Hey folks — Dan DeCapua here, your friendly neighborhood Realtor/Comedian (yes, I double-booked myself again).

I want to talk about something that’s simple, but sneaky: keeping up. Not with the Kardashians. Not with the Joneses. Just keeping up. With your home. With your expectations. With the market. Because if you fall behind, the market doesn’t wait for you — it moves on, probably sipping iced lattes, posting pics, and forgetting all about you.

Why “Keep Up” Matters

• Maintenance isn’t optional. That leak in the roof, the flickering light, the creaky door — those are like little speed bumps on your road to selling or just enjoying your house. Let them pile up? Now you’ve got potholes.

• Value is perishable. A fresh coat of paint, clean landscaping, nice hardware — those things help you keep up in value. Neglect them, and value slips.

• Comparisons are everywhere. Listings show pristine kitchens, spa-bathrooms, smart-house tech. Buyers are scrolling and imagining. If your house looks stuck in 1995 with shag carpet and wallpaper, it’s going to lose some eyeballs. And eyeballs = potential offers.

• Morale matters. Living in a house that feels sharp, taken care of, up to date — it uplifts you. When your space feels good, so do you. And that energy shows — to guests, to buyers, heck, even to you when you walk in the door.

How to Keep Up, Without Going Broke

Here’s my playbook. Use these little wins so you don’t get overwhelmed.

1. Regular inspections. Pick one thing each month: Check plumbing, evaluate roof, test smoke detectors, maybe swap out caulk or re-seal windows.

2. Upgrade in piecemeal fashion. You don’t need to renovate the whole kitchen. New fixtures, better lighting, or fresh cabinet hardware can go a long way.

3. Curb appeal counts. First impressions are everything. Clean gutters, trim bushes, power-wash siding or driveway. Simple landscaping, seasonal plants — people notice, even subconsciously.

4. Invest in the little annoyances. That squeaky floorboard? Fix it. That stuck window? Oil it. These are invisible until they aren’t — then everyone notices.

5. Stay informed. What are people looking for in homes these days? Energy efficiency, smart home gear, open layouts, outdoor living spaces. See what’s trending in your area — don’t chase trends blindly, but don’t ignore them either.

When “Keeping Up” Means Letting Go

Sometimes keeping up also means knowing what not to chase. If the upgrade cost is way more than what it adds in value — you might be better off saving that money, or using it elsewhere (e.g. staging, cleaning, strategic marketing when you sell).

Also: keep up with your comfort. If you hate that ultra-modern look, then modernizing for its own sake might make you unhappy. There’s a balance between resale value and personal happiness.

Dan DeCapua

Dan DeCapua is an accomplished Realtor and stand up comedian. A Real Trends Top 1,000 agent in the U.S., member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and has the most positive reviews of any Ann Arbor based agent on Zillow. He keeps his trophies and various other accolades in a climate controlled, subterranean vault available for viewings the third Tuesday of every month. For your Metro Detroit/Greater Ann Arbor real estate needs call (734) 730-7061 or email