No matter your budget, there's always an upgrade or two that'll up the resale ante.

Whether your home improvements are for you or potential buyers, consider their impact on your home’s potential resale price before picking up your toolbox (or the phone to call a contractor).

A brand-new kitchen or bathroom will undoubtedly wow potential buyers, but there’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the money you put into those pricey renovations.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate the choices that lead to the best return on investment.

Kitchen renovations
Renovating the kitchen is always the biggest way to add value to your home. People love to cook, and everyone tends to gather in the kitchen. If you add seating, such as an island with barstools, buyers really love that.

A full remodel is a major investment, but smaller projects make a big difference if you can’t — or don’t want to — go all out. Nicer appliances really stick out to potential buyers — even if you’re planning to take them with you.

Replacing dated benchtops, cabinetry handles and flooring is also worth the time and money.

Bathroom updates
The smallest rooms in the house can have a big impact on its value, so adding a second bathroom or upgrading existing ones could be a wise choice.  But if you’re renovating a bathroom just to put your house on the market, keep it simple.  Most people don’t want to pay for upgrades, so you want it to be a neutral space that will appeal to the vast majority of buyers.

If you’re not in a position to remodel then re-grouting tiles, or even just using one of those grout paint pens, gives any bathroom a fresher look.

Lighting upgrades
The brighter a room feels, the bigger it looks.  And when you’re selling, you want every space to look as big as possible.

Replacing old lightshades and/or pendant lighting is a relatively cheap upgrade that looks modern and makes a huge impact.

LED lighting has changed everything.  There are so many readily available, inexpensive options now that are easy to install. It’s amazing how one simple upgrade can make a space feel larger and cleaner.

Fresh paint
Like lighting, a new coat of paint can also make a space feel cleaner and brighter. Stick to neutral shades, such as light grey, white or beige, and if you don’t have the time or budget to do the whole house, start with the living areas you see when you first walk in.

An even quicker fix is refreshing just the trim.  Beat-up, dirty trim can give buyers a subtle impression that the whole house is dingy, so repainting gives a sharper look and shows the buyer that you’ve taken care of the house.

Landscape improvements
A lot of people overlook how important landscaping is, especially when you’re selling in the spring or summer. You can increase curb appeal by just putting down new, dark-coloured mulch, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on planting.

It’s important to pay special attention to the entry; first impressions definitely count. Repair or replace any damaged stepping stones, concrete paths, and porch plants, then give the front door a fresh coat of paint and add some potted plants. You want people to be excited to walk in the door.