Elevate Your Home’s Worth Workshop: The Smartest Updates That Actually Pay Off
If you’ve ever wondered “Should I remodel before I sell?” or “What upgrades are actually worth the money?”—you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why we hosted our first Elevate Your Home’s Worth Workshop at The Whipple Group: to give homeowners real, practical guidance on what moves the needle most—whether you’re preparing to sell soon or simply want to improve your home in a way that builds long-term value.
We brought together three experts to cover the full picture:
Beatrix Whipple – Owner of The Whipple Group and REALTOR®
Deanna Henderson – Interior Designer with 25+ years in the industry (hospitality + residential)
Simon Park – Architect and contractor specializing in thoughtful residential improvements
Guests enjoyed a relaxed, community-centered evening (plus wine + bites), but the takeaways were all business—in the best way.
Here are the biggest lessons from the night.
1) Start with a “Clean Canvas” (It’s Not Boring—It’s Strategic)
Deanna shared something we see constantly in real estate: buyers need to feel themselves in the home. That’s hard to do when the space feels overly personal, visually busy, or dated.
A “clean canvas” doesn’t mean stripping your home of character—it means editing distractions so your layout, light, and features can shine.
High-impact starter steps:
Declutter and depersonalize (so rooms feel bigger)
Create cohesive styling from room to room
Keep finishes clean, simple, and intentional
2) Small Upgrades = Big Payoff (If You Pick the Right Ones)
If you want the best “bang for your buck,” focus on upgrades that are highly visible and emotionally persuasive to buyers.
Deanna’s top high-impact, low-to-mid cost updates:
Fresh paint (especially when it brightens + modernizes)
Updated hardware (kitchen pulls, doorknobs, hinges, faucets)
Modern lighting (it instantly changes the mood of a home)
One standout example she mentioned: electric, backlit bathroom mirrors. They feel elevated and modern—even if the vanity itself isn’t brand new.
3) Storage Is the New Luxury
This came up again and again: buyers are less obsessed with “more bedrooms” and more focused on how the home functions.
What buyers are actively looking for:
Walk-in closets (even if bedrooms are modest)
Pantry space (a major value-add right now)
Smart built-ins and hidden storage that keeps spaces feeling open
If you’re remodeling a kitchen, even a small walk-in pantry can create huge perceived value.
4) Kitchens + Bathrooms Still Sell Homes (But Finishes Are Changing)
We’ve all lived through years of gray-and-white everything. The trend is shifting.
What’s feeling current now:
Richer, warmer tones
Dark, dramatic stones and bold slabs (where the stone becomes the “star”)
Mixed woods for depth and interest
Waterfall edges that add a high-end feel
And yes—buyers still judge the home heavily on kitchens and bathrooms because those upgrades feel expensive and overwhelming. The goal is to avoid the reaction:
“I love the house… but we’d have to redo the kitchen.”
5) Outdoor Spaces Matter More Than Ever
Today’s buyers want indoor-outdoor living—even in smaller homes.
The conversation leaned toward landscaping that feels lush, intentional, and inviting—less desert minimalism, more “green and thriving.”
Even simple improvements (cleaned-up planting beds, layered greenery, defined seating areas) can transform a yard into a lifestyle feature—not just leftover space.
6) Smart Home Features Are Becoming Standard
Smart locks, smart thermostats, and integrated controls aren’t just “cool”—they’re quickly becoming expected in many price points.
If you want an easy modern upgrade:
Smart door lock (keypad/fingerprint)
Smart thermostat
Simple lighting controls
These add convenience and signal to buyers that the home is updated.
7) The Hard Truth About ROI: There’s No Perfect Formula
Simon gave one of the most important perspectives of the night: maximizing value isn’t a checklist—it’s a strategy.
He explained that two homeowners can spend the same amount and get very different results depending on:
Neighborhood and price-per-square-foot
Current market conditions (buyer’s market vs. seller’s market)
The home’s existing condition (deferred maintenance vs. updated)
Whether upgrades solve real functional problems—or just add “stuff”
He made a key distinction that homeowners often miss:
Maintenance costs vs. lifestyle costs
Some expenses (roof, HVAC, aging systems) are necessary—but they don’t always “pay you back” like a shiny kitchen might. They protect value, reduce buyer objections, and help the home feel safe.
8) The #1 Goal: Make It a “Good House”
The strongest theme from Simon’s talk was this: value comes from the whole experience of the home—not just individual upgrades.
Great design solves problems buyers can feel, even if they can’t explain it.
His advice was clear: if you’re making meaningful changes, do it with sound guidance and a clear plan—because “random improvements” can backfire.
What We Want You to Take Away
Whether you’re selling next month or staying for ten more years, the best updates are the ones that:
improve how you live
reduce future buyer objections
and elevate the overall feeling of the home
If you’re considering upgrades and want help deciding what’s worth it for your home, we’re here to be a resource.
At The Whipple Group, we can help you:
prioritize updates based on your neighborhood + goals
connect you with trusted designers, contractors, landscapers, and vendors
map out a value-adding plan (without wasting money)
If you have questions—selling or not—reach out anytime.
Thinking About Your Next Step?
If you’d like, tell me:
Your neighborhood in Long Beach
Whether you’re selling soon or just upgrading
What you’re considering (kitchen, bath, paint, landscaping, ADU, etc.)
…and I’ll turn this into a “Top Upgrade Priorities” section you can add to the blog post (customized to your audience).
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