How to Prioritize Home Upgrades That Actually Increase Property Value

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Buying better appliances doesn’t have to mean spending all of your money. Sometimes the best upgrades are ones that cost very little money and can be completed quickly. Homeowners who get smart about how they improve their property see massive ROIs on their investment.

What you’ll pick up:

Why home upgrades are more important now than ever
Which home upgrades have the highest return on investment (ROI)
Where affordable home appliances fit into the picture
The biggest mistakes homeowners make
How to build a smart home upgrade plan for your house

Why Home Upgrades Matter More Than Ever

Home improvement projects are huge business.

Researchers from Harvard estimate Americans will spend $524 billion on remodeling by early 2026. That’s crazy when you think about every homeowner in the United States pouring money into home upgrades.

Don’t just throw your hard earned money at the problem.

Not every home upgrade increases value. Some renovations recover twice their cost at resale. Others won’t even recover 50%. Why? Homeowners who don’t research before they upgrade end up throwing money away.

Asking the right questions can lead to home upgrades that get you countless offers from eager buyers.

That’s exactly what this article will cover.

The Upgrades That Increase Property Value the Most

Quick hint: Outside upgrades almost always beat inside upgrades.

Replacing your garage door returned the highest ROI in 2022 (around 194%). Replacing your entry door came in second (just behind the garage door at 188%). Both of these projects are inexpensive and can drastically increase curb appeal.

Here are some others:

Manufactured stone veneer
Minor kitchen remodels
Vinyl siding replacement
Bathroom projects

Notice something?

Smaller upgrades that cost anywhere from $100-25,000 consistently beat giant, expensive remodels. For example, a full kitchen remodel that costs around $85,000 (avg. cost) will only net you about a 38% ROI. On the other hand, a minor kitchen remodel has an average 113% ROI nationally.

The point is clear…

Small upgrades that cost less than $25,000 beat big ticket items every time.

Where Affordable Home Appliances Fit Into The Equation

Homeowners who upgrade their kitchen appliances add serious value to their homes. Plus, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get the job done.

Ordering new affordable home appliances from a reputable retailer like Bay Area Appliance Inc can help you find awesome deals without going all out. Energy efficient appliances are huge selling points for buyers and can increase your homes perceived value by up to 7%.

If you want to know why upgrading your kitchen appliances can help you increase your home’s value, read below:

Appliance upgrades are one of the only home improvements that don’t require any labor costs. You’ll still have to pay someone to install your new appliances, but that’s about it. Compared to other projects that require contractors and days of labor; appliance upgrades are a steal.

Not to mention, energy efficient appliances lower your monthly electric and water bill. Who doesn’t want that?

Okay one more reason:

70%-80% of homebuyers say the kitchen is one of the three most important rooms. Stainless steel appliances that are energy efficient show buyers you take care of your home and spend money on keeping it up to date. For many homebuyers, a nice kitchen appliance can be the deciding factor when it comes to pushing past that budget.

Pro Tip: You want to buy affordable appliances, but don’t get bottom-of-the-barrel options. Cheap looking appliances will scare off buyers. Try to stick with mid-tier appliances that will appeal to the most buyers.

Simple kitchen appliance upgrades are one of the easiest home projects that can pay for themselves.

The Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make

Let’s discuss the things homeowners tend to do wrong.

They blow their budget on expensive renovations that sound cool, but don’t translate into value. Building a pool on your property is a great thing, but if you’re selling in a few years it’ll probably come back to haunt you. High-end renovations don’t pay off in neighborhoods that aren’t willing to pay for them. That $50,000 kitchen remodel won’t get you $50,000 more when it’s time to sell.

Here are some others:

Swimming pools
Over-personalization
High-end renovations in modest homes
Skimping on the most important stuff

Trying to “beat the system” is the number one reason homeowners fail to see a return on their investments. Just because you put $50,000 into your kitchen doesn’t mean someone will give you that $50,000 back when they buy your home.

Upgrade smart and don’t get sucked into the hype.

How To Build a Smart Home Upgrade Plan

Figuring out which home upgrades increase property value is just half of the battle.

You also need to know which upgrades to prioritize. Selling your home in the next year? You should focus exclusively on cosmetic updates. Getting ready to sell in 2+ years? You have time for larger projects like kitchen remodels and new siding.

Here’s what to focus on if you’re looking to increase property value ASAP.

Repair anything that’s broken or out of date
Focus on the home’s exterior first (doors & siding)
Upgrade kitchen with small improvements & affordable appliances
Cosmetically improve bathrooms
Install energy efficient features wherever possible

Take notice of the pattern? The bulk of your budget should always be spent on curb appeal.

Buyers decide whether or not they’re interested in your home the second they lay eyes on it.

Everything covered above will help lure them in and get that offer they can’t refuse.

Bringing It All Together

Homeowners who spend more money don’t always get a higher return on investment. Spending the right amount of money on the right home upgrades is the key to increasing property value.

Remember:

Exterior home improvements return the most value
Minor kitchen remodels are far better than full remodels
Affordable home appliances can net you a large return
Over personalized homes and luxurious items won’t get you extra money
Fix your home’s important components BEFORE doing cosmetic updates

Homeowners who understand the value of strategic home upgrades won’t just increase value. They’ll build equity like it’s nothing and sell their homes with confidence.

And that’s something every homeowner should strive for.