NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Return on Investment
Experts Predict These 5 Home Improvements Will Have the Highest ROI in 2025 (Bob Vila, Jan. 24, 2025)
High-ROI renovations anticipated for 2025:
- Kitchen remodel
- Bathroom renovation
- Outdoor living space enhancements
- Smart-home features
- Energy efficiency upgrades
7 Affordable DIY Home Projects to Increase a Home’s Value (MarketWatch, Aug. 29, 2024)
Do it yourself projects like deep cleaning flooring, a fresh coat of paint, new tile or backsplash in the kitchen, upgraded outlets and fixtures, lawncare, and smart home tech can offer great ROI.
Cost vs Value 2024: Curb Appeal Projects Bring Highest ROIs (Fixr, May 23, 2024)
“Of the 23 projects analyzed for this year's Cost vs. Value report, only one stayed relatively the same. The cost to replace fiber cement siding fluctuated by a mere 0.1% lower than in 2023. Five other projects also bring a negative ROI–vinyl siding replacement, vinyl window replacement, HVAC conversion/electrification, asphalt shingle roof replacement, and metal roof replacement. This doesn’t come as much of a shock, however. They are expensive projects which makes it more difficult to recuperate the costs. However, 17 of the 23 projects showed an improved ROI for 2024. Here are the highlights.”
Can’t Relocate? Try These 4 Value-Adding Renovations Instead (Nerdwallet, Mar. 4, 2024)
- Kitchen renovation
- Bathroom remodel
- Basement finishing
- Exterior doors and windows
Cost vs. Value (Journal of Light Construction, 2024)
This site compares average costs for 22 remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 150 U.S. markets.
2022 Remodeling Impact Report (National Association of REALTORS®, Apr. 2022)
Home Improvement Tips
BBB Tip: Home Improvement Scams (Better Business Bureau®, Feb. 12, 2025)
Watch out for red flags, ask for references and check them out, and know the law before you hire a contractor.
17 of the Best Free Home & Interior Design Apps (House Beautiful, Oct. 8, 2024)
“'Using a room planner or design app is the most accurate way of fleshing out your ideas visually,' says Cory Powell from DBS Bathrooms. It gives you the confidence and time to design your own space, play around with the layout and colour schemes, visualise what your home will look like after renovating it, or just connect with professionals.”
Smart Budgeting Tips: Prioritizing Your Home Improvement Project (Henderson Properties, Apr. 2023)
- Establish your priorities
- Research the costs
- Secure financing
- Set your timeline and budget
- Find contractors or plan to DIY
- Handle setbacks
Got Half-Done Home Improvement Projects? Here’s Why and How to Finally Finish the Job (realtor.com®, Mar. 20, 2022)
How to evaluate potential projects and plan ahead of time to get them completed.
Remodeling Statistics and Trends
Homeowner Improvement Expenditures by Project Type (Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, Mar. 20, 2025)
“Home improvement and repair spending vaulted from $404 billion in 2019 to $611 billion in 2022, and is expected to remain above $600 billion through 2025. Homeowners remain focused on replacement projects such as roofing, windows, and HVAC, accounting for 49 percent of improvement expenditures in 2023. On average, homeowners spent almost $4,700 on improvements in 2023, nearly 9 percent above the previous market boom in 2007. [from press release]
Home Improvement Industry Trends 2024 (Consumer Affairs, Mar. 28, 2024)
"Despite the uptick in spending and remodeling work, renovations and repairs remain costly for many homeowners. A 2022 ConsumerAffairs survey of 1,078 homeowners found that 92% had outstanding repairs on their to-do list, and 86% said they were waiting on repairs for financial reasons.
"Current indicators also point to a slowdown in the growth of the national home improvement and repair industry. Spending on residential improvements and repairs is forecast to shrink in 2024 for the first time since 2010, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity."
2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends (Houzz Research, Mar. 27, 2024)
“Renovation spend has surged in the past three years, with the median spend* increasing by 60% between 2020 ($15,000) and 2023 ($24,000). The top 90th percentile of spend rose as well, increasing by 77% between 2020 ($85,000) and 2023 ($150,000). In addition, more than half of renovating homeowners (51%) spent $25,000 or more on their renovations in 2023, up from 37% in 2020.”
Home Renovation Facts and Statistics (2024) (Architectural Digest, Aug. 7, 2023)
“According to the Joint Center for Housing Centers of Harvard University (JCHS), home improvement project spending increased from $328 billion in 2019 to $472 billion in 2022, with an estimated 2024 spending of $485 billion. This article will explore the latest industry reports and findings on how home renovation has evolved, statistics for the most popular projects, and the future of residential investments.”
Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) (Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University)
“The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) provides a short-term outlook of national home improvement and repair spending to owner-occupied homes. The indicator, measured as an annual rate-of-change of its components, is designed to project the annual rate of change in spending for the current quarter and subsequent four quarters, and is intended to help identify future turning points in the business cycle of the home improvement and repair industry. Produced quarterly since 2007, the LIRA is released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Center in the third week after each quarter's closing.”
NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) (National Association of REALTORS® of Home Builders, Apr. 11, 2024)
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) is based on a quarterly survey of NAHB remodeler members that provides insight on current market conditions as well as future indicators for the remodeling market.
Remodeling Web Sites
Better Homes and Gardens
One of the premier home and family sites on the web which includes a page dedicated to decorating tips and more.
DIY Network
The source for the best do-it-yourself tips for home renovations.
Joint Center for Housing Studies
JCHS website has information and research on housing market, demographic, and social trends.
realtor.com®
realtor.com® has information on technology, tips, safety and remodeling tools.
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Consumers can find remodeling tips, how to find a qualified contractor, frequently asked questions, and much more.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Bathroom Remodeling For Dummies (eBook)
Be a Successful Remodeling Contractor (eBook)
The Complete Book of Home Inspection (eBook)
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Building and Remodeling (eBook)
Green Remodeling (eBook)
How to Increase the Value of your Home (eBook)
Remodeled Homes (eBook)
Trips & Traps When Renovating Your Home (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
No Regrets Remodeling: How to Create a Comfortable, Healthy Home That Saves Energy (Berkeley, CA: Energy Auditor & Retrofitter, Inc., 2013) TJ163.5.D86 N6
Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live (Taunton Press, 2009) TH 4816 Su8
Renovate to Riches (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2004) HF 5438 D88
Improve the Value of Your Home up to $100,000 (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2003) TH 3401 Ir9i
Remodeling Your Home: An Insider's Guide (Washington, DC: Home Builder Press, 1996) TH 4816 N21r
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The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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