-
Compass
200 Columbine St
Denver, CO 80206 -
Sallie Simmons
If you’re thinking about selling your Denver home in 2026, you’ve probably asked yourself some version of:
“Do I really need to update anything, or will it just… sell?”
In the frenzy years, “just list it” sometimes worked. Today’s market is more balanced. Buyers have more choices, homes sit longer, and people expect more for their money—especially with higher monthly payments.
The good news: you don’t have to remodel your entire house to attract strong offers. But you do need to understand what buyers care about right now and focus your effort where it counts.
Here’s what I’m seeing Denver buyers prioritize in 2026—and how you can use that to your advantage when you list.
The biggest shift from a seller’s perspective is this:
Most buyers are exhausted. They’re dealing with higher payments, higher costs of living, and busy lives. They are not hunting for big projects unless the price is deeply discounted.
That means:
Fresh paint, clean flooring, and updated fixtures go a long way.
Homes that feel “done” usually sell faster and with fewer concessions.
“We’ll let the buyer choose their finishes” doesn’t feel like a perk anymore—it just feels like more work.
You don’t have to be perfect, but you do want buyers to walk in and feel like they can unpack and start living, not start a six-month renovation.
Where to focus:
Neutral, light paint in main living areas
Clean, consistent flooring (especially on the main level)
Simple, modern light fixtures in key spaces (entry, dining, kitchen, primary bedroom)
Fresh caulk and grout in kitchens and baths
These aren’t glamorous upgrades, but they photograph beautifully and make your home feel cared for.
You’ve heard it before: kitchens sell houses. That hasn’t changed.
What has changed is that buyers in 2026 are more sensitive to value. They still want a nice kitchen—but you don’t have to drop tens of thousands of dollars to get there.
Buyers are responding to:
Bright, clean spaces (even if the cabinets aren’t brand new)
Updated hardware and lighting
Countertops that don’t scream “builder basic from 2003”
Good storage and a layout that makes sense for everyday life
If a full kitchen renovation isn’t in the cards, consider:
Painting dated cabinets and adding new hardware
Swapping out a busy backsplash for something simple and timeless
Upgrading one or two key appliances if yours are very old or mismatched
Adding under-cabinet lighting or a single statement pendant over an island
The goal is to create a kitchen that photographs well and feels inviting in person—even if it’s not straight out of a design magazine.
One of the lasting impacts of the last few years is that people use their homes differently.
Denver buyers in 2026 are looking for:
A spot that can function as a home office (even if it’s not a dedicated room)
Space for a home gym, yoga area, or Peloton corner
Flex rooms that can be a guest room today and nursery or hobby room tomorrow
You don’t have to build an addition to check these boxes. Often it’s about presentation:
Stage a small bedroom or loft as a tidy, functional office.
In the basement, carve out a corner with a mat, some weights, and a simple storage rack.
Use furniture and rugs to define zones in an open floor plan.
When buyers can immediately picture where they’ll work, work out, or host guests, your home jumps higher on their mental list.
We live in Colorado. People want to be outside.
Backyards and patios don’t have to be huge or fancy—but they do need to feel usable. Buyers are looking for:
A clean, low-maintenance yard (even if it’s small)
A clear spot for a grill and seating
Some sense of privacy, even if it’s just strategic planters or string lights
If your outdoor space is currently a collection of random furniture, leftover kids’ toys, and dead planters, a weekend of cleanup and simple staging can make a massive difference.
Focus on:
Mowing, trimming, and clearing out overgrowth
Power-washing patios and decks
Adding a simple outdoor rug, a few chairs, and a small table
Hanging string lights or adding lanterns for evening showings
You’re selling a lifestyle, not just square footage. Outdoor spaces are a big part of that in Denver.
Buyers in 2026 are far more tuned in to ongoing costs than they were a few years ago. They care about the unsexy stuff: roofs, furnaces, sewer lines, and windows.
You don’t necessarily need to replace everything, but you should:
Handle obvious deferred maintenance before listing.
Service HVAC systems and clean filters.
Make sure smoke detectors, CO detectors, and GFCI outlets are in good working order.
If you’ve done major updates recently—like a newer roof, furnace, AC, or sewer line—make sure those are clearly highlighted in your listing and on a feature sheet. Buyers want to know they’re not walking into a money pit.
You can have all the right features, but if you overprice your home relative to its condition and competition, today’s buyers will move right past it.
In 2026, buyers are comparing:
Your photos and finishes
Your layout and location
Your price versus similar options they’re seeing on the market
If they feel like your home is asking “fully renovated” pricing when it still needs updates, they’ll expect big concessions—or they’ll just choose something else.
The formula that works best right now:
Thoughtful preparation + strong photos + honest pricing = more showings and better offers.
Finally, features are only part of the equation. The way your home is presented—online and in person—should tell a story that matches your likely buyer.
For example:
A classic bungalow near Tennyson might be marketed to first-time buyers who work remotely and love walkable coffee shops and restaurants.
A larger home near good schools might be framed as a long-term “base camp” for a growing family who wants easy access to parks and activities.
Everything from your photos to your description to the way we stage the home should reinforce that story. When buyers see their own life reflected back at them, they’re far more likely to write.
If you’re planning a move this year, you don’t need to guess which upgrades will pay off—or dump money into projects that won’t move the needle.
I help Denver sellers:
Decide where to spend (and where not to) before listing
Create a simple prep plan that fits real life and real timelines
Position their home so it stands out in photos, in person, and on paper
If you’d like a custom walkthrough of what today’s buyers would notice in your home, let’s talk. We’ll walk room by room, prioritize the most impactful changes, and build a listing strategy that fits your goals for 2026
If you’re even thinking about a move in the Denver area—now, next season, or “sometime soon”—you don’t need a hard sell. You need a clear plan.
I offer a no-pressure Denver Real Estate Strategy Session where we’ll:
Walk through your timeline, goals, and budget in plain language
Look at what’s really happening in your specific neighborhoods and price range
Map out your next best steps—whether that’s buying, selling, right-sizing, or waiting on purpose
You’ll walk away knowing:
What your current home could likely sell for in today’s market
What a comfortable purchase price and payment range looks like for your next place
Exactly what to focus on now so you’re ready when the timing feels right
When you’re ready:
Visit salliesimmons.com to explore my Buyer and Seller resources
Or call/text me directly at 662.588.2420
Or send me a quick note through my contact form with “Strategy Session” in the message
No drama, no pressure—just honest guidance from a full-time Denver REALTOR® who treats your move like it’s her own.
Compass
200 Columbine St
Denver, CO 80206
Sallie Simmons