5 home improvements worth every penny

You probably have dozens of home improvements that you’d like to do, but budget limitations prevent you from fulfilling every walk-in shower or family room addition fantasy. If you’re looking to sell your home anytime in the next year or two, you should be selective in choosing which projects to do. It’s advised that you pick the ones that let you recoup as much money as possible. Check out these five home upgrades that pay off big time:

1. Kitchen remodel: If you’re going to overhaul any room in your home, it’ll probably be the kitchen. Hungry buyers look for wood cabinets, floors made of stone or durable material that resembles wood, stone, or granite countertops and high-quality stoves. The average cost of remodeling a kitchen in 2024 is just over $22,000 and could go all the way up to $130,000. These costs could include painting, replacing the sink, installing a tile backsplash and changing the cabinets. With due diligence and a bit of online research, you can find exactly the look you want at the price you want.

2. Bathroom remodel: A sparkling new bathroom can make you feel like you’ve stepped into a spa or luxury hotel. Buyers will get the same feeling when your renovation includes a walk-in shower (in place of a tub), double sinks and shower heads that mimic rainfall. Choosing a shower door style can be daunting, but with the help of a professional, you can easily work through all of the factors to find the best options for sliding, hinged, or pivot doors.

3. Exterior replacements: Upgrading basic home fixtures will yield an even higher return on your investment than a kitchen or bathroom does. Buyers, especially those purchasing their first home, don’t want to deal with contractors. Buyers want the house to start in great shape, so keeping the exterior of your home in tip top shape can help with resell value. Some big-ticket items that return add to the value of a home are a roof (68.8%) and siding (76.4%).

While not necessarily a basic item, it pays to insulate with fiberglass. This can be done inside the walls, the attic, or even behind the garage door. Proper insulations can be a major improvement, as it drives down the cost of keeping the home at a comfortable temperature year-round.

Outfit your roof and siding with improvements like gutters or weather stripping as well. And if you want to refresh the exterior of your home, a new coat of paint can bring a “good-as-new” look to your home.

4. A new front door: Anytime you make a “curb appeal” improvement like a new front door, potential homebuyers will be attracted to your house before they even step inside. You could potentially recoup 90.7% of what you paid for a steel model. But just as important as the door model is the hardware attached to it. Door handle trends are constantly changing and a modern presentation will impress buyers as they walk in the door. Don’t forget the hinges. You want your door to open and shut cleanly and any squeakiness will be a turnoff.

And of course, if you’re not looking to completely replace your door, a fresh coat of pain in a new color can breathe new life into the front of your home and add an eye-catching new detail.

5. A second bathroom: If you get ready for work at the same time as your partner or live with a teenager, having one bathroom can be pretty stressful — not exactly how you want to start the day. Those are just two examples of how adding a full second bathroom can ease some of that daily anxiety.

People sometimes install a second bathroom in the basement or turn a coat closet or mudroom into one. And it’s a smart investment: When you sell your home, you’ll recoup more than half of what you paid to build the bath.

Your local hardware store is your ultimate resource. Typically, you can find all of the plumbing equipment you’ll need to create a bathroom where there wasn’t one before; your local store can also get you in touch with contractors to ensure your installation is up to the best standards.

Whether you’re prepping your home to be sold or just want to give your home a little refreshment, starting with smaller projects that will yield the greatest return on investment can help you plan your remodeling projects and stay within a budget.