The best winter projects for this year’s spring sellers

Key insights

• If you plan to sell your home this spring, get a head start now! Focus on interior home improvements this winter so you can avoid feeling stressed once the snow melts.
• The winter is the best time to declutter your house. Pay attention to the items you’re not using and sell, donate or toss them to make staging easier.
• Don’t forget about features buyers will love — make your home more energy efficient, fix up an old bathroom or add new flooring to give your house a boost over other homes in the area.

Hoping to put your home on the market this spring? When the weather is in the single digits, it can be easy to delay the projects needed to list your house in the warmer months.

By sprucing up the interior of your home now, you can minimize the stress of a springtime sale. Here are insights to help you plan your winter home improvement projects.

Get ready to do some work

Get rid of clutter

Before you get started, prep your space. Regardless of what projects you decide to take on, do some decluttering so you have more space to work in. Even with minimally intrusive projects like switching out hardware, a well-organized and decluttered space will serve you well. Plus, winter is a perfect time to pare down your belongings. You’re spending most of your time indoors, so you should know exactly which items are being used and which are collecting dust.

Create a schedule and be strategic

You can’t do everything at once. Make a calendar with your family to determine which projects you’ll schedule and when. It’s a great way to space out disruptions like lacking a second bathroom, helps spread out manpower and spending and gets everyone on the same page. Be sure to factor in any spring break trips or holiday visits.

Prioritize your projects

Since you’re probably spending most of your time inside, you’ll want to start with updates that benefit you most. Working around a clogged sink? Take care of that first. Feeling a draft and sticker shock from your energy bill? Seal up drafts and consider installing a smart thermometer. Planning on heading out over the holidays? Install a security system and automatic lights.

Remember, even though you’re planning on selling, you’re still spending a lot of time in your home right now, so make it as enjoyable as possible.

Keep return on investment (ROI) top of mind

Outside of fixes that need to happen, it’s best to focus on projects that tend to have the highest ROI. There are several reports done by professional organizations that list out which home improvement projects tend to give sellers the best bang for their buck (and which ones don’t), but keep in mind that real estate is hyperlocal and every home is unique. Talk to your REALTORⓇ about what changes will have the biggest impact in your space.

While many of the projects reported in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report require outsourcing work, some can be completed in a day or two and can have a big impact on your bottom line. Other reports, like What Home Buyers Really Want, contain a mix of projects that can be done by yourself or outsourced to others. Take note that some projects, like replacing your front door, might be weather-dependent.

Here are a few bigger projects you might consider tackling in the next few months:

• Add storage
• Replace kitchen appliances
• Repaint cabinets
• Update hardwood flooring
• Create a dedicated laundry space
• Replace your HVAC system

Consider full-room makeovers

Have a space or two that have been neglected over the years or are outdated? Focusing your efforts on high-traffic areas or spaces that are in need of extra attention is another way to approach your winter home projects. Here are a few ideas:

• Turn an abandoned playroom into a home office.
• Finish your basement into a laundry or game room.
• Take your basic guest bath and turn it into a well-functioning oasis for visitors.

Simple updates for big changes

Fast, easy fixes are a great way to give your home a facelift and make it showing-ready. Remember, small changes can make big impacts!

• Paint walls
• Update cabinet hardware
• Work to seal up gaps in the windows or doors so you can retain as much heat as possible.

Want expert help before you sell?

Whether you’re looking for information on your home’s value or insights on which rooms to update before you list your home for sale, our team of local real estate experts can help. Reach out to our customer care team to be matched with a selling specialist in your neighborhood.