With Americans spending more time at home than ever, it’s no surprise people are tackling more home projects recently. But what remodeling projects truly translate into ROI when it comes time to sell? The Cost v. Value Report compares average costs for 22 remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 101 U.S. markets.
Broken down by dozens of individual geographic locations, we zeroed in on reports for Southern California specifically (LA, Riverside, and San Diego) to find out what the best home projects are worth the time and effort for homeowners. If you plan to sell your home soon, these three home upgrades should be at the top of your list.
Entry Door Replacement
Project Cost: $2,088
Resale Value: $2,325
ROI: 111.4%
These stats come from the San Diego report but the numbers are clear across all Southern California markets. A new front door, specifically steel, will recoup your costs and get you an amazing return on investment. The ROI in Los Angeles is 91.2% and 100% in Riverside.
Manufactured Stone Veneer
Project Cost: $10,654
Resale Value: $14,453
ROI: 135.7%
Stacked stone creates beautiful curb appeal and it is worth the investment for any homeowner. San Diego again tops the market with the highest return on investment. The ROI on manufactured stone veneer in Los Angeles is 120.2% and 109.6% in Riverside.
Garage Door Replacement
Project Cost: $3,893
Resale Value: $5,571
ROI: 143.1%
With an ROI of 143.1% in San Diego, a new garage door is a no brainer! The ROI on a new garage door in the Los Angeles market is 106.6% and 86.3% in Riverside.
These three projects all have one thing in common – they seriously boost your curb appeal to entice buyers. Curb appeal is crucial to boosting your home’s value in the eyes of buyers because first impressions are everything. The better your first impression, the more interest – and ultimately – the more offers you will have on your home.
That’s why Firist Team offers an exclusive First Impressions Concierge program to help sellers complete renovation projects, big and small, to prepare for a home sale. Helping you sell for more money, quicker, our First Impressions Concierge is all maximizing the ROI on your home without having to pay a penny upfront. With services ranging from flooring, staging, painting, and more, we can help you get top dollar for your home with no costs until your home closes.
DIY Options
The projects covered by the Cost vs. Value Report are all big projects that are best handled by the professionals. But there are plenty of DIY projects you can take on to boost your home’s value in small, but impactful ways.
- Repaint your front door – Much easier than a front door replacement, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way to boost your home’s curb appeal in a simple and easy way. Try a pop color to add a statement.
- Refresh your front yard landscaping – Again, it’s all about that curb appeal. The goal is to capture potential buyers’ attention right away to make the perfect first impression. Demonstrate your pride of ownership by planting some colorful flowers, adding a few potted plants to your front porch, and cleaning up your yard.
- Update your kitchen cabinets with new paint and hardware – Good quality hardware can instantly up the value of any kitchen without committing to a costly remodel. Minor kitchen remodels also provide an impressive ROI according to the Cost vs. Value report, recouping 95.1% of costs in the LA market.
