Once your home’s maintenance and repairs are planned for, it’s time to shift focus from fixing issues to sparking buyer interest. This is where knowing how to increase home value with smart renovations and upgrades makes all the difference. Renovations are improvements that replace or bring back up to standard, an existing item or room, generally where the improvement is often the new, fresh and more current stylish materials and finishes. Upgrades can be enhanced renovations (of superior quality above what might be expected) or simply the addition of desirable and coveted specialty items, systems, materials, or finishes. Sometimes those upgrades are above the expected standard for that property type and other times, these upgrades are the expectation.
Repairs build trust, but renovations and upgrades build desire and show buyers what their life could look like in the home. The goal to increase a property’s perceived value without overspending can be achieved by choosing the right upgrades to deliver maximum impact for a reasonable cost.
Before jumping into renovations and upgrades, it’s important to make sure you’ve covered the basics. Begin with Preparing Your Home for Sale: Start with a Survey & Assessment of Needed Repairs and Maintenance — this will help you identify essential fixes that must be handled first.
If you’re in the early stages, our Selling a Home guides can help you with the full process.
Should I Renovate My House Before Selling?
Beyond making your essential repairs and maintenance, may home Sellers ask if renovations to their property are necessary.
Your Real Estate agent or advisor can help you decide which renovations might be needed and which updates will have the biggest impact in your specific market. This advice is usually based on knowledge of local expectations and specific items that are appropriate to the individual property and its environs. Your decision should depend on market conditions, the current condition of your home, and your budget. These don’t always have to be big-ticket items; sometimes, minor updates can have a high impact on your sale price. In some cases, a quick refresh like new paint, modern light fixtures, or updated cabinet hardware can make your home more appealing without major construction. Here’s a general guide to prioritizing the best home improvements for resale value:
Renovations: Strategic Investments That Pay Off
Even modest changes can be among the most effective things you can do to increase value, especially when they refresh your home’s look and functionality. The goal is simple: to create desirability and remove or improve anything that kills it. Here’s my priority list of the order in which to consider any renovations or upgrades when planning time, effort and funds:
Replace or Refurbish Worn-Out Items
Anything that looks tired sends a message that the home is aging, such as:
- Worn flooring that can’t be ‘cleaned’ back to life
- Chipped or damaged countertops or fixtures in the Bath or Kitchen
- Faded, chipped or dirty wall, ceiling or trim paint
- Old HVAC, Water Heater, Kitchen appliances or laundry appliances
- Old faded exterior window shutters
- Faded exterior door, garage door
These immediately visible items can quickly shift a buyer’s perception. Consider replacing or refreshing these items first to get the property one step closer to looking like ‘new’. These are the items that have a big impact on a space and its character and usually provide a good return on investment if they are refinished to a level that is at least to the same level of quality as the rest of the property. Avoid the temptation to replace with cheaper substandard items or materials as your renovation may have the opposite effect.
These are the types of improvements that can turn “This is an old property” into “This property feels fresh and ready to serve me for years.”
Also, pay attention to smaller items in need of attention – which can have a better return on invested time and effort:
- Kitchen or Bath cabinet door and drawer faces needing a paint touch up or furniture polish
- Loose, uneven or damaged door leaves or handles
- Dripping sink or Tub faucets
- Caulking or silicone sealant around the sink or countertop edge that is missing, dirty or moldy
- Faded exterior door – that could be repainted or given a refresher varnishing
These quick fixes are less drastic or but usually fall under home renovations that add value by improving the buyer’s first impression.
Update Outdated Items and Spaces
Buyers want to step into their future, not back in time. Kitchens and bathrooms are common areas that benefit most from the best home improvements for resale value.
If you don’t have the time or budget for a full renovation, which is usually only necessary in cases where a room is the only space in the entire property that is very obviously not up to par with the rest, focus on smaller changes that refresh the look instead. Consider:
- New more currently stylish cabinet handles and pulls
- Applying a fresh coat of cabinet or wall paint in a neutral or trending shade
- Replacement cabinet door and drawer faces or installing new cabinet pulls, cabinet pull-out drawers or adding soft-close hardware
- Updating or replacing the backsplash
- Updating light fixtures or even swap out the decorative shade(s) of the fixture
These upgrades can transform the feel of a space without the cost of a complete remodel. (LINK: Check out our in-depth guides on renovating specific areas and more in depth reports on renovation and ROI)
According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, a minor kitchen remodel can have a 96% ROI, while bathroom renovations can return 74%. These spaces are emotional selling points where buyers picture themselves cooking, relaxing, and entertaining.
Replace Substandard Fixtures or Fittings
If your home has features that work but feel low-quality or inconsistent with the rest of the property and stand out, it’s worth upgrading them to either give a consistent picture or create the feeling of a more valuable or luxurious home.
Think about replacing items such as:
- Builder-grade fixtures in a high-end home such as cheap hollow doors, basic hardware or substandard trim
- Basic or non matching appliances
- Basic or standard fixtures & fittings, cabinetry and hardware or countertops in Kitchen or Bathrooms
- Low quality or heavily worn shelving in Primary bedroom walk-in closets
- Basic light fixtures in an updated property
- Low-quality flooring in an otherwise updated space
Check similar listings in your price range or consult your real estate agent to make sure your property includes the features buyers expect at a minimum, for that property type and price range.
Consistency in finishes is a home upgrade that adds value and reinforces the property’s perceived worth.
Consider Scale and Proportion when Renovating
These are important and not always something you can have control over, but if you have spaces or elements in your property that are out of scale or proportion with the rest of the property, it creates and unease when viewing and likely restricts functionality for a wider variety of Buyers.
The best home improvements to increase value are those that feel intentional and well-proportioned to the space.
Example:
Before starting a major kitchen remodel, think about how the changes will affect the home’s overall balance. For instance, will new cabinetry and prep space take up so much room that there’s no longer space for a table that seats six, even though the home has five bedrooms?
Or, consider a property that now has four bedrooms after an attic conversion but only one small living area, barely big enough for a single sofa. In this case, it might make sense to market one of the bedrooms as a multi-purpose space, such as a study or TV room.
The key is to keep both scale and quality in mind so every part of the home feels consistent and well thought out.
Renovate Key Areas and Items with High ROI
Research shows that certain renovations consistently deliver the highest returns, and they often create the strongest first impressions. According to recent data :
- Front door replacement (steel): 188% ROI
- Garage door replacement: 194% ROI
- Exterior painting: 153% ROI
- Refinishing or replacing wood floors: 137% ROI
- Minor landscaping: up to 539% ROI
One mantra I have heard, which has held true in my work, is that ‘If Buyers don’t like the look of a property outside, they are not going in”. Curb Appeal is Real…. So take it seriously. Invest in renovations that allow Buyers to first view the personality of the property from the outside and decide if it represents who they want to be. Then, invite them into the home and make them want to stay.
These aren’t just renovations and/or upgrades; many of these home improvements are first impressions, and first impressions sell homes. To stay ahead, keep an eye on design trends by browsing home improvement shows, visiting local open houses and new developments, and consulting with your real estate advisor.
Upgrades: Aspirational Touches That Sell
Most often, the best home upgrades for resale value aren’t improvements that are essential, but they’re the elevated details buyers remember. They create talking points during showings and can leave a lasting impression after the tour is over.
Think of what you would add if you were staying in the home. A drinks fridge, a high-quality closet system with lighting, a spa-like shower, pizza oven, or smart home features all offer a touch of luxury. Even small outdoor enhancements, like a fire pit or solar path lighting stakes, can help buyers imagine their new and improved life there.
You don’t have to build a full outdoor kitchen. On a limited budget or in a property where a particular upgrade is viewed as a ‘step up’, you can suggest the lifestyle with a fire pit, string lights and cozy seating. By setting the stage, you’re selling a dream, not just a structure.
And there are other possibilities, to get creative and suggest lifestyle upgrades with the space you have by taking multi-function room, for example, and presenting it as a work-out room, a TV media room, or game room. This might be the perfect opportunity to add a drinks fridge, mini bar, art studio or high-tech media hub. Sometimes, the lifestyle upgrade comes in the form of a designated space to do something new or unique!
Do My Upgrades Have to Be Luxurious?
For certain properties in certain markets, actual construction upgrades may garner more appreciation and bring in more ROI than luxurious fixtures, fittings and products. Energy-efficient upgrades like insulation or efficient windows can add up to 23% in value and bring real benefits to a family’s lifestyle.
Smart home features alone can boost value by up to 10%. Things like smart thermostats, lighting, window treatments, tankless water heaters, geothermal heating systems, solar panels, built in media or sound systems etc. – these are the kinds of upgrades that can elevate a property above its competition.
They are practical home upgrades that add value and can be every bit as memorable or exciting as lifestyle upgrades.
Download my Home Maintenance Checklist here and use it to boost your home’s value before selling.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to increase home value before selling isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about creating an emotional connection with buyers. Start by replacing or renovating worn or outdated items, then add modern touches in key spaces, and finish with a few memorable upgrades. Some of the best renovations are also upgrades, at the same time!
My best advice though, is that you are planning to renovate or add upgrades, that you do it early enough before you decide to move to reap the benefits of the improvement yourself for a short while (without it becoming outdated). This is the real benefit of a renovation in my opinion.
A great number of renovations and upgrades generally won’t return your investment dollar for dollar or at a profit, but they usually all help make a property more desirable and therefore sell faster. Besides being more competitive in your market when selling, this will also spare you added stress and extra carrying costs of a longer time on market and maintain your leverage in negotiations. As a general rule: the faster you sell, the fewer request for concessions or price reductions you tend to see. And if you’ve made the property truly spectacular, then your best hope is for overwhelming interest at the start to create a flurry of Buyer excitement, anxiety and offers over list price.
The best home improvements to increase value are those that combine visual appeal with practical benefits, giving buyers every reason to say “yes” to your property.
FAQ’s
Q: What are the best home upgrades for resale value?
A: Kitchens, bathrooms, curb appeal improvements, and flooring updates often deliver the highest ROI.
Q: How to increase home value before selling?
A: Focus on high-impact renovations like kitchen refreshes, bathroom updates, and minor landscaping.
Q: What home upgrades add value quickly?
A: Replacing the front door, refinishing floors, and upgrading lighting are quick changes that boost appeal.
Q: Are the best home upgrades to increase value always expensive?
A: No. Affordable updates like fresh paint, new hardware, and energy-efficient fixtures can also add value.
Q: Should I focus on renovations or upgrades before selling?
A: Handle essential renovations first, then add upgrades that create buyer appeal.
