News & Trending Mortgage & Loans News

12 Upgrades Realtors Swear Are Worthless and Just Waste Your Money

Two experts share how you can save time and money by skipping these non-beneficial update mistakes.

By Stacy Garrels

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Getting your home ready to sell often means tackling the dreaded upgrades you’ve put off in a bid to make top dollar. While some minor changes can make a difference, not all of them will help you to make extra money.

To learn more, we talked to two experts who each hold over a decade of industry experience, and both have words of caution when it comes to minor home updates that are better left untouched, as many small flourishes add very little (if any) value, waste time, and could harm your home’s overall market appeal.

Here are a few upgrades you can skip when getting ready to sell your home.

Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique

The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.

A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.

If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds,see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)

Closets updos

walk in closet with stylish female clothes

According to Jennifer Okhovat, a realtor with Compass in West Hollywood who sells real estate in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area, closet redos are a common mistake. Many sellers make upgrades when a simple clean-up or new coat of paint would save time and appeal to more buyers.

“Closets are very specific to whoever is using them, " says Okhovat, and in her experience, buyers will not pay more for custom closets.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

New organization systems

organized pantry shelves filled with jars of dry goods

Many sellers will deck out their closets, pantries, and other nooks and crannies with organizers to give the allure of ample storage space. While some buyers may appreciate the extra shelving and hanging rods, organization systems are another upgrade that Okhovat says is not worth the time or money.

Let the buyers customize storage to their needs, and save the trip to The Container Store for your next house.

Painting walls a trendy color

While it’s tempting to pick a bold or trendy shade to refresh your walls, this can backfire. Buyers often prefer muted tones like white, grey, or cream that provide a blank slate for their own vision.

If you’re repainting, Daniel Cabrera, owner and founder of Sell My House Fast SA TX, recommends sticking to a neutral palette. Otherwise, just let buyers personalize the space after they move in.

Get a free stock valued between $5 to $200

Secret: You don't need thousands of dollars to buy thousand-dollar stocks or create a diverse portfolio.

Robinhood offers a method of investing called “fractional shares.” On its own, one share of a single stock could cost a lot of money, making it difficult to diversify. Robinhood allows you to buy pieces of stock instead, so you have the option to build a diverse portfolio quickly.

Let’s say you want to invest $250, as an example.

With that amount, you could build a relatively diverse portfolio with an investment of $50 in a big tech stock, $50 in a retail stock, $50 in an energy stock, $50 in a manufacturing stock, and $50 in a bank.¹ This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. To get stock reward, new customers need to sign up, get approved, and link their bank account. Stock rewards shares cannot be sold until 3 trading days after the reward is granted and the cash value of the stock rewards may not be withdrawn for 30 days after the reward is claimed. Stock rewards not claimed within 60 days may expire. See full terms and conditions at <a href="https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/open-account-pick-your-stock/">rbnhd.co/freestock</a>. Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement. Robinhood Gold is offered through Robinhood Financial LLC and is a membership offering premium services available for a fee.

Even better news? Add a Robinhood Gold membership, and you’ll get access to 4.25% (as of 11/15/24) APY² Annual Percentage Yield. Rate valid as of April 12, 2024. To earn interest, a cash balance is needed. If you have a margin balance, there is no cash balance to earn interest. Interest rates for cash sweep and margin investing can change at any time. Fees may reduce interest earnings. on your uninvested cash³ Interest is earned on uninvested cash swept from your brokerage account to partner banks. Partner banks pay interest on your swept cash, minus any fees paid to Robinhood. As of Nov 15, 2023, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) that you will receive is 1.5%, or 5% for Gold customers. The APY might change at any time at the partner banks' or Robinhood's discretion. Additionally, any fees Robinhood receives may vary and are subject to change. Neither Robinhood Financial LLC nor any of its affiliates are banks. All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible. Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer. and the ability to buy and sell stocks 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Open and fund a Robinhood account and earn up to $200 in stock

Replacing cabinet hardware with bold touches

Swapping out cabinet knobs and pulls can be a quick way to modernize a kitchen, but opting for bold or trendy hardware might alienate buyers.

Cabrera advises caution when it comes to wallpaper, decorative elements, or other such accents. “These minor renovations can conflict with a buyer's taste and make spaces appear too tailored, which reduces the appeal of the house,” he says.

Minimalist or neutral options are safe bets. Cabrera suggests champagne bronze hardware, as it's popular and can be purchased affordably on Amazon.

Installing open shelving

The open shelving trend may be on its way out in 2025.

While it has a beautiful, airy look that some buyers love, it can often be impractical. Closed doors offer more storage, cleaner lines (less visual clutter), and protect mugs from errant, flying toys — not to mention cooking oil splattering all over your clean dishes.

Installing open shelves is another style-specific choice that could be off-putting to buyers who may find it less functional and see dollar signs where cabinet doors once hung.

Updating window treatments

No one wants to list their home with dusty old blinds and dated window treatments. If they are an eyesore, Cabrea says to skip cleaning or replacing them and instead “just remove them altogether.”

These older fixtures “can date a space or leave it in darkness,” Cabrera notes, and cleaning them or replacing them is a waste of time. “Let natural light seep through into the space.”

Grow Your $$: 11 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40

Adding a bold accent wall

Accent walls in dramatic colors or patterns can be polarizing. The trend has been on its way out for a while, according to designers, and the concept only works if expertly executed.

Some buyers may only see the color as extra work needed for a paint job, and according to Cabrera, “Painting over bold murals or accent walls is a must.”

A neutral, cohesive wall color is a safer, broad-appeal bet. And why wouldn’t you save such bold, personal expression for your next home?

Replacing appliances with bold finishes

Brightly colored or unconventional appliances may be trendy, but they could alienate buyers who favor classic stainless steel or panel-ready designs that match existing cabinetry and layout.

These changes run counter to Cabrera’s advice on simplicity. He cautions anything “can conflict with a buyer's taste and make spaces appear too tailored” will reduce your house’s appeal.

Buyers want kitchens that feel timeless, cohesive, and easy to personalize — not a space they’ll feel pressured to re-update.

Installing trendy wallpaper

Maximalist wallpaper might reflect your personality, but it rarely aligns with a buyer’s vision, since many see wallpaper as a sin worse than ugly paint colors.

If the seller has the time or budget, Cabrera strongly advises its removal. “Wallpaper often makes a home feel outdated, and buyers start to question the age of other major systems, like the HVAC, roof, or water heater.”

Earn up to a $300 bonus and grow your money with up to 4.00% APY

This powerful combination checking + savings account from SoFi® allows you to earn up to a $300 bonus with direct deposit and grow your money with up to 4.00% APY.⁴ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Direct Deposit can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.00% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Direct Deposit will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of Dec. 3, 2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>

This is one of the top accounts we’ve seen, and offers like this can be rare. You work hard, and now it’s time to make your money work for you — with SoFi, you can grow your money with hardly any effort!

SoFi has no account or overdraft fees⁵ Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with direct deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A.  The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY.  Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage. and additional FDIC insurance up to $2 million on deposits is available through a seamless network of participating banks.⁶ We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a> ⁷ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $2M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/terms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/terms</a> See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/receivingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/receivingbanks</a> Plus, you can receive your paycheck up to 2 days early.⁸ Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

How to earn up to $300: Sign up and make a direct deposit within the first 25 calendar days of the promotional period, then collect a $300 cash bonus with a direct deposit of $5,000 or more.

SoFi is a Member, FDIC. ⁷ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $2M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/terms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/terms</a> See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/receivingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/receivingbanks</a>

Open your SoFi account and set up direct deposit

Removing functional furnishings

Minimalism is appealing, and so is shoving all your furniture and belongings into storage to get it out of the way. But overdoing it on decluttering or pre-moving can leave a space feeling cold or uninviting.

You need enough furniture to stage your home, highlighting how rooms function without stripping them of warmth or comfort.

Cabrera believes staging any home is priceless. He notes that furnishings and decor can help buyers fall in love with your home and overlook minor flaws.

During final walkthroughs Cabrera says that buyers can sometimes feel disappointed by the sight of an empty house, since the earlier staging helped them to create an “emotional connection to the property.”

Cheap updates

Not everything old or ugly needs to be updated. Installing budget lighting fixtures and hardware may seem like an upgrade, but Cabrera cautions against it, saying that buyers can usually tell when something is not good quality.

Instead, he says the seller’s aim “should be to show the home clean and uncluttered” rather than filled with cheap upgrades.

Partial remodels

Redoing only a part of the kitchen or bathroom is another makeover mistake that Okhovat warns buyers to steer clear of, since partial upgrades are not worth the time or effort.

“It's my professional opinion to go all out and do it all,” she says. “Otherwise, buyers may question the integrity of the ‘remodel’ and what other things have been left incomplete in the home.”

Supercharge your investments: See what could happen if you add fine art to your investment portfolio

Bottom line

When preparing your home for sale, not all upgrades are worth the investment. Focus on creating a clean, neutral space that allows buyers to envision their own style and future in the home.

By skipping unnecessary updates — like bold paint colors, trendy fixtures, and partial cosmetic updates — you can save time and money for what matters most, like coming up with ways to help pay for your mortgage or building a rainy day fund.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Build passive income with shares of rental homes

Ark7 - Real Estate Investing Benefits

Invest in cash-flow-generating, professionally managed rental properties without having to buy the whole property
Sell shares at will at no cost
3% sourcing fee and 8-15% monthly management fee
$20 minimum investment
Ark7 investors have earned 5%+ annualized distributions from monthly income alone⁹ The 5%+ return is the portfolio average and is based on figures since Q4 2022.

Get started