1. Minor Bathroom Remodel
- Average Cost: $10,500
- Average Return: $10,700
- ROI: 102.0%
There are essentially two types of rooms that sell houses: kitchens and bathrooms. As it turns out, the greatest home improvement ROI coincides with remodeling the bathrooms. Instead of initiating a little project in each room, conducting a minor bathroom remodel may be better. There’s no need to gut the whole room, but giving each bathroom an updated look could go a long way. Try replacing the showerhead with a rain shower—it’s a feature most homebuyers will appreciate. Also, try replacing the vanity, as nobody wants to feel like they are using someone else’s old bathroom. At the same time, try updating the lighting to make things brighter.
2. Landscaping
- Average Cost: $4,900
- Average Return: $4,900
- ROI: 100.0%
Few rehabbing dollars go farther than those spent on the outside of the house. If for nothing else, curb appeal helps sell homes. New landscaping could be just what the home needs to look fresh and appealing. The aesthetic appeal of both the front and backyard may actually be the first thing buyers see, so make a good first impression and update the landscaping. There’s no need to go overboard. The best landscaping designs are the simplest, but the lines need to be trimmed and clean. A good landscaping job should look nice but also not suggest a great deal of work is to be done.
3. Minor Kitchen Remodel
- Average Cost: $15,000
- Average Return: $14,600
- ROI: 98.5%
A minor kitchen remodel can boost home improvement ROI without demolishing an entire room. Instead, try minor upgrades that make a big difference. Start by replacing the existing appliances with better, newer ones. Next, instead of replacing the cabinets, try refinishing the existing ones. A fresh coat of paint or gloss could make old cabinets look new, and that, combined with new hardware, can completely transform a kitchen.
4. Attic Bedroom Conversion
- Average Cost: $39,200
- Average Return: $36,700
- ROI: 93.5%
Homes with the luxury of having a convertible attic should consider turning the space into an extra room. One of the single greatest ways to increase the value of a home is to increase the number of available rooms. Therefore, anyone who can add to their current room count should at least consider the possibility.
5. Major Bathroom Remodel
- Average Cost: $26,000
- Average Return: $24,300
- ROI: 93.2%
Now is the time to take the previously discussed minor bathroom remodel a step further. Instead of simply replacing amenities and upgrading a few items, homeowners should consider boosting their home improvement ROI with a complete overhaul. Everything, from the shower pan and flooring to the lighting and plumbing, should be analyzed and criticized. If it’s not adding to the appeal of the bathroom, it’s taking away from it. Therefore, it may be a good idea to start with a clean slate. Upgrading the bathrooms completely, especially the master bath, can actually convince homebuyers they are making a good decision.
6. Major Kitchen Remodel
- Average Cost: $43,900
- Average Return: $39,900
- ROI: 91.0%
Not unlike the major bathroom remodel, a major kitchen remodel should require a complete overhaul; this is where everything will be taken out and redone. It is also a good idea to incorporate an open concept. If at all possible, try getting rid of a wall to open things up. Buyers like kitchens with a lot of space, both for hosting and cooking. Quite honestly, one of the best things homeowners can do is remove an unnecessary wall that separates the kitchen from the rest of the house.
7. Entry Door Replacement
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- Average Cost: $1,410
- Average Return: $1,280
- ROI: 90.7%
As the simplest item on the list, the entry door replacement is perhaps one of the most impactful. Not unlike the landscaping, an entry door will most likely be one of the first things buyers see. This is the owner’s chance to make a good first impression. Remember, most people will decide whether or not they want to buy a home in the first few minutes of looking at one. As a result, it’s in a homeowner’s best interest to put their best foot forward and increase curb appeal.