Thinking About Home Projects? Read This Before You Renovate Your Fayetteville Home

Thinking About Home Projects? Read This Before You Renovate 

Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s always smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, money, and energy matter—and not all upgrades offer the return you might expect.

As U.S. News Real Estate puts it:

“Not every home renovation project will increase the resale value of a home.”

That’s why your first step should be talking to a local REALTOR® (hi, that’s me 👋).

Plan Now, Stress Less Later

Even if you’re not planning to sell anytime soon, life changes fast—new jobs, growing families, or just shifting priorities can suddenly put moving on the table. The last thing you want is to rush through repairs or renovations when you’re under pressure.

Planning ahead gives you time to make smart updates at your own pace. You get to enjoy the upgrades while you live there—and your house will be ready to impress when it’s time to list.

What Projects Are Actually Worth It?

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, some updates typically offer a better return on investment than others—think refinishing hardwood floors, energy-efficient improvements, or kitchen updates.

But don’t just go by the national averages.

What adds value in Fayetteville or Hope Mills may not match what’s trending elsewhere. That’s where I come in. As a local REALTOR®, I can help you decide:

• Which updates make sense for your home and area

• What buyers are actually looking for right now

• How to get the most bang for your buck

And remember—too many high-end upgrades can price you out of your neighborhood. Smart improvements = happy buyers and better profit.

If you’re not sure which projects are worth your time and money – here's some information that can help. A study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows which upgrades typically offer the best return on your investment (ROI) (see graph below):

If an update you're already thinking about overlaps with those high-ROI upgrades, great. Odds are it'll improve your quality of life now and your home’s value later.

But don’t take this list as law. This is based on national data and is the sort of thing that's going to vary based on what’s most sought-after where you live. That’s where your agent comes in. As an article from Ramsey Solutions says:

“The best way to gauge what you can expect in terms of resale value on home improvements—especially if you’re planning to sell soon—is to talk to a real estate agent who is an expert in your market. They’re sure to know the local trends, and they can show you how other homes with the features you want to add are selling. That way, you can make an educated decision before you start ordering lumber and knocking down walls.”

Bottom Line:
Even if moving isn’t on your radar yet, making the right updates now can help you love your home and get more when the time comes to sell.

Not sure where to start? Let’s talk about it. I’d be happy to walk through your home and help you decide what’s worth it—and what’s not.

📲 Call or text me anytime: 910-987-2573
📧 TheRealLaurenSmithNC@gmail.com

The Real Estate Boutique | Real broker, LLC