Which Home Updates Are Worth the Money?

By Jennifer Donahue | Donahue Property Group

You know that kitchen you keep saving pictures of? The one with the wonderful island, better storage, and room for everyone to gather?

If you love to cook or entertain, that renovation might make everyday life a whole lot better. But will you get every dollar back when you sell? That is a different question.

I read the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, and there is a helpful takeaway for homeowners: think about both the enjoyment an update will bring and what it may contribute when it is time to sell.

Your timeline matters.

There Is Real Value in Enjoying Your Home

The report gave a perfect 10 Joy Score to three projects: a kitchen upgrade, an added primary bedroom suite, and new roofing. That last one may feel less exciting than choosing cabinets, but taking care of a big maintenance item can feel pretty wonderful, too.

After remodeling, 64% of surveyed homeowners said they had a greater desire to be in their home.

I think that is worth considering. If you plan to stay for years, a kitchen that works for the way you cook or a bathroom that makes mornings easier has value in your daily life.

That does not mean every project needs to be a major renovation. Sometimes better lighting, fresh paint, or more useful storage is the change you have been wanting.

If your wish list starts with the kitchen, these coffee and beverage station ideas and pantry organization ideas might help you picture a smaller project that would make a difference.

What the Report Says About Resale

A new steel front door had the highest estimated cost recovery in the report at 100%, followed by a closet renovation at 83% and a fiberglass front door at 80%.

Here is how several projects compared:

Home update	Estimated cost recovery
New steel front door	100%
Closet renovation	83%
New fiberglass front door	80%
Complete kitchen renovation	60%
Minor kitchen upgrade	60%
Bathroom renovation	50%

These are national survey estimates, not a promise of what your home will sell for.

The report compares remodeling professionals’ estimated project costs with REALTORS®’ estimated resale value. It does not track actual returns from individual home sales.

Your home’s condition, neighborhood, project quality, and what buyers expect all matter. An estimated 100% cost recovery does not mean every homeowner should replace their front door.

For another look at the findings, NAR’s article, “Should I Remodel My Home Before I Sell?”, walks through the projects and their estimated resale contributions.

Selling Soon Changes the Conversation

If you are getting ready to sell, I would want us to talk before you start ordering cabinets or tearing out a bathroom.

A beautiful renovation can help buyers fall in love, but the cost and time involved need to make sense for your situation.

Painting the entire home was the most commonly recommended project among REALTORS® surveyed, followed by painting one room and new roofing. That does not mean every seller needs to repaint everything or replace the roof. It means we should take a careful look at what your home actually needs.

My approach is to major on the majors. Address needed repairs, look at worn finishes, and decide which changes will help your home feel clean, cared for, and ready for its next owner.

A thorough cleaning and thoughtful preparation belong in that conversation, too. NAR’s guide to marketing your home explains how cleaning, decluttering, and presentation fit into the process.

If a move is on your calendar, my Guide to Selling Your Home is a useful place to start.

Start With How Long You Plan to Stay

If you are staying, think about what will make you love living there more, within a budget you feel comfortable with.

Maybe that is the kitchen you have wanted for years. Maybe it is a better closet, a more comfortable bathroom, or finally taking care of a roof that has been on your mind.

If a move is coming up, let’s look at your likely buyer, the homes you will be competing with, and where your preparation dollars can do the most good. You can also explore my listing presentation for more about how I approach selling a home.

You do not have to turn your home into someone else’s dream house before you sell. Let’s make a thoughtful plan for yours.

If you have a project in mind and are wondering whether it makes sense before a move, email me. I am happy to talk it through with you.

Source: National Association of REALTORS® and National Association of the Remodeling Industry, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, April 2025, pp. 6–8, 10–11, 24, and 27. National findings are not local pricing estimates.