Kitchen and bathroom updates beat pools in resale

• Karen Doering sold a home within days in 2025 by focusing on visible blemishes, new kitchen hardware, new countertops, and updated lighting. She estimates these improvements contributed about $45,000 to the sale price.

  This proves you don't need a gut renovation. Tactical, move-in-ready fixes work faster than major overhauls in a competitive market.

• Edward Wang says that assuming two homes have the same layout and condition, a pool creates 'almost zero' price difference.

  Pools are the classic renovation trap. You spend tens of thousands on something half your buyers won't care about.

• Doering warns against over-renovation where finishes exceed what's typical for the neighbourhood. High-end work might not reflect the price realized.

  Tailoring your home to your taste is the surest way to lose money at resale. Build to the neighbourhood, not to yourself.

• Storage in mudrooms, closets, and pantries can significantly influence buyer perception, according to Doering.

  This is underrated. Buyers are thinking about daily life in the space, and storage answers a real functional question.

“People need to walk in and believe the house is ready to go.”