae in Lufkin Tx, Huntington Tx, and surrounding East Texas communities<\/strong>, I specialize in residential homes, acreage, new construction, waterfront properties, and investment real estate.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"962\">If you\u2019re searching for the <strong data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"773\">best real estate agent in Lufkin<\/strong>, a knowledgeable <strong data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"816\">Huntington TX Realtor<\/strong>, or a local expert who understands the unique East Texas market, I would be honored to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1171\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>Serving Lufkin, Huntington, Diboll, Pollok, Nacogdoches, and all of East Texas<\/strong><br data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1048\" \/><strong>\ud83c\udf10 Website: <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1060\" data-end=\"1097\">https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1100\" \/><strong>\ud83d\udcde Call or Text: 936-208-7631<\/strong><br data-start=\"1136\" data-end=\"1139\" \/><strong>\ud83d\udce7 Email: twilabertrand@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1304\"><em data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1304\">Twila Bertrand is a top-producing and Award Winning REALTOR\u00ae with CENTURY 21 Cota Realty, proudly serving buyers and sellers throughout East Texas.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1304\"><strong>Click the link below to my Zillow website with tons of client testimonials!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1304\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zillow.com\/profile\/Twila%20Bertrand\">https:\/\/www.zillow.com\/profile\/Twila%20Bertrand<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home Updates That Actually Pay You Back When You Sell Monday January 19th, 2026 . For Sellers,Featured,Selling Tips . Article from Keeping Current Matters Planning to sell this spring? While you may be tempted to hold off until the first blooms or the spring showers hit, that&#8217;s actually waiting too long to get started by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194391,"featured_media":364,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[89,105,141,31,50,55,170,171,172,39,15,41,85,168,46,58,169],"class_list":["post-363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate","tag-best-realtor","tag-best-realtor-in-lufkin","tag-best-realtor-in-lufkin-tx","tag-buying-facts","tag-buying-smart","tag-expert-advice","tag-home-repairs","tag-home-updates","tag-market-value","tag-real-estate-trends","tag-realtor","tag-savvy-investment","tag-sellers-agent","tag-sellers-tips","tag-trust-the-pros","tag-trusted-realtor","tag-understanding-home-value"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/194391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=363"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":365,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/363\/revisions\/365"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}