Curb appeal really does have a major impact on the return you'll see at resale. Among the top 10 home improvement projects with the highest return on investment (ROI) in Remodeling magazine's newly-released Cost vs. Value Report, nine are outdoor projects.

Related: 4 Resolutions for Home Improvements to Make in 2020 

Topping this year's list is Manufactured Stone Veneer, a project that has consistently ranked toward the top of the list since the project was added to the report in 2015.

Unsurprisingly, the report shows an increase in cost for all 22 projects listed; however, there is also a consistent dip across the board in terms of what the perceived value of each of these projects is. This is likely due to a market that was anything but smooth in 2019.

"Why the difference? The most likely answer is consumer jitters," says Clay DeKorne, chief editor of the JLC Group, which includes Remodeling magazine. "While remodeling professionals need to stay on point, they can breathe easy. Remodeling activity is growing at a slower rate than in years past, but it continues to grow."

 

Nationally, here are the 10 projects with the greatest ROI, according to the 2020 Cost vs. Value Report:

 

Manufactured Stone Veneer (95.6% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $9,357
  • Average Resale Value: $8,943

 

Garage Door Replacement (94.5% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $3,695
  • Average Resale Value: $3,491

 

Minor Kitchen Remodel (Midrange) (77.6% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $23,452
  • Average Resale Value: $18,206

 

Siding Replacement (Fiber-Cement) (77.6% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $17,008
  • Average Resale Value: $13,195

 

Siding Replacement (Vinyl) (74.7% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $14,359
  • Average Resale Value: $10,731

 

Window Replacement (Vinyl) (72.3% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $17,641
  • Average Resale Value: $12,761

 

Deck Addition (Wood) (72.1% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $14,360
  • Average Resale Value: $10,355

 

Window Replacement (Wood) (68.9% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $21,495
  • Average Resale Value: $14,804

 

Entry Door Replacement (Steel) (68.8% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $1,881
  • Average Resale Value: $1,294

 

Deck Addition (Composite) (66.8% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $19,856
  • Average Resale Value: $13,257

 

Nationally—and on the other end of the spectrum—here are the 10 projects with the lowest ROI:

 

Master Suite Addition (Upscale) (51.6% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $282,062
  • Average Resale Value: $145,486

 

 Grand Entrance (Fiberglass) (53.3% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $9,254
  • Average Resale Value: $4,930

 

Major Kitchen Remodel (Upscale) (53.9% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $135,547
  • Average Resale Value: $72,993

 

Bathroom Addition (Midrange) (54% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $49,598
  • Average Resale Value: $26,807

 

Bathroom Addition (Upscale) (54.7% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $91,287
  • Average Resale Value: $49,961

 

Bath Remodel (Upscale) (56.6% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $67,106
  • Average Resale Value: $37,995

 

 Master Suite Addition (Midrange) (58.5% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $136,739
  • Average Resale Value: $80,029

 

Major Kitchen Remodel (Midrange) (58.6% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $68,490
  • Average Resale Value: $40,127

 

Roofing Replacement (Metal) (61.2% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $40,318
  • Average Resale Value: $24,682

 

Bathroom Remodel (Universal Design) (62% ROI)

  • Average Cost: $34,643
  • Average Resale Value: $21,463

 

The 2020 Cost vs. Value Report compared the average costs for 22 popular remodeling projects and how much of that value they retained in 101 different U.S. housing markets. View the full report, including project descriptions and city-level data, here.

Meet with a realtor like Pete Veres, CRS – Certified Residential Specialist & ABR – Accredited Buyers and Seller Representative who can help you navigate thru the process and get the job done for you. He can provide you with a Free Market analysis when you are ready. Pete Veres has had over 25 years of Sales & Marketing experience, excellent negotiating skills and a superb track record.

You can contact him by calling or texting him at 505-362-2005 or by emailing him at [email protected].

He has a great website full of the latest information at www.NMElite.com

Here are also some Free Sellers resources. VIP-Seller-Resources