Planning to sell this spring? While you may be tempted to hold off until the first blooms or the spring showers hit, that’s actually waiting too long to get started by today’s standards.
Buyers have more options than they did a few years ago. So, it’s worth it to tackle repairs now and make sure your house is set up to stand out. Because you don’t want to be caught scrambling right before the spring rush. Or, running out of time to do the work your house really needs.
The key is focusing on updates that actually matter. And that’s exactly where return-on-investment (ROI) data comes in handy.
Which Projects Tend to Pay Off?
Every year, Zonda looks 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.
The green in the chart below shows the updates where sellers have the biggest potential to add value based on that research:
While there’s a wide range of projects represented in this data, the cool part is, some of the top winners aren’t big to-do’s. They’re just swapping out doors.
Small Updates, Big Visual Impact
This goes to show little projects can have a big impact. So, you don’t have to spend a fortune. And you don’t need to tackle everything on this list. But in today’s market, doing nothing can work against you.
Now that buyers have more homes to choose from, a lot of them are going to opt for what’s move-in ready.
The best advice? Focus on what your house needs, whether it’s listed here or not – like the repairs you’ve 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.
Mallory Slesser, Interior designer and Home Stager, explains it to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) this way:
“If you’re 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.”
These seemingly small things help buyers focus on the home itself – not the work they think they’ll have to do after moving in. And that’s paying off for other sellers. Buyers are often willing to spend more on homes that feel well cared for, updated, and move-in ready.
This Chart Is a Starting Point, Not a Strategy
Here’s the important thing to remember. National data like this is a guideline. 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.
That’s why the first step should always be to talk with a local real estate professional before you start.
An experienced agent can help you answer questions like:
- Which updates do buyers in your market expect?
- What can you skip without hurting your sale?
- Where will a small investment make the biggest difference?
- Is it better to update, or sell as-is?
That guidance helps you avoid over-improving and under-preparing.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to sell this spring, you still have time to make updates that help your home stand out – without taking on a full renovation.
If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a local about what makes sense for your house. A quick conversation can help you prioritize the updates that’ll pack the biggest punch.
What’s one upgrade you’ve been thinking about – and wondering if it’s worth it?
After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way.
According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:
Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels.
- When there are more homes for sale, buyers gain time, options, and leverage.
- When there aren’t, the pressure ramps up quickly.
In the years since 2020, there weren’t enough homes for sale, and that made the market feel different. Rushed. Stressful. Intimidating.
But now it’s finally getting better.
A Growing Portion of the Country Is Getting Back to Normal
Depending on where you live, inventory growth is going to vary. Some places are bouncing back faster than others. According to Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, in January 2025, just a little over one year ago, only 41 of the 200 largest metros were back to normal inventory-wise.
But around the end of year, almost half (90) of the largest 200 metro areas were back at or above typical levels. That’s a big improvement in roughly a year. And it’s not done yet.
Inventory Is Expected To Keep Growing
Looking ahead, forecasts suggest the number of homes for sale could rise another 10% this year, which means even more markets should join the list of places where supply has rebounded.
Here’s a graph that shows what an extra 10% would do for the market this year. You can see that projected growth (shown in the dotted line) hits inventory levels seen in 2017-2019 by roughly this fall (the gray lines). That means we may reach normal by end of year, nationally:
And that changes your home search in a good way. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, puts it:
“. . . housing market conditions are gradually rebalancing after several years of extreme seller advantage. Buyers are beginning to see more options and modest negotiating power as inventory improves . . .”
In other words, the market is starting to work with buyers again — not against them.
Bottom Line
Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere. But it’s moving in the right direction. And, in some areas, it’s already there.
If you’ve been waiting for a moment when you have options and a little breathing room, this is the strongest setup buyers have seen in a long time.
Last year, 70% of buyers paused their home search—were you one of them? 🤔 With low inventory, soaring prices, and unpredictable mortgage rates, we don’t blame you! But here’s the good news: the market is shifting in your favor.
📈 More Inventory = More Options
Finding the perfect home was tough when choices were limited. But inventory is up 27.5% since last year! That means more homes to choose from—and if you’re selling, you’ll have better luck finding your next place, too.
🕰️ Homes Are Staying on the Market Longer
Gone are the days of lightning-fast sales. With homes spending about a week longer on the market than last year, you have more time to shop, negotiate, and make the right move—without feeling rushed.
🏡 Is It Your Time to Move?
With more options and less pressure, this could be the perfect time to restart your home search! Let’s chat about what’s happening in our local market.
✨ Debbie & Angie | "Let Our Family Bring Your Family Home" ✨
📲 Call/Text us today! 530-330-3042 / 530-308-2537
#WeBringUHome #FoothillsLiving #MarketUpdate #TimeToMove #SpringRealEstate
🏡🛤️ Buying a home comes with many steps, but don’t worry—Debbie & Angie have your roadmap to homeownership! Let’s connect and get started today—call us now! 📞🔑✨
#HomeBuying 🏠 #BuyAHome 🏡 #WeBringUHome ❤️ #KeepingCurrentMatters 📌
If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, then you’ll want to keep reading.
“How do we know if we’re ready to buy a home?”
“Should we buy a home? It’s a pandemic.”
“Is now really the best time to buy a home?
The thing is: there is no right or wrong answer here. Of course, I am so passionate about homeownership and would love to get you into that dream home. But, the truth is everyone’s situation is unique.
The answer depends on a few things:
➡️ Do you know your credit score?
➡️ Do you have a sense of how much home you can afford (including closing costs)?
➡️ Do you have money saved for a down payment?
➡️ Do you have savings to cover emergency maintenance?
➡️ Do you feel ready to put down roots in a community?
These are the practical considerations. You’ll, of course, want to factor in your employment status, family circumstances, and lifestyle factors too.
If you’re holding off on buying, what is holding you back? Message me anytime if you’d like to talk through different options.
