Best Home Improvements for ROI

If you’re planning to list your home for sale, you’re probably looking for ways to make more money selling your home without spending a fortune on renovations. The good news is that strategic, cost-effective improvements can boost your home’s value and attract buyers without requiring a full remodel.

By focusing on high-return projects like fresh paint, curb appeal enhancements, and minor repairs, you can create a home that looks well-maintained and move-in ready. The key is to make smart, budget-friendly updates that appeal to buyers while ensuring you price your home correctly for the market. Here are the best home improvements for maximizing your return on investment.

Fresh Paint: The Easiest ROI Booster

One of the simplest and most affordable ways to refresh your home before selling is with a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors like light gray, beige, and soft white create a clean, blank canvas that allows buyers to envision themselves in the space. Bold or outdated colors can be distracting and may turn buyers away.

When choosing paint, opt for high-quality, washable finishes that enhance the home’s brightness and make rooms feel larger. A freshly painted interior signals to buyers that the home has been well cared for, increasing its perceived value and helping you make more money selling your home with minimal investment.

Curb Appeal Matters: Landscaping & Exterior Touch-Ups

First impressions matter, and your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers will see. A neglected yard or worn-out entryway can make buyers hesitant before they even step inside. Simple landscaping improvements—such as adding fresh mulch, trimming bushes, and planting seasonal flowers—can instantly boost curb appeal.

Power washing the driveway, walkways, and siding can make an older home look new again. Consider staging your front porch with a fresh coat of paint on the front door, a new welcome mat, and potted plants to create an inviting entrance. These small, low-cost improvements can significantly impact a buyer’s first impression and ultimately help you make more money selling your home.

Kitchen Updates Without a Full Remodel

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms for buyers, but a full remodel can be expensive and time-consuming. Instead, focus on small, high-impact updates that enhance the space without breaking the bank.

Start by staging your kitchen with a fresh, modern look by painting outdated cabinets, swapping old hardware for sleek new handles, or installing a stylish backsplash. Replacing dated light fixtures and upgrading to energy-efficient LED bulbs can also make the space feel brighter and more inviting. These simple changes can help you make more money selling your home by giving buyers a fresh, updated kitchen without the cost of a major renovation.

Bathroom Refreshes That Make an Impact

A clean, updated bathroom can be a big selling point, and you don’t need a complete renovation to make a difference. Replacing outdated fixtures—such as faucets, showerheads, and vanity lights—instantly modernizes the space. If your tile looks worn, re-grouting or deep cleaning can give it a fresh, like-new appearance.

Consider painting or refinishing an old vanity instead of replacing it, and add new cabinet hardware for a stylish upgrade. Even small details, like swapping out an old mirror for a framed one or installing a new towel bar, can make the bathroom feel more luxurious. These budget-friendly updates will help ensure you price your home correctly while making your home more appealing to buyers.

Flooring Fixes That Attract Buyers

Floors set the tone for a home’s overall feel, and worn-out or outdated flooring can be a major turnoff for buyers. If you have hardwood floors, refinishing them can dramatically improve your home’s look and value. For those with carpet, a deep cleaning or replacing old carpeting with affordable laminate or vinyl plank flooring can give the home a fresh, modern appeal.

If replacing flooring isn’t in your budget, focus on repairing any visible damage, such as scratches or stains. Clean, well-maintained floors are essential for staging your home effectively and ensuring buyers see it as move-in ready. Investing in simple flooring fixes can help you make more money selling your home while keeping your costs manageable.

Lighting & Fixtures: Small Changes, Big Impact

Lighting plays a crucial role in how your home feels to potential buyers. Dark, outdated lighting can make a space feel smaller and less inviting, while bright, modern lighting can create an open, welcoming atmosphere.

Start by replacing old, dated light fixtures with affordable, stylish options that complement your home’s design. Swap out yellow-toned bulbs for bright, energy-efficient LED bulbs to enhance the lighting in each room. Adding under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen or installing dimmer switches in key areas can also create a high-end feel without a high-end price. These simple upgrades not only improve the look of your home but also help you make more money selling your home by increasing buyer appeal.

Minor Repairs That Prevent Buyer Hesitation

Even small, overlooked maintenance issues can make buyers question whether a home has been well cared for. Before you list your home for sale, take the time to tackle minor repairs that could raise red flags during a showing or inspection.

Fix leaky faucets, tighten loose doorknobs, and repair any scuffed or damaged drywall. Squeaky doors can be easily silenced with a bit of lubricant, and outdated or broken outlet covers should be replaced. Ensuring that all appliances and HVAC systems are in working order can also prevent buyers from negotiating for costly repairs later. By addressing these small issues upfront, you’ll make your home feel move-in ready and increase its perceived value.

Conclusion

When preparing to list your home for sale, you don’t need to invest in expensive renovations to maximize your return. Simple, cost-effective updates like fresh paint, improved curb appeal, and minor repairs can make a significant impact. Staging your home with strategic improvements helps buyers see its full potential while ensuring you price your home correctly for a faster, more profitable sale.

By focusing on these budget-friendly projects, you can make more money selling your home without overspending. A little effort now can lead to a higher selling price and a smoother transaction when it’s time to close the deal.

Jesse Cruz

15:27 30 Apr 24

I just want to say that you Wyant is one of the best agents that I have had the pleasure of working with. He’s very detail orientated. He is very helpful. He goes the extra mile he ensures that you have all the information and knowledge that you need to help, you be successful in the sale of your home and to get everything that you look for in your asking price very humble very kind and respectful gentleman that goes the extra mile. I definitely will always use Drew when I need more assistance with properties thank you for your dedicated work.

Annette Martin

15:43 29 Apr 24

Our experience with Drew was phenomenal. He was respectful, professional, caring, and he went above and beyond. He provides a full service realty experience from beginning to end. You won't go wrong by choosing to work with Drew!

Valdeci Viana

22:33 20 Apr 24

Drew does a fantastic job supporting his customers.I bought one house with his support and sold another one.It couldn’t be better. He overachieved my expectations.Future businesses, for sure he will be my support!

Whitney LaRue

22:10 19 Apr 24

My husband and I were referred to Drew through our realtor in Missouri and we could not have asked for a better person to handle our home selling process. Drew is very professional and would respond quickly to any question we had at any reasonable hour. To top it off he was extremely proactive and actually had a client for our home before we even listed it on the market. Will definitely use again in the future if we need a realtor and will recommend to all friends and family! Thank you again for all your hard work Drew!

Sethu Raghavan

15:57 19 Apr 24

Drew is great to work with and highly recommended. He is genuinely wanting to ensure satisfaction.

Divakar Rajamohan

21:06 13 Feb 24

I am very pleased with Drew’s work as realtor who helped sold my house during challenging time - winter season combined with interest rates being high. Drew was very professional and customer friendly. He was available to answer questions I had all the time and very responsive. I am very happy with how he handled everything right from the beginning suggesting what work needs to be done before putting the house on market to taking care of the repair work from house inspection report after the offer. He made the entire process stress free. I would highly recommend Drew to anyone looking for realtor.

aishwarya g

13:52 17 Jan 24

Drew is an exceptional realtor! Sold our house at a reasonable price in a challenging market with high interest rates. Managed everything from pictures to negotiating offers to inspection and repairs seamlessly. Made the out-of-state process so stress-free for us. Highly recommended for a professional and efficient experience.

matthew streeval

23:28 15 Jan 24

Drew is the best real estate agent we ever had selling or buying a home. He met with us and explained how the process would go step by step. Every time we contacted him he returned our calls, emails, or texts within the same day if not minutes. He is very ethical and kind, we highly recommend anyone buying or selling a house contact Drew Wyant. Joe and Cheryl Streeval

christopher albers

18:45 03 Jan 24

My wife and I met Drew while initially asking to see a home through Zillow. We were blessed and fortunate to have met him and used him as our realtor. Drew showed us many homes and was always available whenever we asked. He gave us his valuable feedback on the homes we viewed and we trusted him as if he was buying a home for his own family. He is very experienced in the Columbus and Nashville areas and also has a a keen eye for the construction and quality of homes in the area. Drew's goal was aligned with ours, helping us find our forever home. He was even willing to show us homes listed as for sale by owner. I highly recommend using Drew as your realtor.