The Best and Worst Home Improvements for Resale Value

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What are the best home improvements that you can spend money on when it comes to resale value? What are the worst? First, let’s talk about the home improvements that always yield high returns on their investment.

1. Replacing the front door: The front door gives people their first impression, and you can typically get about 96% of the money back that you spend to replace one.
2. Replacing a wooden deck: Experts say that this improvement yields an 87% return. That means that spending $1,000 would bring back $870.  
3. Replacing the garage door: Though it’s not as profitable as replacing the front door, replacing the garage door will still give you back well over 80%.
4. A minor kitchen remodel: By “minor,” I mean painting, changing out countertops, and maybe adding an appliance here and there. This type of project will return roughly 83%.

While none of these home improvements give you back all of your money in their own returns, you will end up saving money in the long run because doing them will help you sell your home faster.

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These improvements help you sell
faster and for more money.

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Now, what are some home improvements that don’t return as well?

1. A master suite addition: This type of update sounds great in theory, but studies have shown that it returns only 67% of your investment. It’s easy to see why—expanding a house is always expensive.
2. A bathroom addition: Depending on the type of bathroom and what gets added, this can return anywhere from 60% to 80%.
3. Sunrooms: They look great, but don’t get your hopes up for getting a return that’s much higher than 50%.
4. Remodeling a home office: Again, don’t expect more than a 50% return on investment.
5. Swimming pool: This one’s fairly popular in our area, but if you choose to build one, do so knowing that your return on it will be low.

If you have any more questions about home improvements for resale or anything related to real estate, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be glad to help you!