10/28/2026
π‘ WEDNESDAY WISDOM | HANAHAN
Hello friends!!
π° Which home improvements actually give you the best return on your investment?
You might be surprised by the numbers!
I was looking through the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report for Charleston, and some of the findings really stood out.
Here's how much of the cost homeowners could potentially recover when selling:
πͺ Garage door replacement: 208%
π New steel front door: 195%
π¨ Minor kitchen remodel: 102%
π Bathroom remodel: 62%
π½οΈ Major kitchen remodel: 53%
These are estimated returns for the Charleston market, not guarantees for individual homes.
Think about that last number. Someone spending $80,000 on a major kitchen renovation might only see about $42,000 added to their home's resale value.
Meanwhile, improvements like fresh paint, landscaping, pressure washing, and taking care of those smaller maintenance items can make a noticeable difference without breaking the bank.
After 21 years in real estate, I've seen how easy it is for homeowners to spend money on improvements that buyers simply aren't willing to pay extra for.
My advice? Before making a major investment in your home, especially if you're thinking about selling in the next few years, find out what similar homes in your neighborhood are actually selling for.
There's a difference between improving your home for your own enjoyment and improving it to maximize resale value. Both are worthwhile, but the financial returns can be very different.
Sometimes the smartest investment is knowing what NOT to renovate!
Source: 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Charleston, SC.