LAFAYETTE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / October 1, 2026 / The Paddy Kehoe Team, a Lamorinda real estate team affiliated with Compass, is sharing guidance for East Bay homeowners preparing to sell, including where targeted pre-sale improvements may strengthen a property's market position and where sellers may risk overspending.

Based on the team's experience preparing properties across Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda and surrounding communities, sellers may benefit from prioritizing visible repairs and presentation before committing to major renovations.

"Almost every home has something that could be renovated, but that doesn't mean it should be renovated before selling," said Paddy Kehoe, founder of the Paddy Kehoe Team. "We look at what a buyer is likely to notice, what could create hesitation and where the seller's budget can have the greatest impact."

Where Sellers May Want to Invest

The Paddy Kehoe Team recommends starting with visible maintenance issues. Damaged finishes, worn fixtures and other signs of deferred maintenance can distract buyers and raise questions about a home's overall condition.

Presentation-focused improvements can also refresh a property without extensive construction. Fresh paint, professional cleaning, landscaping and strategic staging can help a home feel well-maintained and market-ready while keeping the scope of work manageable.

More substantial updates may make sense when an outdated space affects how a home compares with competing properties, but the team recommends evaluating these projects individually.

Where Sellers Risk Overspending

The Paddy Kehoe Team cautions sellers against assuming that the cost of a major kitchen or bathroom remodel, luxury finishes or highly personalized upgrades will necessarily be reflected in the eventual sale price.

"Before spending heavily, sellers should ask what problem the project is actually solving," Kehoe said. "If an improvement addresses something buyers are likely to see as a drawback or helps the home compete more effectively with comparable properties, there may be a strong reason to consider it. If it's primarily based on personal taste, that investment deserves a closer look."

The team recommends developing a property-specific plan before work begins. A home's age, architecture, condition, price point and likely buyer can all influence where preparation dollars are best directed.

Kehoe brings more than 30 years of experience across real estate, construction and development to the process, including experience buying, renovating and selling properties in Lamorinda.

About the Paddy Kehoe Team

The Paddy Kehoe Team is a real estate team affiliated with Compass, serving buyers, sellers and builders in Lamorinda and the surrounding East Bay. Led by Paddy Kehoe, CA DRE #01894345, the team combines local real estate knowledge with experience in construction, renovation and development.

For more information, visit paddykehoeteam.com.

Media Contact:

Organization: The Paddy Kehoe Team
Email: paddy@paddykehoeteam.com
Phone: 925-878-5869
Website: www.paddykehoeteam.com
Contact name: Paddy Kehoe

SOURCE: Paddy Kehoe Team