How Much Can You Increase Your Home Value?
How to Increase Home Value: 15 Proven Ways (with ROI Data)
Reading Time — 8 minutes
Published: April 24, 2026
Author: Opendoor Editorial Team
Knowing how to increase home value isn't just useful before you sell — it's one of the smartest financial moves a homeowner can make at any stage. Whether you have $500 or $50,000 to invest, the right improvements can return far more than they cost. This guide covers 15 proven ways to increase your home value, organized by budget, with real ROI data from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report so you know exactly what to expect.
How Much Can You Increase Your Home Value?
Most homeowners who invest strategically can increase their home's resale value by 5% to 15% through targeted improvements. On a $400,000 home, that's $20,000 to $60,000 in added value.
The exact outcome depends on three factors:
1. What you spend money on. Exterior improvements — garage doors, entry doors, siding — consistently deliver the highest returns. Interior gut renovations often return less than 60 cents on the dollar.
2. Your baseline condition. A home with deferred maintenance will see bigger gains from basic repairs than from cosmetic upgrades.
3. Your market. In a competitive seller's market, curb appeal and move-in readiness matter more. In a slower market, buyers want updated kitchens and bathrooms.
Quick Wins: High-ROI Updates Under $1,000
These are the improvements that consistently punch above their weight. Low cost, high perceived value, and immediately visible to buyers.
1. Fresh Interior Paint: $200–$800
A full interior repaint — using neutral colors like warm whites, greiges, and soft taupes — is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make. Buyers see a clean, move-in-ready home instead of a project.
Expected value added: $1,000–$3,000+ depending on home size and condition.
2. Curb Appeal Cleanup: $100–$500
First impressions are formed within seconds. Simple fixes that have an outsized effect:
- Mulch front beds ($50–$150 in materials)
- Power wash the driveway, walkway, and siding ($50–$200 as DIY)
- Plant seasonal flowers near the entry ($30–$80)
3. Deep Clean + Declutter: Free–$300
A professionally cleaned home shows dramatically better in photos and in person.
4. Upgrade Fixtures and Hardware: $150–$600
Swapping out dated brass cabinet pulls for brushed nickel or updating bathroom faucets can transform the feel of a room without touching a wall.
Expected value added: $500–$2,000 for full-house fixture update.
5. Boost Your Landscaping: $300–$900
Basic landscaping can add 5–11% to your home's value according to the National Association of Realtors.
Mid-Range Projects: $1,000–$10,000
6. Minor Kitchen Update: $1,500–$5,000
A minor update can make a dated kitchen feel current for under $3,000.
Expected value added: $3,000–$8,000 on a mid-range refresh.
7. Bathroom Refresh: $1,000–$4,000
A refresh can yield strong returns.
8. New Flooring: $2,000–$7,000
Hardwood floors are the single most-mentioned feature in buyer searches on Zillow and Redfin.
Expected value added: 2–3% of home value for whole-house new flooring.
9. Garage Door Replacement: $4,000–$5,000
This is the single highest-ROI improvement in the entire 2025 Cost vs. Value Report.
2025 Cost vs. Value ROI: ~248%
10. Steel Entry Door Replacement: $2,400
2025 Cost vs. Value ROI: ~216%
Major Renovations: $10,000+
11. Manufactured Stone Veneer: ~$10,000–$12,000
2025 Cost vs. Value ROI: ~208%
12. Major Kitchen Remodel: $40,000–$70,000
A kitchen that is genuinely outdated can hold back an entire home's sale price.
13. Bathroom Addition: $25,000–$45,000
Homes with more bathrooms command higher prices.
14. Fiber-Cement Siding Replacement: $18,000–$24,000
2025 Cost vs. Value ROI: ~114%
15. Roof Replacement: $28,000–$35,000
2025 Cost vs. Value ROI: ~68% (but critical for sale-ability)
What NOT to Spend Money On
- Swimming pools
- Over-improving for the neighborhood
- Luxury finishes in entry-level homes
- High-end landscaping
- Full home office conversions
Home Value Improvements by ROI: Data Table
| Improvement | Avg Cost | Approx Value Added | ROI % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Garage Door Replacement | $4,600 | $11,400+ | ~248% |
| Steel Entry Door Replacement | $2,400 | $5,200+ | ~216% |
| Manufactured Stone Veneer | $11,000 | $22,900+ | ~208% |
| Minor Kitchen Remodel (refresh) | $28,500 | $32,200+ | ~113% |
| Fiber-Cement Siding | $21,500 | $24,500+ | ~114% |
| Vinyl Siding Replacement | $18,000 | $17,500+ | ~97% |
| Wood Deck Addition | $18,000 | $17,100+ | ~95% |
| Midrange Bathroom Remodel | $26,000 | $20,800+ | ~80% |
| Vinyl Window Replacement | $22,100 | $16,800+ | ~76% |
| Basement Finishing | $32,000 | $22,700+ | ~71% |
| Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement | $31,900 | $21,700+ | ~68% |
| Bathroom Addition (midrange) | $25,000 | $13,300+ | ~53% |
| Major Kitchen Remodel | $60,000 | $22,800+ | ~38% |
How to Prioritize Improvements Before Selling
- Start with what buyers see first: curb appeal.
- Fix condition issues before adding cosmetics.
- Focus on kitchens and bathrooms.
- Price your improvements against your neighborhood ceiling.
- Think in terms of objection removal, not feature addition.
Frequently asked questions
#### How much does adding a bathroom increase home value?
Adding a bathroom typically adds $10,000–$25,000 in home value depending on the market, size, and quality of the addition.
#### Does landscaping increase home value?
Yes. NAR data shows that professional landscaping can increase perceived home value by 5–11%.
#### Does a new roof increase home value?
A new roof doesn't typically increase your home's appraised value above market — it prevents your value from being discounted.
#### How can I increase my home value without major renovations?
Focus on the high-return, low-cost improvements: fresh neutral interior paint, curb appeal cleanup, and deep cleaning.
#### What increases home value the most per dollar spent?
Per the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, garage door replacement (~248% ROI), steel entry door replacement (~216%), and manufactured stone veneer (~208%) deliver the highest returns per dollar invested.