Whether you’re looking to sell your home at a record price or planning to stay for the long-term to avoid an elevated mortgage rate, 2025 could be the year to take on some remodeling projects.
Indeed 93 percent of homeowners are planning improvement projects this year, while 46 percent are plotting large-scale projects over the next five years.
Longtime producer of the New Jersey Home & Garden Show, Eric Udler, has revealed exactly which improvements could add the most value to your home this year.
‘Homeowners are not only interested in finding ways to live comfortably, but also to improve the value of their homes,’ Udler told Realtor.com.
‘Fixing up your kitchen? No-brainer. Fixing up your bathroom? Another no-brainer,’ Udler said.
But Udler’s top tip is to not overlook working on the backyard this year.
Investing in a deck for the back garden can bring between a 68 percent to 83 percent return on investment, according to a recent report by by Remodeling Magazine.
‘People want to be able to relax outside and have the creature comforts of the inside, outside,’ Udler explained.
One housing expert said working on the backyard is their top tip for accruing value in 2025
Eric Udler, producer of the New Jersey Home & Garden Show, is a home renovation expert
According to Udler, outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular as outdoor TVs and lounge spaces are no longer reserved for those living in warmer states such as California and Florida.
Contractors and designers are increasingly creating outdoor features that can stand up to rain and frigid temperatures, Realtor.com reported.
The next trend Udler recommends homeowners jump on is electrifying their homes.
‘The one new thing I’ve seen is with so many folks driving electric vehicles [EVs], it’s all about electrification in the home,’ Udler told the publication.
‘That’s a big thing.’
Just 0.9 percent of homes listed for sale in 2023 were described as EV-friendly, according to Realtor.com research.
The desire to make more homes EV-friendly is only growing with the increase in EV ownership across the country.
Adding a dedicated EV charger to a home means drivers can charge their vehicle faster.
Homeowners with EVs are jumping on the trend of electrifying their homes
93 percent of homeowners are planning improvement projects this year
Kitchen renovation are a popular remodeling option for homeowners
It also has the added use of offering an alternative source of power for the entire home during a blackout.
Investing in a good first impression is also a must for adding value to a home, Udler insists.
‘A lot of people are looking at putting a fresh coat of paint on their homes,’ Udler explained.
‘Last year, people seemed more interested in wallpapering, but now they want to improve the look and feel of the inside and outside.’
Replacing a tatty front door and cleaning out clogged gutters can also help a property’s curb appeal to a potential buyer.
Many Americans are choosing to stay put in their homes, rather than selling and moving, in part due to elevated mortgage rates.
While mortgage rates began to fall last fall, they soon climbed back up and have remained elevated through late 2024 and into 2025.
According to the latest data from Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 6.87 percent as of February 13.
link