To Update or Not to Update: A Practical Guide for Homeowners with The Sherman Team at NextHome Foundations

Home updates can be exciting — but they can also be expensive, time‑consuming, and sometimes disappointing if the return doesn’t match the investment. Before you pick up a paintbrush or hire a contractor, it’s important to understand why you’re updating, what buyers actually care about, and how to avoid spending money in the wrong places.

Stick with us through this guide — by the end, you’ll have a clear framework for deciding which updates are worth it, which ones can wait, and how to make choices that protect your home’s value.

This is the most important question.

Updates made for comfort are very different from updates made for profit.

If your goal is:

-to enjoy your home

-to personalize your space

-to improve functionality

…then updates can be incredibly rewarding.

But if your goal is:

-to make quick money

-to raise your sale price beyond what the market supports

-to “force” equity

…then we need to proceed with caution.

Outside of the unusual appreciation window from the late 2010s to 2022, most homes take years to build equity. Updates don’t automatically translate into higher sale prices — especially if nearby comparable homes don’t support the number you have in mind. 

It's hard sometimes too because there is a lot of misinformation out there in the form of people who may door knock and hit you with the

"this is gonna add equity to your house"

line when they're trying to sell you solar panels or windows or such.  We have to remember that they are not realtors and their job is not to watch the local market.

If you’re unsure how updates might affect your long‑term value, our Understanding Your Home Equity guide breaks down how equity actually builds over time.

This is where many homeowners get surprised.

Buyers tend to value:

-fresh paint

-updated flooring

-clean, functional kitchens

-modern bathrooms

-curb appeal

-well‑maintained systems

But buyers may not pay extra for:

-highly personalized design choices

-luxury style upgrading where the neighborhood doesn't have anything comparable 

-niche materials or colors

-updates that don’t match the home’s price point

Even beautifully updated homes can receive feedback like:

“I don’t like the carpet.”

“The paint color isn’t my style.”

“It still feels dated.”

You simply cannot please everyone — and that’s okay. And it's better to know before you spend money on an update that may not be necessary after a second look.

Updates should also match what’s typical for your neighborhood. Over‑improving can make it harder to recover your investment.

If you’re updating with a future sale in mind, our Selling Guide explains what today’s buyers look for and how to prepare your home strategically.

Some of the most valuable updates are the cost-effective ones you can do yourself:

-installing new flooring

-adding shelving

-refreshing landscaping

-building a deck

-updating light fixtures

-improving storage

-painting interior walls

These projects add appeal without the heavy cost of hiring out. They also give you the satisfaction of improving your home with your own hands — one of the best parts of homeownership.

For more practical, budget‑friendly projects that protect your home’s condition, our Home Improvement Guide covers the essentials.

Maintenance is not optional — and it’s not the same as updating.

Examples:

servicing your furnace

maintaining your AC

checking your water heater

Replacing HVAC filters timely 

cleaning out your sewer line

repairing leaks

replacing worn‑out components

addressing safety issues

If these items are neglected, they can work against you when it’s time to sell. Buyers and inspectors will notice — and deferred maintenance can overshadow even the nicest cosmetic updates. Greeley has an incredibly diverse mix of home ages — from brand‑new builds to homes several decades old — and the right updates depend heavily on the age and condition of your home.

Some updates — like electrical, roofing, or plumbing — can also affect your insurance options and premiums.

If you want a clear breakdown of the most important maintenance tasks, our Home Improvement Guide walks you through what to prioritize.

Maintenance also affects your insurance options, which we explain in our Homeowners Insurance Guide.

We’ve shown many many homes where the homeowners spend money updating their homes and then end up receiving the same feedback they were trying to avoid.

Why?

Because:

-buyers have different tastes

-trends change quickly

-updates don’t guarantee higher offers

-the market sets the ceiling, not the seller

-some buyers prefer to update things themselves

Updates can help your home show better — but they don’t guarantee a specific price or outcome.

It’s completely normal to feel frustrated when updates don’t land the way you hoped — buyers’ tastes vary more than most people expect.  This is why it's important to ask yourself why first.  

Updates can help your home show better, but the market ultimately sets the ceiling — something we break down in our Understanding Your Home Equity guide

This is where we come in.

We regularly walk through homes with sellers who are considering updates. We look at:

-the current condition

-the neighborhood

-comparable sales

-buyer expectations

-the likely return on each project

Sometimes the answer is:

“Absolutely — this update will help.”

Other times the answer is:

“You don’t need to spend that money.”

And occasionally:

“This update may not change any future feedback you may get.”

We’ve saved homeowners thousands of dollars simply by helping them avoid updates that wouldn’t have changed buyer feedback.

If you’re considering updates because you may sell soon, our Selling Guide explains how to prepare your home without overspending

Before you spend money on updates — especially big ones — reach out to us. We can walk through your home, listen to your goals, and give you an honest, pressure‑free opinion on which updates are worth it and which ones won’t move the needle. Every home is different, and a quick consultation can help you avoid costly mistakes and focus on what truly matters.

If you’re unsure whether to update your home, hold off, or simply maintain what you have, reach out to us. We’ve helped countless homeowners make smart, strategic decisions that protect their equity and avoid unnecessary expenses. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just want guidance for the future, we’re here to help you make the right call with confidence