Home Upgrades That Can Pay Off at Resale

Big-ticket lessons—and bold, budget-friendly ideas—to boost your home’s value and add personality.

By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Thinking about remodeling? Before you swing a hammer or swipe that credit card, you may want to hear what the pros are saying right now about what truly pays off. In this episode of Real Estate Today, find out the home upgrades that can deliver at resale—and the ones that may surprise you. From high-return exterior improvements to smart interior renovations, learn what buyers notice and what they may even pay more for—and where homeowners tend to overspend.

You’ll hear from:

• Kristen Jordan, associate broker at the Corcoran Real Estate and alum of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing New York”
• Gray Benko and Chelcie Eastman, hosts of the Magnolia Network show, “Anything But Grey”
• Jennifer Bien, DAHLIN Architecture
• Scott Wharton, HouseMaster Home Inspections

10 Top Remodeling Projects to Prioritize

According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the following home projects offer some of the highest estimated cost recovery at resale:

1. New steel front door: 100% (estimated return based on upfront cost)
2. Closet renovation: 83%
3. New fiberglass front door: 80%
4. New vinyl windows: 74%
5. New wood windows: 71%
6. Basement conversion to living area: 71%
7. Attic conversion to living area: 67%
8. Complete kitchen renovation: 60%
9. Minor kitchen upgrade: 60%
10. Bathroom addition: 56%