{"id":24785,"date":"2021-06-24T11:43:54","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T18:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=24785"},"modified":"2026-04-06T07:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:00:57","slug":"buyer-projects-that-increase-home-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-projects-that-increase-home-value\/","title":{"rendered":"33 Projects that Will Increase Your Home\u2019s Value, From Major to Minor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You just bought your house, and now you\u2019re thinking about how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-types-of-real-estate-investments\/\">maximize your investment<\/a>. Home improvement projects are fun and rewarding \u2014 you get to customize your new space and build <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-is-home-equity\/\">equity<\/a> at the same time. But now that you&#8217;re thinking about it, you aren&#8217;t sure which projects that increase home value you should start working on first.<\/p>\n<p>Minor projects (like planting bushes or touching up paint) can be done in a few hours or a weekend, so many homebuyers prioritize these first. Major projects, such as a kitchen remodel, take more time \u2014 but consider tackling them earlier in your homeownership life cycle. That way, you\u2019ll have more time to enjoy them before selling and will <i>really<\/i> maximize the value of your improvements.<\/p>\n<p>What projects increase home value? We\u2019ll cover some of the most popular.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_24794\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24794\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A fire pit that was added behind a home to increase value.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-house.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-24794\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Shaun Montero \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Add outdoor fun<\/h2>\n<p>Americans love their backyards. A 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/porch.com\/resource\/the-great-outdoors\">survey of 1,000 homeowners<\/a> found that 69.7% of them put a large backyard at the top of their \u201cmust have\u201d list for outdoor features, and 76.7% would pass on a house if they were home shopping and it didn\u2019t have a big yard. While you might not be able to increase your yard\u2019s square footage, you can add other desired features.<\/p>\n<p>Homeowners want <b>large decks<\/b> and <b>outdoor entertaining spaces<\/b> to bring family and friends together. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/cost-to-build-a-deck\/\">deck<\/a> was the second-most-wanted-feature on the survey, followed by an outdoor entertaining space like a patio.<\/p>\n<p>These spaces can be further polished themselves: Cooking outside on a grill encourages everyone to come together and slow down in the summer; add a fire pit, and you can enjoy your yard well into the fall and even winter.<\/p>\n<p>The average cost to add a deck ranges between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/outdoor-living\/build-a-deck\/\">$4,000 and $11,000<\/a>, depending on size and materials. It\u2019s a relatively inexpensive project that improves your quality of life and adds resale value to the home, with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remodeling.hw.net\/cost-vs-value\/2020\/\">estimated 66.8% return<\/a> when you sell.<\/p>\n<p>If you can spend a bit more money, consider <b>putting in a pool<\/b>. A pool can turn your backyard into the summer hangout for the neighborhood kids, and it encourages your family to get more exercise. Porch\u2019s survey noted that <a href=\"https:\/\/porch.com\/resource\/the-great-outdoors\">25.5% of homeowners surveyed wanted a pool<\/a>, and 62.7% of them said they wouldn\u2019t consider a home without one.<\/p>\n<p>The coronavirus pandemic shifted national attitudes towards pools, making them even more desirable. HomeLight\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-spring-2021\/\">Spring 2021 Top Agent Insights Report<\/a> found that the value an inground pool adds to a home has increased an estimated 69% (on average) since the arrival of COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>Adding an inground pool sets you back more than a deck, however, with an average cost between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/swimming-pools-hot-tubs-and-saunas\/build-a-swimming-pool\/\">$16,000 and $44,000<\/a>. Above-ground pools are much cheaper, averaging between $1,500 and $15,000. But before deciding to build a pool, make sure you\u2019ve added up its total costs.<\/p>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-why-is-my-home-insurance-so-high\/\">homeowners insurance<\/a> will increase if you have a pool on your property. Yearly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-maintain-a-pool\/\">maintenance<\/a>, chemicals, repairing or maintaining the lining \u2014 pools require ongoing service, so don\u2019t forget to add it to your budget! A poorly maintained pool will decrease your home\u2019s value and desirability.<\/p>\n<h2>Spruce up your curb appeal<\/h2>\n<p>Projects to spruce up your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-much-value-does-curb-appeal-add\/\">curb appeal<\/a> range from those that are relatively inexpensive and completed in a weekend to \u201cwe need to budget for it\u201d and could take weeks. Alternating between smaller and larger projects helps you balance your budget <i>and<\/i> your desire to beautify your new home.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019ve just moved in, smaller and less costly curb appeal projects are ideal. <b>Planting bushes, trees, or perennials<\/b> early ensures that they\u2019ll grow and spread by the time you\u2019re ready to move. <b>Adding edging around flower beds<\/b> makes your home look tidier, and <b>installing outdoor lighting<\/b> or <b>replacing broken pavers<\/b> makes your curb both safer and more inviting.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/lorenzo-murray-ny-10301215323\">Lorenzo Murray<\/a>, an experienced agent in upstate New York who works with 85% more single-family homes than the average agent in his area, says:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThat initial look of what your home looks like on the outside is huge. Patches of grass missing? Fill it in. Overgrown weeds? Pull them. Spruce up the exterior of your home.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Think about <b>changing out the front door<\/b> or <b>garage door<\/b> if they look worn or won\u2019t open smoothly. A single garage door will be between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/garages\/install-a-garage-door\/\">$600 to $1,500 installed,<\/a> and a double car door from $800 to $1,500. If your new door is substantially larger, you might have to replace your garage door opener, too. The National Association of Realtors\u2019 Remodeling Impact Survey from 2019 found that the return on the money put into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">new garage door is 95%<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Installing a new entry door ranges from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/doors-and-windows\/exterior-door\/\">$509 to $1,684<\/a>, and new hardware (locks, hinges) will increase that price. You\u2019ll get back 75% of the cost of a new steel door and 74% of a\u00a0 fiberglass front door, but it will immensely increase your curb appeal.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019re ready for a larger project, <b>swap out the siding<\/b> or have your whole <b>house painted<\/b>! Exterior siding costs between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/siding\/\">$5,000 and 14,050<\/a>, with the price depending on the square footage you have to cover. You\u2019ll only recover <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">63% of the cost of new siding<\/a> when you go to sell, but it will help reduce heating and cooling bills, so budget for it early in owning your home.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-does-painting-exterior-house-add-value\/\">Painting your house<\/a> could run you between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/painting\/paint-a-home-exterior\/\">$1,775 and $4,216<\/a>. In <a href=\"https:\/\/3xlsey17pnzh3nf35w1wwnug-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-survey-q1-2019.pdf\">a 2019 HomeLight survey of more than 900 real estate agents<\/a> they estimated home sellers saw a 51% return on investment when they sold a freshly-painted home.<\/p>\n<p>Fix anything that might look <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/curb-appeal-guide\/\">broken or neglected<\/a>, or doesn\u2019t work properly, that potential buyers might see when they pull up to the curb someday.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_24795\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24795\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"An attic that can increase home value when added.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-attic.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-24795\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Andrea Davis \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Add square footage<\/h2>\n<p>Over time, Americans have developed a preference for larger homes. The median square footage of our homes grew from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/456925\/median-size-of-single-family-home-usa\/\">2,057 in 2000 to 2,301 in 2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Adding square footage can pay off by giving your family more space and adding resale value, and there are several ways to do it.<\/p>\n<p>If you have an unfinished <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/basement-design-ideas\/\">basement<\/a> or attic, think about how the space could be made more livable. For example, your kids would enjoy a playroom, and having the mess out of sight could save your sanity. It can also grow with your family, becoming an entertainment room when they get older.<\/p>\n<p>Developing an existing space is always cheaper than building up or out. While the average national cost to <b>finish an attic<\/b> is $40,000, the typical range goes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/attics\/\">$4,600 to $80,000<\/a>, so it\u2019s worth it to get an estimate. <b>Finishing a basement<\/b> is cheaper, with an average of $18,395 and a range of $<a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/basements\/\">$2,800 to $33,985<\/a>, and has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">64% return on the money spent<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Murray points out that the pandemic only increased demand for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-what-is-a-bonus-room\/\">extra finished space<\/a>. Because so many people are now working from home, \u201cThey want either an area that they can finish \u2014 a walk-up attic \u2014 or some place they can escape from their kids so their kids can do their studies and they\u2019re not distracted from working.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s seeing sellers with smaller third bedrooms stage them as an office to appeal to this demand.<\/p>\n<p>HomeLight\u2019s most recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-spring-2021\/\">Top Agent Insights survey<\/a> supports his opinion \u2014 with 53.5% of agents reporting that after a year of being cooped up inside, the desire for more space will drive more families into the homebuying market.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-much-value-does-a-bedroom-add\/\"><b>Adding a bedroom<\/b><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/cost-to-add-a-bathroom\/\"><b>bathroom<\/b><\/a> can also increase your home\u2019s value \u2014 particularly if (for example) you bought a two-bedroom home but live in an area where most families want a three-bedroom property. A bathroom remodel will cost between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/bathrooms\/remodel-a-bathroom\/\">$6,581 and $16,215<\/a>, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">50% return on its cost<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon for older homes to have \u201cnonconforming\u201d third bedrooms, such as one without a closet, which can\u2019t be included in the bedroom count on the MLS. How could you <b>make that nonconforming bedroom conforming<\/b>? Sometimes it\u2019s as simple as adding an egress window or closet.<\/p>\n<p>Adding another main suite \u2014 or just a main bath \u2014 gives you space and privacy you\u2019ll enjoy for years before moving out. But if your only option to increase square footage or add a bedroom is an addition, it will be more expensive.<\/p>\n<p>Carl Savitz is a general contractor with over 25 years of experience, and co-founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/buildwithbeam\/\">Beam<\/a>, a website that helps homeowners plan remodels and connects them with contractors. He points out:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAdditions usually involve significant site work and structural work (think excavation and foundation) that are not required for remodeling of existing spaces.\u201d <b>Expanding the home\u2019s existing footprint<\/b> requires pouring new foundation, and possible electrical or plumbing work.<\/p>\n<p>Savitz reminds homeowners that \u201cthings like exterior siding and trim, windows, and roofing are additional items that typically aren&#8217;t part of the budget for remodels \u2014 or at least, they are not as significant a part of the project,\u201d and they will also increase an addition\u2019s cost.<\/p>\n<p>The average cost of an addition ranges from between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/additions-and-remodels\/build-an-addition\/\">$20,849 and $72,566<\/a>, depending on the soil condition, necessary grading, size, and complexity of the work.<\/p>\n<h2>Smarten up your home<\/h2>\n<p>You\u2019ll see benefits to \u201csmartening up\u201d your home on your first heating bill. <b>Smart thermostats<\/b> adjust the heat or air conditioning according to your home\u2019s usage, saving you money. <b>Smart lights<\/b> and <b>timers<\/b> save electricity, and <b>smart faucets<\/b> adjust for efficiency and conserve water (how long does your current faucet have to run before the water heats up?).<\/p>\n<p>Smart homes don\u2019t just offer energy efficiencies and savings \u2014 they increase your safety. Motion sensors that trigger <b>video doorbells<\/b> can capture porch thieves. Worried you forget to lock your front door on the way to work? Click a button on an app and your <b>smart lock<\/b> secures your house.<\/p>\n<p>You can buy smart locks, thermostats, and faucets, and have them installed for just a few hundred dollars. But the cost savings over time could be huge \u2014 and low utility bills look great to potential buyers, too!<\/p>\n<h2>Major remodeling projects<\/h2>\n<p>Major remodeling projects can take several months to a year (or longer!) to complete. You should only get started on them if you plan on living in the home for the project\u2019s estimated timeline and well beyond. It\u2019s unlikely you\u2019d recoup investing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/kitchens\/remodel-a-kitchen\/\">$25,570<\/a> (the average cost of a <b>kitchen remodel<\/b>) into a home if you move out shortly thereafter, and you also wouldn\u2019t have time to enjoy your new kitchen!<\/p>\n<p>Murray suggests remodeling for a \u201ckitchen that allows for you to have your cake and eat it, too, so you can cook and entertain.\u201d Even though an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/is-open-concept-going-out-of-style\/\">open floor plan<\/a> is a popular modern amenity, remodeling for one is not feasible in all homes. But he says that \u201cif you have something that gives you great sight lines so you\u2019re not in an enclosed area and confined away from everyone else,\u201d when you cook, it\u2019s still an improvement over a closed-off kitchen.<\/p>\n<p><b>Remodeling your bathroom<\/b> is another major project with big dividends. The average cost of a bathroom remodel is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/bathrooms\/remodel-a-bathroom\/#:~:text=Average%20Cost%20of%20a%20Bathroom,could%20spend%20%2425%2C000%20or%20more.\">$10,804<\/a>, and you\u2019ll get back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">57% of that investment when you sell<\/a>. Expect to pay more if you\u2019re adding sinks or changing the bathroom layout \u2014 anything that requires moving existing plumbing will increase the total price. But just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/cheap-bathroom-remodel\/\">swapping out the vanity and putting in new handles<\/a> can go a long way.<\/p>\n<p>How <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/when-to-replace-roof\/\">old is your roof<\/a>? In some areas of the country like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-minneapolis\/\">Minneapolis<\/a>, known for its harsh winters, it\u2019s one of the first questions asked by potential homebuyers. While it\u2019s not as fun as soaking in a new tub, <b>replacing your roof<\/b> can save you money on heating bills and ensure a quick sale when the time comes.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-roof\/\">average cost to replace a roof<\/a> is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/roofing\/install-a-roof\/\">$8,339 nationwide<\/a>. Your geographic area, materials used, the roof\u2019s square footage and how steep it is will all impact price. But you\u2019ll recover <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">107% of the money put into a new roof<\/a>, so it\u2019s definitely worth it!<\/p>\n<p>The same principle applies to <b>replacing your windows<\/b> \u2014 older windows are drafty and leak heat. Replacing them could save you money long-term, and it\u2019ll be much more enjoyable to sit in your living room watching TV if you\u2019re not shivering!<\/p>\n<p>You could pay between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/doors-and-windows\/window-replacement\/\">$200 and $1,800 per window<\/a>, so to figure out what it will cost in total count the number of windows your house has and multiply! It pays to put in vinyl &#8211; you\u2019ll recover <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">71% of the cost of vinyl windows when you go to sell but only 57% of wood windows<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_24796\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24796\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"An updated porch that has added value to a home.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/projects-that-increase-home-value-cosmetic.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-24796\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Gl\u00e1uber Sampaio \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Cosmetic improvements<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for some quick (and often cheaper) upgrades, consider cosmetic improvements.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe low-hanging fruit here are fresh paint, flooring and electrical fixtures,\u201d says Savitz. <b>Painting the inside of your house<\/b> freshens it up, and makes it feel cleaner when people walk through the doors. On average, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/painting\/paint-a-home-interior\/#:~:text=Painting%20a%20home%20interior%20or,pay%20between%20%244%2C000%20and%20%2411%2C000.\">painting your home\u2019s interior costs $1,894<\/a>,<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve got <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-flooring-increases-home-value\/\">hardwood floors<\/a> that are scuffed, scratched, or showing their age, consider redoing them. This is a quick weekend project that can return great dividends. The National Association of Realtors\u2019 Remodeling Impact Survey from 2019 found that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf\">homeowners recovered 106% of the cost of <b>new wood flooring<\/b><\/a>, and 100% of the cost of a <b>hardwood flooring refinish<\/b> upon resale. Wow!<\/p>\n<p>Consider <b>replacing carpet in the house<\/b> with wood or laminate flooring. It costs between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/flooring\/install-wood-flooring\/\">$6 and $12 per square foot<\/a> to install new hardwood floors. And if you bought an older house, you might be pleasantly surprised to find existing hardwood floors that can be refinished under the carpet.<\/p>\n<p>Another quick fix is to <b>polish up your cabinet faces<\/b> or <b>replace cabinet hardware<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>If you can keep the cases the same, but only paint or replace doors, it saves you a significant amount of money. On average, it\u2019s between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/painting\/paint-a-small-project\/#:~:text=Painting%20your%20cabinets%20costs%20%243,%2475%20to%20%24150%20per%20cabinet.\">$3 and $6 per square foot<\/a> to pay someone to repaint your cabinets, or you could do it yourself for the cost of a few cans of paint.<\/p>\n<p>New, modern hardware (knobs, handles, pulls) uplifts your kitchen, and each pull could only be a few dollars. Combined, it could look like a full kitchen remodel for a fraction of the cost.<\/p>\n<p>Painting, hardwood floor refinishing, and changing out cabinet hardware are relatively easy do-it-yourself projects, and you can rent the tools from most big-box home improvement retailers. But Savitz cautions: \u201cThe biggest mistake people make is doing a poor job on the improvement projects, and having potential buyers be turned off by the low-quality work. If you are going to make an investment like this, make sure you do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Also, keep in mind: The projects that increase home value in your area could be quite different from a neighborhood in another city or state. If you have questions about which home improvements local buyers want in a house, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/buying\">talk to a local agent<\/a>! They\u2019ll help guide you to finding the best balance between money spent, joy while living in the home, and resale value.<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (nicontents . \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You just bought a house, and you can\u2019t wait to start home improvement projects that make it yours. But which projects will increase home value the most?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":153,"featured_media":24792,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,654,707],"tags":[780],"class_list":["post-24785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-homeownership","category-value-increase","tag-how-to-increase-home-value"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>33 Projects That Increase Home Value, From Big to Small<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You just bought a house, and you can\u2019t wait to start home improvement projects that make it yours. Here are the projects that increase home value the most.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-projects-that-increase-home-value\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"33 Projects that Will Increase Your Home\u2019s Value, From Major to Minor\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You just bought a house, and you can\u2019t wait to start home improvement projects that make it yours. 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