
Key insights:
- Historically, home sellers invested in improvement projects before listing to generate more interest in their property.
- Today’s sellers hold a keen advantage in the market, so they should be sure to update only what is necessary before listing their home for sale.
- Data shows that some of the least expensive projects — such as a new garage door or a new front door — can have the greatest impact on a sale.
You’ve likely seen the headlines: It’s a seller's market, which means that they hold a big advantage in today’s market. With this news, you may not plan to update anything on your property before you list it for sale. If your home is in the right neighborhood and in good condition, this may be just fine! But if your home is outdated, you may get an even higher bid if you give it a little polish before selling.
But which projects can have the biggest impact for sellers? Shouldn’t some updates be reserved for homeowners who plan to stay in their homes and enjoy them for a few years?
These are the questions we asked as we dove into the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com). This comprehensive report details the cost and value of home improvement projects across the country, and it even breaks the data out by region and city.
Based on that report, here are the projects Twin Cities homeowners should take on if they want to recoup the most on their initial investment.
1. Garage door replacement
Cost: $4,803
Resale value: $6,730
Cost recouped: 104.1%
When it comes to home updates, practicality can’t be beat! A new garage door is a solid investment, as it’s not something that’s necessarily an exciting update for potential new buyers. A new garage door can help with home security, energy savings and maintenance costs. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for homeowners to boost curb appeal and improve aesthetics!
Keep your current motor and replace the door with a four-section, galvanized steel version with pinch-resistant, thermal sealing and new tracks. A double coat of industrial paint and a lifetime warranty will help prevent any issues down the road. One note: if you’re adding a garage with top panel windows (and you should!), make sure they are ½ inch insulated frosted glass for weather proofing and security.
2. Steel entry door replacement
Cost: $2,409
Resale value: $2,866
Cost recouped: 119.0%
Just like a new garage door, a new entry door made of steel is a sound investment as it’s a low-cost renovation that adds security, helps save energy and ups the curb appeal.
Replace your current door with a steel version that’s factory finished with the same color on both sides and has a dual-pane half-glass panel. New door jambs and lockset complete the project.
3. Manufactured stone veneer
Cost: $11,748
Resale value: $11,617
Cost recouped: 98.9%
If you’ve seen new construction homes over the last few years, you know that partial stone veneers are all the rage. Current homeowners can also freshen up an aging exterior by adding a stone veneer accent to the bottom third of their home.
To complete this project, you’ll first remove the bottom third of siding from the street-facing side of your home exterior, then replace this area with a stone veneer, including sills, 40 corners, an address block and a detailed faux-stone archway around the front door. The installation also includes protection against water damage and corrosion.
You’ll be amazed at how this easy stone addition gives your home’s exterior a modern facelift!
4. Minor, mid-range kitchen remodel
Cost: $28,132
Resale value: $22,764
Cost recouped: 80.9%
A modest kitchen upgrade can better maximize space, increase accessibility and provide enough of a cosmetic improvement to bring a dated kitchen back to life.
Replacing a number of key appliances, cabinet/drawer faces and hardware, along with cost-effective flooring and counters and a fresh coat of paint on walls, trim and ceiling can offer buyers a blank slate that showcases the functionality of a crucial space.
Voila! A not-too-expensive update that saves you the cost of all new cabinetry or high-end finishes.
5. Fiberglass grand entrance
Cost: $11,892
Resale value: $8,620
Cost recouped: 72.5%
Replacing a standard entry door with a grander entrance can add a lot of curb appeal to your property. Fiberglass’s unique material keeps it energy-efficient and durable while being highly customizable, even able to mimic wood grain.
Start by removing the standard entry door and then cut and reframe the door opening for a larger door with dual sidelights. Customize the entrance with upscale finishes like color, threshold, lockset and decorative half-glass with sidelights.
An upscale fiberglass entry adds a big “wow” and should only take a day to complete.
Want more info on the ROI of home projects?
We’ve detailed the five projects with the highest return on investment, but the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report also shared the five projects with the lowest ROI in the Twin Cities. If you plan to move soon, you may want to avoid adding an owner’s suite or a brand-new bathroom.
Here are the home improvement projects with the lowest ROI locally:
- Upscale owner’s suite addition (18.0% recouped from budget of $370,214)
- Upscale bathroom addition (26.0% of $113,165)
- Midrange bathroom addition (26.6% of $64,868)
- Midrange owner’s suite addition (27.9% of $174,980)
- Upscale major kitchen remodel (31.1% of $161,085)
Wondering what other remodeling projects were reviewed for the Minneapolis region? Check out the complete 2024 Cost vs. Value Report for our area.
Get expert guidance before you sell
Keep in mind that it may be smartest to take on higher-cost, lower-ROI projects only if you plan to be in the home for a few more years. After all, your own enjoyment of these projects can certainly count as a return on your investment!
However, if your updates are solely intended to sell your home faster or for more money, reach out for advice on the most cost-effective, impactful changes you can make to your property.
Complete data from the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com, Distributed by Remodeling by JLC, ©2025 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation.