Industry professionals said highly personalized upgrades and DIY projects often fail to deliver the resale boost sellers expect and may delay a home from reaching the market.

With rising costs, labor shortages and project delays, pre-listing renovations are becoming more complicated for home sellers, according to a new report by RISMedia. Experts say many sellers underestimate how quickly permitting issues, contractor problems and unexpected repairs can derail timelines and budgets.

The report also pushes back on several common renovation myths, including the belief that every remodel automatically boosts home value or that DIY projects always save money.

Instead, an expert told RISMedia that sellers should focus on practical, broadly appealing updates and work with experienced professionals to avoid costly mistakes and delays.

Industry experts noted that kitchens, bathrooms and safety-related improvements often provide the strongest return, while overly personalized upgrades may not pay off at resale.

The findings highlight the growing importance of helping sellers make strategic renovation decisions before listing. In a more competitive market with rising inventory in some areas, sellers should consider which projects are worth the investment, which repairs buyers are likely to notice and how renovation timelines could affect listing strategy and pricing expectations.

Source: RISMedia

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