Home Upgrades That Deliver the Best ROI

By Tony Apa

Tony brings a wealth of experience and passion to his real estate career, consistently delivering exceptional service to his clients.

If you’re thinking about selling, you’re probably asking the same question many homeowners ask: Which home upgrades actually give me the highest return on investment? Not every improvement adds value the same way, and some projects deliver far more impact than others.

Before investing in upgrades, it’s important to understand what’s happening in today’s market.

Portland real estate snapshot. A recent Redfin report shows that buyers are getting an average 7.9% discount nationwide. But real estate is local. In the Portland metro area, discounts are closer to 2.9% to 3% off the original list price.

This is not a crash. It’s simply the market adjusting and becoming more balanced. That means:

• Homes are taking about 89 days to sell, so buyers have a little more time
• There is room to negotiate, but big price cuts are not common
• When interest rates go down, more buyers enter the market, which can increase competition

Knowing this helps sellers price their homes correctly and decide which upgrades are worth investing in before listing.

Most valuable home improvements based on Ace Handyman Services. These are the upgrades highlighted in the Ace Handyman Services report that offer the highest return on investment and catch buyers’ attention first.

1. Garage door replacement ranks at the top. With an average cost of about $4,500, it delivers a 268% return on investment, potentially adding around $12,500 in value. That’s a strong return for a relatively simple improvement.

2. Lawn care and cleanup with a 217% return on investment. This is often something homeowners can do themselves, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to improve a home’s presentation.

3. The front door comes next at 216%. Whether replacing it with a solid, sturdy door or refinishing and painting it, this upgrade significantly boosts curb appeal.

4. Curb appeal and interior visuals. The common theme is visibility. Fresh paint, pressure washing, refinished hardwood floors, and interior paint all fall into the category of visual improvements that shape a buyer’s first impression.

While mechanical upgrades like a new furnace or water heater are important for maintenance, they are not typically what excites buyers during a showing. Deferred maintenance should be addressed, but when it comes to ROI, surface-level and curb-appeal improvements have the biggest impact.

If you’re thinking about selling this year and want ideas on upgrades or trusted contractor referrals, we’re happy to help. Feel free to reach out to us anytime at (503) 806-9773, by email tony@apaclarketeam.com, or by visiting apaclarketeam.com. We’d love to guide you through the process.