6 Trending Home Renovations Buyers Want the Most

As we wrap up the last full month of summer, you might be thinking about putting your home on the market while it’s still very much a seller’s market and home prices remain high. But first, there’s work to be done. If your home is in need of an update or a renovation, consider these improvements that are likely to entice buyers.

Here are six home renovations buyers are looking for.

Also see whether these renovations are worth it.

Most real estate professionals agree that a fresh coat of interior paint is the first step toward home staging. This season, you can’t go wrong with warm neutrals that will make your home feel cozy as we head into fall. Interior designer Shea McGee told Forbes, “Now we’re going for the creams and these kinds of clay and putty colors. And I think that it just feels cozy.”

Upgrading the hardware on your kitchen cabinets is one of the most affordable upgrades you can make when you’re preparing your home for a sale. But a new trend can make it even more affordable. “I’m loving how much fun people are having with mixing metals,” Shae Wilder, manager of designer relations at BlueStar, told Forbes.

That means you can swap out cabinet hardware but leave pricier fixtures like your faucet and lighting intact for a quick update. Forbes recommended choosing a “default metal” for most of the room and then adding accents in a complementary color or material.

With rising home insurance rates and above-normal hurricane activity on the horizon in the Atlantic, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service forecasters, home renovations that will make your home safer during a storm can raise its value and potentially help reduce insurance costs for the new owners. Consider upgrading your roofing to an energy-efficient, wind-resistant metal roof.

Meanwhile, metal siding or brick veneers are designed to stand up to storms, according to the South Carolina-based experts at Rennison Roofing. These improvements will help with home staging by improving curb appeal while making your home safer for future occupants. In regions like the Southeast, where it is becoming harder to get home insurance, storm-proofing upgrades may even help make it possible to sell your home. A backup generator is also a good investment in hurricane- and tornado-prone regions.  

Take advantage of tax credits for up to 30% on certain energy efficient improvements and a home energy audit to determine the best renovations you should make. You can claim a $2,000 tax credit for heat pumps, biomass stoves, or biomass boilers, according to the IRS website. Solar panels, which can add value to your home, also qualify for a 30% tax credit from the federal government, plus incentives, rebates, and credits that might be available in your state.

A kitchen renovation remains a desirable, albeit pricey, upgrade before you sell your home. In 2024, homebuyers are looking for multifunctional kitchen islands, bold countertops made of natural materials like marble and stone, and breakfast nooks to bring the family together for meals.  

You can expect to get a 60% or so return on your investment when you renovate your bathroom, according to This Old House. To make the space even more desirable, consider sustainable upgrades like low-flow sinks and toilets to reduce water consumption, and natural elements like a moss wall or live plants to improve air quality.