If you’re anything like me, then you don’t just have a “to-do list.” You have a whole to-do book. And some days, the book has you. 

You review your grocery lists (multiple because the brands you love are divided between three different stores), lists of household tasks, your kid’s basketball schedule, and quarterly goals that feel just out of reach. With everything else going on, nothing screams “Backburner!” like home renovations.

For all the time, effort, and cash required to upgrade your house, it often seems easier to pack up and move. If you started planning today, you could be settled into your new place by the start of the year… which is more than you can say for your old kitchen once you whip out the power tools.

Or is it?

Yes, home renovations can be a massive time suck, but if you take them on one at a time, they’re both manageable and exciting. Is it challenging to go without a fully functional master bathroom for a month? For sure. But will you feel a great sense of pride when you use your shiny new bathtub for the first time? Absolutely.

Even if you are planning a move, I recommend knocking out some home renovations before winter. The reality is that you can’t sell your house “as is” and get top dollar anymore. I reiterate this to my clients all the time. Homes in Lincoln are in demand and selling relatively quickly, but if you want to maximize the offers you’re bound to receive, upgrades will make an impact.

(And let’s face it: inflation is out here kicking butt and taking names. If several weeks of renovation can increase the value of your home exponentially, it’s worth it to enhance your space.)

I’ve got your back if you’re unsure where to begin. This doesn’t need to be complicated! Here are my top four suggestions:

1. Enhance your outdoor space. Consider picking up any sticks or twigs, cutting back your bushes, and running a broom over your front stoop. Better yet, give your entryway a good power washing! This area of your home sets the stage for every showing, so be sure to make a good first impression.

2. Make it neutral. I often see homes that are cluttered with photos and other memorabilia. This is great if you’re planning to live in your house for the next 20 years, but if you want it to sell, I recommend boxing up these items. (You’re moving anyway, so this gets you ahead of the game!) You want potential buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home, and removing your personal photos and knick-knacks will help with that. (Just be sure to patch up the walls when you’re done!)

3. Clean up your “catch-all” room. We all have one, so don’t try to hide it! Your catch-all room is the place where you drop everything so you can “get to it later.” For a lot of my clients, this winds up being a spare bedroom, which, when clean, is a huge selling point for many people. It’s worth it to carve out a Saturday afternoon and pack things up/donate them/throw them away.

4. Clear your countertops. Cluttered kitchens are no better than cluttered walls and shelves. In fact, they’re a bit worse because people expect kitchens to be functional and clean. Enhance your space by sticking your small kitchen appliances in the cupboards, including your blender, teapot, toaster, stand mixer… and anything else that fits.

If your to-do list is cursing me, I get it. Home renovations aren’t the most fun you can have on a weekend. But as a realtor, I’ve seen the ROI more times than I can count. When you make changes like these, you’re investing in so much more than a house. You’re investing in your life.

I’m always honest with my clients—no sugarcoating—so here’s the bottom line:

We spend about 60% of our waking hours at home. It should be a sanctuary.

And in my experience, when your house becomes a haven, you feel more at peace. Potential buyers are looking for that feeling, too, and these small changes can help them get there (so you can enhance your new abode as you see fit!).