12 Home Improvement Projects To Try For The Biggest Return When Selling In 2025

Thinking about putting your home on the market? You've probably considered making a few home improvements before taking photos for the listing. Upgrading certain rooms or features can make a big difference in how long your home is up for sale and your profit. You won't recoup the costs on every improvement. However, there are certain upgrades that are almost guaranteed to boost home resale value. Whether you're selling soon or simply making some much-needed upgrades, focusing on the biggest bang for your buck is a smart move. If all else fails and you can't sell your house quickly enough, try renting it out first instead. Upgrades like creating bigger closets, replacing your front door, turning a room into an office, or adding smart features — among others — will make it more attractive either way.

A return on investment (ROI) is a calculation that measures the profitability of an investment. For example, say you spend $20,000 on a bathroom remodel. With a hypothetical ROI of 60%, you're adding around $12,000 to your home's value. Arguably the best upgrade you can make to a house is to replace the garage door. Although the average cost of a new garage door is around $4,500, the ROI is about 194%, resulting in a hefty profit. Skip the swimming pool and luxury upgrades that often don't pay off or need the right buyer. Renovating the right things is the best way to add value or future-proof your investment.

Making a good first impression is vital, and your front door can make or break the look of your house. Replacing your home's current door with something contemporary will make potential buyers pay attention. The average cost of a steel door, for example, is $2,435, but you should recoup 216% when you sell your house, which is a 116% profit. It's an instant boost to your curb appeal while offering more energy efficiency and increased security — just in case you decide to stay.

People love their closets, and when they're really pretty and super functional, your home will be a top pick with buyers. Investing in a closet renovation lets you enjoy the fruits of your labor yourself, at least for a while, and you can potentially get an average of 83% of your money back when you sell the house. The key is choosing the right closet system for your home, no matter the budget.

One thing you probably don't pay attention to but you definitely should is your mailbox. A new mailbox gives your front yard an instant facelift. No one wants to pull up to a beautiful house and picture themselves living in it only to be greeted with a beat-up mailbox. Worse, if the numbers are obscured or missing, people might not even be able to find you. A fresh coat of paint, new house numbers, or a whole new box can bump your house up a couple of notches in the mind of a potential buyer.

Homeowners really like smart features, and so do potential buyers, especially if they're millennials. On average, homes that have them sell five days faster than those without. A full security system can cost up to $2,000, but it has an ROI of up to 80%. Smart thermostats help save money on your electric bill before you move and boast an estimated 45% to 65% ROI. Other budget-friendly gadgets that may see good returns or convince a buyer include smart doorbells, plugs, and lightbulbs.

Take on an easy paint DIY to give your home a pop of color or hire a contractor. Potential buyers offer an average of $2,590 above the selling price for homes with interiors painted a trending color. With earthy tones taking center stage recently, living rooms with dark gray walls may boost your sale price by almost $2,600. On the flip side, choosing the wrong color can have a negative impact.

With remote working here to stay, many people are seeking homes with a dedicated office or workspace. While not everyone wants one, the majority of buyers think it's an important room to have in their future home. Instead of undertaking a full-blown renovation, like knocking out or putting up walls, you could convert your now college-aged kid's bedroom or an extra walk-in closet — or any large closet, for that matter — into a home office.

Most homeowners enjoy spending time relaxing, entertaining, or gardening in their backyards. If your backyard doesn't have a deck, you might be missing out on a slew of potential offers from buyers. While the investment you make in this feature ranges dramatically in price depending on the style and materials you choose and your budget, it'll likely pay off. The estimated ROI on a deck sits between 68% (composite) and 83% (wood) and is rising.

Everyone is becoming more energy conscious and looking for ways to save, so making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible before putting it on the market is a smart move. Replacing old, poorly sealed windows, investing in a new HVAC system, and adding insulation can make your home more tempting to potential buyers who want to cut energy costs. If you opt for these upgrades, you can expect at least a 100% ROI, making it a win-win.

A bathroom renovation has an average ROI of around 73%. With a functional update focused on standard fixtures and finishes, like new ceramic tiles, a standard white toilet, and chrome fixtures, you may achieve something close to that average. This upgrade gives you the most bang for your buck. In contrast, splurging on a top-of-the-line remodel often doesn't pay off when it's time to sell. In other words, avoid luxury bathroom updates because you likely won't recover your upfront costs.

While it's not the prettiest upgrade, home buyers appreciate the peace of mind a backup power generator provides, making it one of the best home improvements you can make. These machines aren't cheap — expect to pay around $13,500, depending on how big the model is and how much power it generates. However, it's a worthy investment since you likely get back almost what you paid for it when you sell your house.

Upgrading your kitchen appliances can instantly update your whole kitchen and can give you a potential ROI of around 60%. Whether it's a smart refrigerator with AI technology, a remote-controlled oven, or an energy-efficient dishwasher, new appliances might sway a potential buyer. It's a relatively quick, modern update that ensures your kitchen doesn't look like it's been left in the past.

It doesn't matter which upgrades you've made inside your home if you can't get buyers to stop long enough to take a look at them. The front of your house grabs their attention and sets the stage for what's to come. That means having a manicured lawn, freshly spread mulch, pruned evergreen shrubs, perennial flowers in bloom, and fresh hardscaping. Front yard landscaping is a relatively easy and affordable upgrade (you can even often DIY a lot of tasks) that can have a big impact on the opinions of potential buyers.