Home Improvement Month: What Projects Actually Pay Off?

Not all home improvements pay off, especially in today’s Denver market. With buyers favoring move-in-ready homes, the right updates can make all the difference. Here’s what projects deliver the best ROI (and which ones to skip).

May 14, 2026

In today’s real estate market, homebuyers are increasingly demanding move-in-ready homes to avoid the high costs, time commitments and stress of renovations. That’s why this Home Improvement Month, strategic updates matter more than ever. But which projects are actually worth the investment (and which aren’t)? Let’s break down what delivers the highest return on investment and how sellers can make smart, cost-effective updates that help their home stand out without over-improving.

With renovation costs still high and many buyers already struggling with affordability, taking on a major remodel after closing is far less appealing than it once was. That shift is showing up locally and it’s changing how sellers should think about home improvement. At the same time, broader market conditions in Denver are reinforcing a more strategic approach. As Amanda Snitker, Chair of the DMAR Market Trends Committee, noted in the April report, “the Denver Metro market has settled into something much more consistent and far less dramatic.” With median prices holding steady year-over-year and homes still moving quickly when priced right, sellers don’t need to over-improve to compete—they just need to be smart.

The Home Improvement Projects That Deliver ROI

A well-maintained, thoughtfully updated home is one of the best scenarios for any listing agent. In the same April report, Robin Wandschneider-Stiegelmar, Member of the DMAR Market Trends Committee and Commerce Bank Group Manager – Denver, emphasizes that “when it comes to recouping the cost of remodeling efforts, some projects deliver more return on investment (ROI) than others.” According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from Zonda Home (published in partnership with Remodeling Magazine), exterior home improvements continue to deliver the strongest return on investment, significantly outperforming larger interior remodels.

In fact, eight of the top 10 highest-ROI projects are exterior updates, highlighting the continued importance of curb appeal in today’s market.

Top-performing projects in 2025 include:

Garage Door Replacement: ~200%+ ROI
Steel Entry Door Replacement: ~180%+ ROI
Manufactured Stone Veneer: ~160%+ ROI
Minor Kitchen Remodel (Mid-range): ~100%+ ROI
Siding Replacement: ~100%+ ROI

Garage door replacement, in particular, continues to rank among the highest-return projects year after year, largely due to its impact on first impressions. So what’s the takeaway? It’s simple. Buyers place a premium on what they see first. Updates that improve curb appeal and overall condition tend to deliver the strongest returns because they shape how buyers perceive value from the moment they arrive.

Where Sellers Should Be Cautious

On the other hand, more extensive renovations don’t always deliver the return sellers expect. As outlined by the National Association of Realtors®, renovation decisions are most effective when they balance cost, timing and resale value, particularly for sellers preparing to list in the near term. High-cost additions and upscale remodels may still appeal to certain buyers, but they rarely translate into proportional gains at resale. Large-scale projects, like primary suite additions or luxury kitchen renovations, come with significant upfront costs that are difficult to recover.

In a fast-appreciating market, sellers might have gotten away with over-improving. In today’s market, buyers are more discerning and less willing to pay a premium for upgrades they didn’t choose themselves.

The Big Takeaway for Sellers

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to spend big to see results. Smaller, more affordable updates are often the most effective strategy, especially when they help position a home as move-in ready. This aligns closely with what we’re seeing across the Denver Metro market right now. Inventory has increased, giving buyers more options and more time to evaluate, but well-priced homes are still moving quickly, often in just a couple of weeks. That means condition matters.

As Amanda Snitker notes, “well-priced homes are not sitting idle despite the increase in available inventory.” Sellers who combine smart pricing with strategic, high-impact updates are best positioned to stand out and sell with confidence.

How Agents Can Guide the Conversation

For agents, Home Improvement Month is the perfect opportunity to help clients navigate this shift with clarity and confidence.

Consider guiding sellers to: