If you’re getting ready to sell your home in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin, one of the biggest questions you might be asking is: Should I renovate before selling?

It’s a great question — and the answer depends on your home’s condition, your budget, and what buyers in your area are looking for. Let’s break it down so you can make the best decision for your situation.

1. Understand Your Local Market

In areas like Grayslake, McHenry, Lake Villa, Kenosha, and Milwaukee, buyers are often drawn to homes that feel fresh, clean, and move-in ready — but that doesn’t always mean a full remodel is necessary.

Sometimes, simple updates like painting, replacing old hardware, and improving curb appeal can go a long way toward increasing your home’s value.

Our team at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes studies local market trends every week. We’ll help you decide which updates today’s buyers actually care about — and which projects might not deliver a return.

2. Focus on High-ROI Projects

Not all renovations are created equal. Some home improvements consistently bring higher returns when you sell:

• Fresh, neutral interior paint

• Updated light fixtures and hardware

• Landscaping or exterior touch-ups

• Kitchen or bathroom refreshes (not full remodels)

• Professional deep cleaning and staging

These projects make your home feel updated without over-investing right before selling.

3. Avoid Over-Renovating

It’s easy to think major upgrades will attract higher offers, but in many cases, sellers in Lake County IL, McHenry County IL, or Kenosha County WI don’t need to go that far.

If your updates don’t match what similar homes in your area are selling for, you may not see a return on that investment.

Our team will walk through your home, compare it to current market listings, and give you honest guidance on what’s worth doing — and what’s not.

4. Consider Pre-Sale Staging Instead of Major Renovations

In many situations, professional staging can make a bigger impact than a renovation. A well-staged home photographs beautifully, helps buyers visualize themselves living there, and can even lead to faster, higher-priced offers.

We include staging recommendations and marketing advice as part of our full-service listing plan for every Star Home Team client.

5. Get Expert Advice Before You Spend

Before you hire a contractor or start tearing out tile, talk to an experienced local real estate professional. At The Star Home Team, we’ll give you a realistic, data-driven opinion about whether renovations will truly help your home sell faster — or if small, strategic updates are enough.

Ready to Sell? Let’s Make a Plan.

Every home — and every seller — is unique. Let’s sit down and create a custom selling strategy that fits your goals, timeline, and budget.

Contact The Star Home Team at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes to schedule your free home consultation today. Call or text 847-548-2625.

We proudly serve Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, including Grayslake, McHenry, Lake Villa, Antioch, Lake Geneva, Milwaukee and Kenosha.