This is a question I get asked almost daily by homeowners. In a seller’s market, it may not be a requirement to do these things, before you list, because the competition is so fierce to buy homes right now. Home buyers are willing to do this work for you, after they buy.
However, if you really do want a top dollar rate of return, for any remodel you do, make sure it is one that will pay you back when you do decide to sell.
Here is a great article from CBS news, that talks about the in’s and out’s of this concept.
http://www.cbsnews.com/media/top-10-remodeling-projects-for-adding-value-to-your-home/11/
What’s funny, I said this the other day. I bet you if I put a steel door at the entry in the home. “If” decided to sell, it would be a huge return rate. 🙂