A New Survey Reveals Interesting Insights on How To Increase Home Value in 2024

A key point to focus on in the competitive real estate market is learning how to increase your home’s value. Investors and home owners often struggle to figure out what home improvements are going to provide the biggest return (aka ROI). To find practical ways to do this, we asked real estate experts (real estate agents, investors and appraisers) focusing on home sales and market trends. These professionals shared their knowledge on:

• Which home improvements deliver the highest returns?
• How are buyer preferences evolving?
• How can homeowners increase their property’s appeal in today’s market?

The complete results of the survey are below.

Key Takeaway Statistics:

• 95% of real estate professionals identified kitchen remodels as the highest return-on-investment home improvement.
• 70% of respondents said energy-efficient windows and doors are the most attractive upgrades to potential buyers.
• 60% of respondents believe smart home features slightly increase a home’s sale price, while 25% see no impact.
• 90% of real estate professionals agree that fresh paint is the most cost-effective repair to boost a property’s appeal.
• 75% of respondents say high-quality countertops like granite or quartz are a top feature buyers look for in a remodeled kitchen.
• 50% of real estate experts advise against investing in high-end finishes for kitchen remodels in mid-range homes.
• 50% of professionals believe a minor bathroom remodel adds 5%–10% to the home’s value.
• 40% of respondents agree that adding a bathroom offers a moderate value boost of 10%–15%.
• 70% of experts say the decision to upgrade the master bathroom or add a second bathroom depends on the home’s size and layout.
• 35% of respondents believe insulation upgrades are less appealing compared to more visible energy-efficient improvements.

Kitchen Remodeling Helping Yield Highest Return on Investments When Selling A Property

The survey shows 95% of real estate experts favor kitchen remodels for boosting property value. Landscaping and curb appeal also matter, with 70% highlighting their importance. Michael McGuirk from William Pit explained, “There is one thing that I tell all my clients. The biggest return on investment when selling your home is painting the front door. It’s amazing what a can of paint can do. And this goes to what I think is by far the most important thing to get your home ready to list and that is curb appeal. I can’t say enough about how it sets the tone for the rest of the house.”

Bathroom remodels were seen as a good investment by 65% of experts. Only 35% thought adding extra rooms was a top priority, showing it’s less important than kitchen or exterior upgrades.

Green Investments: Energy-Efficient Improvements Buyers Love

Most experts (70%) say energy-efficient windows and doors are the best upgrade because they save money and make homes more comfortable.

High-efficiency HVAC systems come next, with 55% saying they help control the home’s temperature and lower energy bills. Smart thermostats, picked by 40%, are popular for being easy to use.

Insulation upgrades, chosen by 35%, save energy in the long run and impress eco-friendly buyers.

Do Smart Home Features Really Pay Off In Maximizing Property Value?

In the survey, 60% of experts said smart home features slightly increase a home’s value, while 25% said they have no impact.

Joe Boone, an investor, explained, “Features like this are very personalized and you cannot assume the buyer is going to pay more for features like this. Again, it all comes down to what similar houses in the same area are currently selling for and what features they have. If all of the houses in the area that are selling at the highest dollar per square-foot have smart features, then you will not be able to sell your house for the highest dollar unless your property also has smart features.”

Interestingly, 15% of experts believe smart home features can really increase sale prices. While these features might not decide every sale, they communicate that the rest of the home might be up to date as well making it more attractive.

Affordable Upgrades That Attract Buyers

The survey shows that fresh paint is the top choice, with 90% of experts saying it can transform a space. Landscaping and yard clean-up are next at 80%, showing how important curb appeal is.

Small updates, like new kitchen hardware (60%) and light fixtures (55%), can also make a big difference.

Plus, 40% of experts mentioned minor bathroom upgrades, like new fixtures and lighting, as affordable improvements.

In contrast, bigger repairs like replacing floors (25%), fixing plumbing (15%), and maintaining roofs (10%) are considered less cost-effective because they are more expensive and take longer. Overall, the results show that simple, attractive updates are smart choices for sellers.

Understanding The Value Boost From Kitchen Remodels

The survey shows that a kitchen remodel is seen as a good investment.

• 75% of experts believe a kitchen remodel increases home value by 10-15%.
• 10% think it can boost value by 15-20%.
• 20% say the increase might be less than 10%.

This shows that while kitchen upgrades are often a smart choice, the value they add can depend on the quality of the work and the housing market.

Minor Updates vs. Major Renovations: What Investors Prefer

The survey shows that most real estate investors prefer minor updates over full kitchen renovations. 55% believe small changes, like painting and hardware updates, are effective.

Another 55% say the choice should depend on the property type and location.

Only 20% support a full kitchen renovation, while 15% favor cosmetic upgrades like new lighting or countertops, and 10% focus on upgrading appliances.

Overall, many investors see more value in smaller, cheaper improvements rather than big renovations.

Appliance Upgrades: Worth the Investment?

The survey shows mixed views on the return from upgrading kitchen appliances. 35% believe these upgrades can provide a 50-70% return, seeing it as a good investment.

However, 20% expect less than 50%, and 10% think there will be no significant impact. Another 10% think the return could be 70-90%, while 5% believe it could exceed 90%.

Overall, many see potential value in upgrading appliances, but opinions vary on how much it will help.

Top 5 Kitchen Elements Buyers Are Looking For

Here are the top 5 features buyers look for in a remodeled kitchen:

• High-Quality Countertops: 75% of buyers want beautiful countertops like granite or quartz.
• Modern Appliances: 70% prefer energy-efficient appliances, like stainless steel.
• Open Layout: 60% value an open layout that makes the kitchen feel spacious.
• Ample Storage and Cabinet Space: 60% appreciate plenty of storage.
• Modern Lighting Fixtures: 45% want modern lighting that brightens up the space.

These features show that buyers seek kitchens that are both stylish and functional. According to Pure Home, a Kitchen Remodeling Company, the more attention is paid to all these top elements, the better it works in helping maximizing value.

Are High-End Finishes Worth It for Mid-Range Properties?

When it comes to using high-end finishes in kitchen remodels for mid-range homes, the answers show mixed feelings:

• Local Market Matters: 40% of people think it really depends on where you live. Some areas might value high-end finishes more than others.
• Stick to Standard Finishes: Half of the respondents (50%) believe it’s better to use standard or mid-range finishes instead of going for expensive ones.
• Certain Features Might Be Worth It: About 35% think it’s okay to spend more on specific things, like countertops or appliances, but not the entire kitchen.
• A Few Say Go for It: Only 5% believe that using high-end finishes can really boost a home’s value.

Overall, most people think it’s safer to stick with standard finishes for mid-range homes, while only a few see the value in spending more.

How Much Value Can a Bathroom Update Add?

A bathroom remodel can impact a home’s value in different ways. Half of the respondents (50%) think it leads to a minor increase of about 5% to 10%. About 40% see it as a moderate increase, around 10% to 15%.

Only 20% believe it can result in a significant boost of over 15%. Brett Johnson from New Era Home Buyers, explained, “Upgrading kitchens and bathrooms typically offers the highest return on investment. I’ve had several properties where small changes—like modern fixtures, energy-efficient appliances, or an open-concept layout—added substantial value.”

The majority of the people feel that a bathroom remodel helps increase a property’s value, but mainly as a minor or moderate improvement.

Does Adding a Bathroom Really Increase Home Value?

Here’s how adding a bathroom can affect a home’s value:

• 20% said it would increase the value by a small amount (5%–10%).
• 40% think it could boost the value by 10%–15%.
• 15% believe it could raise the value by more than 15%.
• 15% think it could add over 20% in value.
• 40% said the impact depends on the size of the home.

Adding a bathroom can raise value, but it eventually comes down to the home and market.

Balancing Choices: Upgrading or Adding a Bathroom

The survey shows mixed views on whether to upgrade the master bathroom or add a second one.

While 30% think both are equally beneficial, 70% say it depends on the home’s size and layout.

Coming to specific preferences, 40% recommend adding a second bathroom, while 25% prefer upgrading the master bathroom.

Conclusion

The survey shows that making smart home improvements can help increase a property’s value. Upgrading kitchens, adding energy-saving features, and using modern appliances are some of the best ways to attract buyers.

Simple updates like fresh paint and fixing up the yard are also great ways to make a home look more appealing without spending too much money.

On an overall scale, real estate professionals agree that it’s important to match upgrades with what buyers are looking for in today’s market.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online with 20 real estate professionals, whose experience ranged from 1 year to over 12 years in the industry. They provided their responses and insights along with comments, which were valuable in helping us analyze and understand the best ways to improve property value.