Cosmetic work carries the best return relative to cost: decluttering, a deep clean and small repairs remove objections without a large outlay. A home inspection, typically $400 to $600, will surface the items a buyer's own inspector is likely to find anyway, so addressing those ahead of listing avoids a renegotiation later.
A full renovation is a different calculation. Structural, electrical or foundation work done without a City of Saskatoon permit can actually hurt value, since an unpermitted change raises a flag for a lender or appraiser rather than adding the credit a permitted one would.
Whether any renovation makes sense depends on what comparable Haultain sales are actually rewarding, not a general rule about older homes.
Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.