Best Home Improvements to Increase Value
Best ROI home improvements in 2021
If you’re contemplating investing in a major remodeling project, the following 10 home improvement projects provide the best return on investment for homes nationwide, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report.1. Garage door replacement
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Cost: $3,907
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Resale: $3,663
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Recoup: 93.8%
2. Manufactured stone veneer
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Cost: $10,386
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Resale: $9,571
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Recoup: 92.1%
3. Minor kitchen remodel
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Cost: $26,214
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Resale: $18,927
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Recoup: 72.2%
4. Deck addition (wood)
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Cost: $16,766
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Resale: $11,038
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Recoup: 65.8%
5. Siding replacement (vinyl)
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Cost: $16,576
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Resale: $11,315
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Recoup: 68.3%
6. Entry door replacement (steel)
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Cost: $2,082
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Resale: $1,353
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Recoup: 65.0%
7. Window replacement (vinyl)
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Cost: $19,385
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Resale: $13,297
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Recoup: 68.6%
8. Siding replacement (fiber-cement)
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Cost: $19,626
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Resale: $13,618
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Recoup: 69.4%
9. Window replacement (wood)
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Cost: $23,219
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Resale: $15,644
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Recoup: 67.4%
10. Deck addition (composite)
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Cost: $22,426
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Resale: $14,169
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Recoup: 63.2%
Best low-cost home improvements for resale
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your home more appealing to buyers. Consider these lower-cost projects that still offer a lot of bang for your buck.New Interior Paint
Most homes have natural wear and tear, a few dings on the walls or nail holes remaining where art used to hang. These imperfections are particularly noticeable in marketing photos and virtual tours. A new coat of paint gives your home a fresh and updated look for shoppers. According to the 2020 Zillow Group Report, 35% of sellers paint their home’s interior before selling.-
Generally speaking, stick to neutrals — gray, beige, or greige walls and white trim.
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The 2021 Paint Color Analysis found that homes with light blue bathrooms sell for a $2,793 premium.
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The paint study found white is the best color for kitchens, gray is well-suited to living rooms and dark blue bedrooms appealed to buyers.
Curb Appeal
The first thing buyers will see, both online and in person, is your home’s exterior. Whether they’re viewing your exterior photo in an online listing, driving by, or attending a private tour or open house, it’s imperative that your home makes a good first impression.
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Painting your front door can have a big impact. In a Zillow 2018 Paint Color Analysis, homes with charcoal, smoky-black or jet-black front doors sold for a $6,271 premium.
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Making the entire exterior pop with a new coat of paint can help, too. In a survey of Zillow Premier Agents, 77% recommended sellers paint their home.
Smart Home Technology
According to the Zillow Group Report 2020, 41% of Generation Z buyers and 47% of millennials rate smart home technology as highly important in their home search.
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Smart thermostats are a popular and relatively easy addition.
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Research finds homes that mention smart lights in their listing description sold seven days faster than expected.
New Lighting
Good lighting is crucial to showcasing your home’s features, especially if your home doesn’t have a lot of natural light. Upgrading your lighting is easy and inexpensive, and it can make even small rooms feel larger. Consider these steps:
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Add new pendants in the kitchen.
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Spruce up the decor with window treatments.
Small Bathroom Updates
You don’t need to rip out tile or add all new fixtures to give your bathroom a face-lift. In fact, 27% of sellers make improvements to the bathroom before selling, and they can be simple fixes.
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Replace the vanity lights for a more updated look.
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Re-caulk or reglaze the tub instead of replacing.
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Upgrade fixtures with a spa ambiance in mind, like putting in a rain shower head. Zillow research found that listings that include the keyword “spa-inspired” contributed to a 1.8% price premium.
Flooring
Sprucing up flooring is another common task, taken on by 24% of sellers.
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Deep clean wall-to-wall carpets.
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Buff out or refinish hardwoods, especially if there are visible scratches or stains.
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If your flooring needs replacement, consider herringbone parquet flooring, which Zillow research found could add a 5.0% premium on the sale price.
Renovations that Won’t Add Value in Every Market
Not every home improvement project is guaranteed to attract more buyers or give you a good ROI, even if it’s something you enjoy while you’re still living in the home. If you’re renovating with the goal of eventually selling, you’d be wise to avoid the following upgrades:Swimming Pools
Pools are a polarizing topic for buyers — some buyers love a home with a pool, but many others see it as a safety issue or a huge maintenance burden.Luxury Upgrades
It depends on your real estate market and your specific neighborhood, but super high-end touches like professional-grade appliances and marble countertops may not be something buyers are willing to pay extra for.High-End Landscaping
Similarly, investing in expensive landscaping and water features doesn’t always pay off, as buyers can see them as a hassle.Minimum Repairs: What to Fix Before Selling a House
Small repairs and maintenance are often needed to show buyers that you’ve taken good care of the home. These small efforts can make a big difference when it comes to how long it takes to sell your home and how much it sells for. And it can streamline the negotiation process since your buyer won’t have to request repairs as a result of their inspection.Consider tackling these projects before taking on bigger improvements:
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Replace broken mechanicals, like your HVAC system or appliances.
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Remove peeling wallpaper and repaint.
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Take care of weeds and overgrown landscaping.
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Repair broken or leaky plumbing.
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Replace cracked tiles.
How to Budget for Renovations to Increase Home Value
Before researching renovations that might add the most value to your home, decide how much you can afford to spend and how you’ll pay for the renovations.All-Cash Home Improvements
If you can afford it, paying cash is your best option, as you’ll avoid debt and interest payments. But the drawback is that the money you spend will be tied up until you sell the home.
Using Financing for Renovations
Many homeowners opt to finance their remodeling project — especially if they’re planning on selling shortly after finishing the project — as they’ll be able to pay the loan back in full after closing.There are a few different ways to pay for your project, but note that most lenders require that your remaining mortgage balance plus the amount you borrow total less than 90% of your home’s pre-improvement value. For example, if you owe $270,000 on your $350,000 home, lenders would consider loaning you up to $45,000 ($315,000 is 90% of $350,000).
Here are two common financing options: