5 Home Upgrades That Pay You Back, According to Rachel Cruze
The 2026 Houzz Renovation Plans Report found that 13% of homeowners expected to begin home renovation projects in the new year, with the majority planning to hire professionals and deal with rising costs.
The right home upgrades can make your home look better, add functionality, boost your family's comfort and increase your property's value. However, renovation and remodeling projects are often expensive, so you'll want to choose wisely to get the most value for your money.
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In a recent YouTube video, money expert Rachel Cruze recommended five home upgrades that pay you back. Find out what type of return on investment (ROI) you can get for these projects.
Kitchen and Bath Upgrades
Cruze said, "These are two spaces that often require the biggest overhaul because you have flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, appliances -- like there's a lot that goes into this."
While kitchen and bath remodels can run tens of thousands of dollars, the return can be high. Cruze cited 2025 data from the Journal of Light Construction (JLC) showing that a minor kitchen remodel had a national average ROI of 113%. The same data indicated that homeowners typically recoup 80% of the cost of a midrange bath remodel, but your results will vary.
Cruze suggested light or neutral colors when upgrading these spaces since bold colors can turn off future buyers. Plus, you may want to avoid upscale upgrades and bathroom additions, as JLC's data indicated they had much higher costs and lower ROIs.
Neutral Tile and Hardwood Floors
Whether you'd like to upgrade all your flooring or just select areas like your living room and kitchen, Cruze recommends choosing neutral tile or hardwood for the best value. These materials easily appeal to future buyers who want something timeless and durable that won't clash with the other colors in their furniture and decor.
Angi listed typical per-foot price ranges of $6 to $25 for hardwood and $15 to $20 for tile in 2025. The site also noted that the ROI depends on the specific material, such as 75% for hardwood.
Some ways to save on your new flooring include comparing prices online, choosing economical grades or finishes and doing some prep work yourself, such as removing the existing flooring.
New Carpet
If tile or hardwood flooring is outside your budget, replacing your carpet can make your home more personally valuable now, especially if there are prominent stains that annoy you. Plus, it might help you financially when it's time to sell.
Cruze explained, "Less carpet is ideal for a lot of buyers, but clean carpet, new carpet feels better."
According to Angi, the typical per-square-yard cost was $30 to $50 in 2025, with polyester, nylon, and polypropylene among the cheapest materials. It also noted that carpet replacement ROIs range from 50% to 80%. You can save money if you choose your carpet wisely, look for discounted or clearance rolls and manage prep work yourself.
New Garage Door
If your garage door has major aesthetic issues or doesn't function properly or safely, a new one can improve your home's curb appeal, resolve annoying problems and possibly lower your utility bills. And as Cruze explained, the ROI for this simple home upgrade is surprisingly high.
JLC's 2025 national average data indicated that you could recoup 268% of the cost of a garage door replacement, with a $4,672 job cost resulting in $12,507 in resale value. However, you should also factor in other potential expenses, including garage door opener replacement.
To keep your costs down, consider a simple yet functional door style and more economical materials, such as aluminum, steel or composite.
Landscaping and Curb Appeal
Cruze said, "If you don't have margins for like really big expensive updates, honestly, just going and pulling weeds and scrubbing your windows and putting a fresh coat of paint on your shutters and your mailbox, all of that goes a really long way."
What's nice about these updates is that they yield quick results and are relatively easy to do yourself, which keeps your costs low. But hiring a professional landscaper can also pay off.
For example, the National Association of Realtors' 2023 Remodeling Impact Report listed a 217% return on a standard lawn care service and a 104% return on landscape maintenance. However, other services, such as tree care and landscape lighting, didn't result in fully recouped costs.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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