Want to sell your home for more than it’s worth on paper?
Homeowners spend extra money on granite countertops and luxury bathroom remodels. But here’s the secret… house improvements that significantly increase property value aren’t usually the ones you see in home magazines.
In fact, statistics prove it.
Zonda’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report shows exterior home improvement projects provided more value at resale time than large-scale interior remodels. Garage door replacements, entry doors and stone veneer all earned more than double their cost.
The moral of this story? Hidden improvements aren’t secret at all. They’re right out in the open — usually in your front yard.
Lessons you’ll learn:
- Why Exterior Improvements Are Better Than Interior Renovations
- Why Installing A Driveway Gate Boosts Property Value
- 4 Cheap Exterior Home Improvements That Increase Property Value
- Tips for Choosing Which Improvements To Prioritise
Why Exterior Improvements Are Better Than Interior Renovations
Hold onto your seats, this will blow your mind…
Homeowners will spend tens of thousands on kitchen and bathroom remodels that offer very little return when it’s time to sell. A major upscale kitchen remodel returned roughly 38% of costs. Install an exterior steel entry door and you can recoup more than 100%.
Why? Simple. People make judgements about a property within the first few seconds of seeing it. Well-manicured lawns, fresh paint and attractive entryways tell buyers a home was cared for before they step inside
Researchers at The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics discovered curb appeal alone increased property value by at least 7%. How’s that for an easy DIY home improvement?
Bottom line?
Spend money where people will see it. Landscaping, driveways, fencing, driveway gates and exterior cladding all play into the home’s curb appeal. And bonus… most curb appeal improvements won’t set you back thousands of dollars like kitchen renovations.
Why Installing A Driveway Gate Boosts Property Value
If you want to increase property value with hidden improvements, take a look at your driveway.
Driveway gates are one of the biggest value additions home buyers don’t see on a daily basis. Whether it’s a manual swinging gate or high-end automated system, a nice driveway gate can enhance security, privacy and kerb appeal.
The easiest (and least expensive) type of driveway gate is a manual swinging gate. No electrical work or motorized gate operators means labour costs are lower. Don’t worry, a quality gate installed by a driveway gate specialist can still look expensive.
Driveway gates matter because of three key factors:
- Security: The main reason buyers install driveway gates is for added security. A gated driveway prevents unwanted traffic from entering your property. Security is one of the top things homeowners look for in a new property.
- Privacy: Some driveway gates are installed to limit access to the property. If your home is next to a public park or walking trail, buyers will pay more for some privacy.
- Kerb appeal: Nothing pops like a nice driveway gate. A custom gate creates an impressive entrance that’ll make your home stand out from the neighbours.
Imagine driving up to a gorgeous home with an elaborate driveway gate. Suddenly, your potential new house doesn’t feel like a cookie cutter build anymore. It feels high-end.
The type of gate you choose will depend on your home. But, as long as it matches the exterior look you’re going for, any gate is better than no gate.
4 Cheap Exterior Home Improvements That Increase Property Value
Take a look outside your front door. These aren’t renovations you’ll see nightly on hardware store television ads but they’ll still add value to your home.
Replace The Entry Door
One of the highest ROI investments you can make? Installing a steel or composite front door. Entry door replacements are affordable, easy to install and make a huge difference to the front of your home.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting serves two purposes. It looks great but can also provide added security. Path lights, decorative pond lights and well-placed porch lights help your property feel inviting while providing light at night.
Improve Your Landscaping
You can greatly increase your property value by investing in your yard. Fresh mulch, trimmed bushes, seasonal flowers and a manicured lawn will make your property pop.
Resurface Your Driveway
Driveway gates were mentioned above but another entryway improvement homeowners often forget about is the driveway itself. Resurface a stained or cracked driveway for a fresh look that improves curb appeal.
All of these improvements score high when it comes to ROI because they target the most important factor of selling a home; curb appeal.
It’s not glamorous or popular on DIY television… but they work.
Tips For Choosing Which Improvements To Prioritize
Your property will need different improvements compared to your neighbour. The best way to improve your home is to audit your exterior and common areas.
Audit your home like a prospective buyer would.
- Start at the kerb and honestly assess your home. What jumps out at you? What could use some sprucing up? Make a list and fix what needs improving.
- Take a drive through your neighbourhood. How do your common areas compare to other homes? Are the majority of your neighbours rocking driveway gates and updated landscaping? If so, your home might stand out for all the wrong reasons.
- Focus on high ROI projects. Replacements (screens, doors, roofs) and curb appeal improvements always beat big kitchens when it comes to resale.
- Don’t over-improve. You don’t want to spend more than 30% of your homes value on renovations. Choose your battles and invest in improvements that provide the biggest bang for your buck.
Don’t forget about maintenance.
You could install the nicest gate on the block but if it’s rusting, home buyers will knock your value down. Maintain your improvements just as much as you would like someone else to maintain them if you buy a new home.
Bonus Points If You Installed It Yourself
Another often overlooked factor of home improvements is DIY labour.
Hiring a contractor to renovate your home increases your cost by approximately 30%. When you DIY those projects, that money you’d be spending on labour instantly gets pumped back into your home improvement budget.
There’s a lot of debate over whether you should DIY renovations. Some contractors even recommend certain projects only be performed by a qualified tradesperson.
If you’re able to renovate your home and you have the time, DIY saves you money and can increase your property value just as much as hiring a pro.
Bringing it Home…
You wanted to know which home improvements add the most value? They’re not hiding under your kitchen floor or tucked away in your guest bedroom closet. External improvements add more value to your home than expensive kitchen remodels and bathroom renovations.
Remember:
- Focus on curb appeal and things people see when they first drive up.
- Improve your property based on your home and surrounding neighbourhood.
- Invest in projects that will net you a high return when it’s time to sell.
- Maintain what you build. Don’t trash the place after spending months renovating.
Home improvements don’t need to be fancy or expensive. They just need to be done.
