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Renovation ROI

Will this reno pay you back at resale?

Pick a project type, enter cost and home value. See % recouped, resale value bump, and how the market appreciation stacks against your investment.

96%

cost recouped at resale

Minor kitchen remodel

Project & home

Outcome

Value added

$25,920

Cost recouped

96%

Home value in

$492,691

…with reno

$522,740

Net at sale

$3,048

Annualized

-0.8%

Freedom Coach™

Minor kitchen remodel: recoup ~96% — ~$25,920 of a $27,000 spend.

You'll get ~$25,920 back at sale — treat the ~$1,080 gap as the "quality of life" cost of enjoying it now.

  • Top ROI projects: garage door, minor kitchen, siding, curb appeal — all recoup 85%+.
  • Worst ROI: primary suite addition, major kitchen — you pay for luxury, not value.
  • Every year you enjoy the reno = extra utility not captured in "% recouped."

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Save multiple projects, compare ROI side-by-side, and export a bid-ready spec sheet.

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Frequently asked questions

Which home renovations recoup the most at resale?

Per Remodeling Magazine's 2024 Cost vs. Value report: garage door replacement (194%), minor kitchen remodel (96%), siding (88%), and curb appeal upgrades (88%) are the top ROI projects.

Which renovations lose the most money?

Primary suite additions (~35% recouped) and major kitchen remodels (~49%) are the lowest-ROI projects. You pay for luxury and enjoyment, not resale value.

How is 'cost recouped' calculated?

It's the ratio of project cost to the resale value bump. A $10k reno that adds $8k to your sale price = 80% cost recouped.

Do renovations always add value?

Not always. Over-improving for your neighborhood (a $100k kitchen in a $300k home area) rarely returns full cost. Match improvements to your local market.

Should I renovate before selling or price 'as-is'?

Focus on high-ROI, low-cost projects: paint, curb appeal, minor kitchen updates. Skip major remodels within 1 year of listing — you rarely recoup them.

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