Home Updates That Deliver the Biggest ROI

Thinking of Selling This Spring? These Home Updates  Deliver the Biggest Payoff

If you’re planning to sell this spring, now is the time to get moving. Waiting until flowers bloom or the market feels busier can actually put you behind. Today’s buyers have more choices than they did a few years ago, which means homes need to show well from day one.

That doesn’t mean you need a full renovation. It does mean being strategic.

The smartest sellers focus on improvements that truly move the needle, and that’s where return on investment, or ROI, data becomes incredibly helpful.

The Home Improvements That Add the Most Value

Each year, Zonda analyzes which home projects bring sellers the greatest return when it’s time  to list. The results often surprise people.

The chart highlights the projects with the strongest potential payoff. The green bars represent updates that typically return more than 100 percent of their cost at resale.

What stands out most? Some of the biggest winners are not major remodels. Simple exterior upgrades like replacing a garage door or front door consistently top the list. These projects deliver a strong visual impact without the price tag or disruption of a full renovation.

Small Updates Can Make a Big First Impression

This data is a great reminder that you don’t have to do everything, and you don’t have to overspend. In fact, doing nothing in today’s market can work against you.

With more inventory available, buyers often gravitate toward homes that feel well cared for and move-in ready. That means details matter. Worn doors, peeling paint, overgrown landscaping, or scuffed walls can quietly turn buyers off, even if they like the layout or location.

Interior designer and home stager Mallory Slesser summed it up well in an interview with National Association of Realtors:

Affordable updates like fresh paint, updated light fixtures, new hardware, and window treatments can completely change how a home feels, without a major investment.

These small improvements help buyers focus on the home itself, not the list of projects they think they’ll need to tackle after moving in.

Use the Chart as a Guide, Not a Checklist

Here’s the most important takeaway. National data is a starting point, not a one-size-fits-all strategy.

What adds value in one market, neighborhood, or price range may be unnecessary or excessive in another. That’s why it’s so important to look at your specific home, not just a national list.

A local real estate professional can help you decide:

• Which updates buyers in your area expect

• What you can skip without hurting your sale

• Where a small investment will have the biggest impact

• Whether updating makes sense, or selling as-is is the better move

That guidance helps you avoid over-improving while still positioning your home to stand out.

Bottom Line

If selling this spring is on your radar, you still have time to make thoughtful updates that help your home shine, without taking on a major renovation.

If you’re unsure where to start, a quick conversation can help you prioritize the changes that matter most for your home and your market.

What’s one upgrade you’ve been thinking about, and wondering if it’s really worth it?