The housing market is red hot at the moment, and many people are jumping at the chance to put their homes on the market. If you are among those people, it is important to consider some home remodeling projects that could add even more value to your home when you decide to list it for sale, especially if it has become a bit outdated over the years.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of remodeling projects that are likely to add value to your home, as well as data on each project’s typical return on investment.

How To Maximize Your Remodeling Project

While remodeling projects are not guaranteed to return 100% of the remodel costs, they can make a home even more likely to sell. There are a few ways that you can maximize your return on investment to increase your likelihood of a great return, and maybe even make a profit from your remodel. First, choose your upgrades wisely and focus your efforts on the areas that are most in need of home improvement.

Additionally, direct your efforts towards remodels that new buyers are looking for, including the latest design trends. Conducting research on what most people are looking for in their new home will help you determine what to prioritize when planning a remodeling project. Experienced professionals can also aid in this process, using their understanding of market trends to offer valuable insight.

1. Update Your Kitchen for Entertainment

The kitchen is one of the key spaces within every home, important for both day-to-day life and entertaining. So, a modern kitchen is often a must-have for homebuyers. While a spacious kitchen is perfect for hosting friends and family, older kitchens are often solely designed for the functionality of cooking. When remodeling an outdated kitchen, considering changing up the layout to create an inviting open concept. If this is not possible, consider creating a light color palette with painted white or light wood cabinetry and light-colored countertops to create the illusion of a more open room.

The high demand for a stylish and functional kitchen means that kitchen remodels are likely to add value to your home. On average, minor kitchen remodels consisting of replaced cabinet doors and hardware, appliances, faucet, and flooring will recoup 77.6% of the costs while a major kitchen overhaul consisting of adding an island and replacing the rest of the kitchen will recoup 58.6% of the remodel costs.

To maximize your return on investment, consider high-end wood cabinetry, upgrade old appliances, replace outdated or worn flooring, and select premium countertop materials such as marble or granite. Consider consulting a kitchen remodeler for a quality end result.

2. Spruce Up Your Bathroom

A quality bathroom renovation can truly set your home apart for potential homebuyers. For simple bathroom remodeling, remove outdated fixtures to replace them with modern options. This could include flooring, cabinetry, hardware, and lighting fixtures.

If you’re looking to do a major bathroom overhaul, add modern features that will make the space feel like an in-home oasis. This could include adding modern tile throughout the bathroom or replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower. You should talk to a professional plumbing company to see what is achievable as you consider your plans.

No matter what remodeling project you choose, they’ll return around 63% of their costs on average. To maximize the benefits of your bathroom remodeling, focus your efforts on transforming the master bathroom into an oasis that will set your home apart from others on the market while ensuring that the other bathrooms in your home do not appear neglected in comparison.

3. Roof

Often, buyers make the mistake of overlooking the roofing of a home during the homebuying process. However, savvy homebuyers may become discouraged or lose interest if the roof on a dated home has not been replaced. If you are planning to list your home as move-in ready, the roof is a key component of homes in this category, and homebuyers will not be pleased to find out that the roof will likely need to be replaced in the first few years that they are living in the house. Roof repairs can prevent potential buyers from losing interest in your home and walking away.

4. Replace Your Siding Or Add A Stone Veneer

“While homebuyers will likely be considering preliminary factors such as location and square footage of your home when they are deciding whether to tour your home, the first thing that they will notice when they visit your home, or view it online, is the curb appeal. This is your chance to make a lasting impression so that your home stays at the forefront of the homebuyer’s mind as they go throughout their home buying process.” - Corey Tyner, Buy Yo Dirt

If you own an older home, the appearance of your siding is a factor that will make or break its curb appeal. Not only will replacing your home’s siding allow your home to stand out from the crowd, this remodeling project also returns 77.6% of its costs on average, especially if you choose modern, cost-effective materials such as fiber-cement. Vinyl is also a great siding option, with comparable return on investment, but with a wider range of available styles and finishes to customize your home.

However, if your house is relatively new, a siding replacement is probably not going to recoup as much value. Instead, electing to add a stone veneer to parts of your home can elevate it above homes in the area. Not only that, replacing portions of your vinyl siding with a manufactured stone veneer recoups 95.6% of costs on average. Be sure to consult a design professional to maximize your return on investment and ensure the project goes smoothly.

5. Patio

While many remodeling projects focus on improving interior spaces, don’t overlook your outdoor living spaces. Improving an existing patio or deck, or adding an outdoor element if you do not already have one, has major potential to improve the appeal of your home. Outdoor entertainment spaces are important for homebuyers, especially in scenic areas with favorable climates. It may even be on their list of must-haves when they are shopping for a home.

Replacing a small back porch with a larger deck can return around 70% of the invested costs. Adding features such as built-in benches and planters can distinguish the deck from others as well. Adding an outdoor living space can be an especially prudent idea if these spaces are common or rising in popularity throughout your area.