In December of 2025, there were 47% more home sellers than buyers in the market. While buying remains competitive in areas like the Northeast, overall, homeowners will need to be more mindful of where they are investing in their properties with the intention of attracting offers. Sellers often enter the market thinking that expensive, full-gut remodels will give them the highest return on investment, but as it turns out, there are more economical ways to increase equity in your home.
According to a recent analysis from Ace Handyman Services, ROI in 2026 is less about large, flashy projects, and more about eliminating uncertainty for the buyer. Below are nine projects that most efficiently increase resell value for sellers.
1. Garage Door Replacement
Few projects influence curb appeal as dramatically as a garage door replacement. Garage doors occupy a large portion of the home front and center, meaning its condition gives a strong first impression of the overall home. While not necessarily a cheap project (averaging around $4,600), it can yield over 200% in ROI.
From the buyer’s perspective, a new, well-functioning garage door signals responsible ownership, generating confidence that other areas in the home may also be properly cared for.
2. Entry Door Upgrades
Much like with the garage door, buyers will form opinions about the entire house from just the state of the front door. While wood doors offer a traditional look and fiberglass is known to be durable, it’s actually steel that has the best ROI. Swapping a weathered threshold for a new steel model can actually double your spend, adding an average of $5,200 to the resale value.
From an appraisal standpoint, steel is also the gold standard for durability, as it offers superior fire resistance and thermal protection compared to fiberglass or wood. For the buyer, a heavy, secure steel door provides a sense of structural integrity, telling them the home is not only move-in ready, but built to last.
3. Landscaping Maintenance & Upgrades
Landscaping consistently contributes to higher resale values, even with only seemingly small improvements. Standard lawn care, routine maintenance, and basic upgrades such as walkways, planters, and shrubs reassure buyers that the property has not been neglected, while good landscaping design can help them envision actual use of the space. These strategic yet basic updates can provide an ROI of up to 217%.
That being said, buyers tend to prioritize low-maintenance exteriors, so the key here is clean and simple updates, rather than elaborate gardening.
4. Manufactured Stone Veneer Accents
Installing manufactured stone veneer accents on a home’s exterior delivers one of the highest ROIs among all home improvement projects, adding up to $24,000 in resale value. Though it offers a similar aesthetic and provides the same luxurious impression as real stone, it is cheaper to install, lower maintenance and can come in a wider variety of colors and patterns.
Especially in tract subdivisions, manufactured stone accents can differentiate a property without veering into pricey customization, making it a cost-effective way to make a property more competitive.
5. Refinishing or Installing Hardwood Floors
Floor condition is a non-negotiable for modern buyers. Carpet has been steadily decreasing in popularity for decades, particularly in a post-pandemic market where hygiene and air quality are prioritized. While in part this is due to so many new types of flooring becoming available, none of them are as good for resale value as hardwood.
Refinishing existing hardwoods or installing new ones returns between 118% and 147%. Buyers do not necessarily pay a premium for brand-new floors, but instead are willing to pay to avoid projects. Installing or refinishing hardwood is a notoriously messy and tedious project that many buyers would prefer to avoid. Seeing clean, consistent hardwood flooring gives an immediate sense of turnkey readiness, allowing buyers to imagine moving in without immediate commotion or cost.
6. Exterior Siding Replacement
Siding replacement, particularly fiber-cement or vinyl, delivers good ROI because it addresses a common buyer concern about long-term maintenance. Exterior siding is highly visible and costly to replace, making its condition especially influential during buyer evaluations.
When siding has been recently updated, buyers are less likely to discount the home for future repairs.
Beyond the look, new siding also signals better energy efficiency, especially for homes built in the 20th century or earlier. Modern siding systems include house wraps and insulation layers that drastically reduce thermal transfer. With ever-rising cooling and heating costs, a "tight" house is a more valuable house.
7. Interior Painting
A fresh coat of paint remains the gold standard of high-impact, low-cost maintenance, returning 107% on average, but typically only when sellers are pragmatic about the colors they choose.
Buyers are frequently turned off by dramatic or dated colors, scuffed walls, and visible wear, as these things signal future work on their part. Neutral paint provides a sort of blank canvas, allowing buyers to focus on layout and function rather than cosmetic shortcomings or whether they need to repaint before or after moving in furniture. According to one Zillow poll, that simplicity is precisely why buyers are willing to pay an additional ~$2000 for it.
8. Energy and Reliability Improvements
Thanks to rising utility rates and climate-related weather events, today’s buyers are far more aware of long-term operating costs than they were even a few years ago. A home that demonstrates lower monthly costs, improved comfort, and resilience during outages is often perceived as a safer long-term investment.
However environmental consciousness is also playing a growing role. While not every buyer is explicitly shopping for a “green” home, many are increasingly attentive to things like efficiency, sustainability, and reducing waste. Energy-efficient windows, electric HVAC systems, smart thermostats, and improved insulation can yield an ROI between 72% and 95%. More importantly, they can provide the seller with a powerful marketing tool. The promise of a lower utility bill can easily make a home a more attractive option than a less efficient competitor nearby.
9. Outdoor Living Features
According to a 2023 report, more buyers are seeking functional outdoor spaces in the post-pandemic market. Adding a patio, deck, or permanent fire feature expands the home's usable square footage and can yield an ROI of 85% to 100%.
While composite materials are popular for their low maintenance, real wood decks often perform better in pure ROI terms due to their lower initial installation cost. In a competitive market, a defined outdoor entertainment provides an immediate lifestyle benefit that buyers may not have funds or means to add on themselves post-closing.
Final Takeaway
In a market where sellers increasingly outnumber buyers, the greatest returns don’t always come from the highest cost or most labor-intensive upgrades.
Instead, homeowners preparing for a 2026 listing should instead prioritize features that reflect the current market’s demands. By investing in these nine areas, you can address the buyer's most pressing concerns and position your home as a smart, safe investment.
