The Home Projects That Actually Pay Off When You Sell

If you've been debating whether to remodel your home or just live with the quirks, here's something to think about: the right updates can both boost your home's resale value and make you fall in love with your space all over again.

According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of REALTORS®, Americans spent an estimated $603 billion in 2024 on home remodeling. 

And those renos aren’t just for fun. With 46% of buyers today less willing to compromise on condition, your home's value could be riding on a few key upgrades.

Bit before you start knocking down walls or gutting your kitchen, here are the projects that give you the most bang for your buck and the biggest emotional payoff.

Highest Cost Recovery Projects in 2025

Let’s start with the financials. These remodeling projects deliver the best return on investment if you're planning to sell:

1. New Steel Front Door: 100% cost recovery

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: 71% 

8. Complete Kitchen Renovation: 60% 

9. Minor Kitchen Upgrade: 60% 

10. Add New Bathroom: 56% 

11. New Primary Suite: 54% 

12. Bathroom Renovation: 50% 

Even smaller updates, like painting a room or replacing worn-out fixtures, can make a big difference. 

The Projects That Bring the Most Joy

Beyond dollars, there’s real value in how you feel living in your home. That’s where the Joy Score comes in—a 1 to 10 rating based on how happy homeowners were with their completed projects.

Here are the renovations that topped the charts for joy:

1. Added Primary Bedroom Suite: Joy Score: 10/10

2. Kitchen Upgrade: 10/10

3. New Roofing: 10/10

4. Bathroom Renovation: 9.8/10

5. Complete Kitchen Renovation: 9.7/10

6. Paint 1 Interior Room: 9.3/10

7. New Wood Flooring: 9.1/10

8. Basement Conversion to Living Area:  8.8/10

9. Paint Exterior Siding: 8.8/10

10. New Front Door: 7.5/10

11. New Siding: 7.3/10

12. Garage Door: 7/10

And the emotional impact doesn’t stop there:

• 64% of homeowners said they had a greater desire to be at home after remodeling

• 46% reported increased enjoyment in their home

• 55% felt a major sense of accomplishment when the project was finished

• If cost weren’t a factor, 92% said they’d take on even more remodeling projects

Remodel Now, Enjoy Now—Sell for More Later

If you're not planning to sell tomorrow, that doesn’t mean these projects aren’t worth it. In fact, most homeowners (27%) remodeled simply to upgrade worn-out surfaces, and only 18% said they were remodeling because they plan to sell in the next two years.

In other words, smart improvements can serve double duty: making your home more functional and enjoyable today while also boosting future resale value.