When you’re getting ready to sell your piece of Amelia Island real estate (or know that this day is coming sooner rather than later), then you’ll want to spend your dollars strategically to get the most out of your investment. When you look at the Journal of Light Construction’s (JLC) most recently published report and their five upgrades that will typically garner the most cash when selling your home, curb appeal is the key towards attracting potential buyers. When you increase the attractiveness of your home in ways that also offer other benefits, your investment can clearly pay back when you sell your home. 

#1 ROI:

You can benefit from a whopping 193.9 percent ROI when you replace your garage door. In the previous JLC report, the ROI on that upgrade clocked in at 102.7; that’s still a great ROI but, now, you’ve got the opportunity to really cash in on your investment. 

The average garage door replacement cost, nationally, is listed as $4,513 while adding $8,751 to your home’s value. When looking at JLC’s Jacksonville area data, a garage door replacement serves as the second largest opportunity for ROI: with the average cost being $5,020 and average value added amount being $9,097, this equals an ROI of 181.2 percent.

So, why does this investment add so much value to the home? First, it adds to the curb appeal of your home and enhances a potential buyer’s first impression of your home. New garage doors are often more energy efficient, which means potentially lower energy costs, and they add another layer of security for the home. That’s a win/win/win.

#2 ROI:

Next up, nationally speaking: a steel entry door replacement with its 188.1 percent ROI derived from an average cost of $2,355 and average value add of $4,430. Looking just at Jacksonville data, this is number one, ROI-wise: at a cost of $2,313 and value add of $4,470, homeowners can enjoy an ROI of 193.3 percent. 

Reasons why are similar to the garage door replacement. Steel entry doors can add significant security and energy efficiency in durable ways. They typically don’t require much maintenance while adding to a home’s curb appeal. These doors come in a wide range of colors and designs, offering plenty of options to match your taste and home aesthetics. 

#3 ROI:

The answer is the same nationally and in the Jacksonville area: manufactured stone veneer. Faux stone is durable while being less costly to install than natural stone and can come with a big payoff:

• Nationally: Cost of $11,287 and value add of $17,291 = ROI of 153.2 percent

• Jacksonville: Cost of $10,396 and value add of $13,726 = ROI of 132 percent

Manufactured stone requires less invasive sourcing methods than many other exteriors, light and easy to maneuver when installing. This means that designers can create a wide range of aesthetics, giving you many styles to select from, including one that’s just right for your home’s style. 

#4 ROI:

The listing is the same for national markets as Jacksonville: a grand entrance made from fiberglass. As soon as a potential buyer enters your home, they can take in the beauty of how you’ve used this material for this purpose. First impressions can make a big difference in a buyer’s willingness to make an offer—and in the amount of their offer. If your entryway is meticulously cared for, they will begin to form the impression that your entire interior is as well.

ROI specifics are as follows:

• Nationally: Cost of $11,353 and value add of $11,054 = ROI of 97.4 percent

• Jacksonville: Cost of $10,891 and value add of $10,933 = ROI of 100.4 percent

#5 ROI:

The national listing for number five is the only one that isn’t directly related to curb appeal. The fifth item mentioned in Jacksonville’s list, though, returns to the curb appeal pattern. 

Nationally, a mid-range minor kitchen remodel is next on the list. An investment of $27,492 can reap $26,406 in rewards, equalling an ROI of 96.1 percent. According to Elle Decor, a butler pantry (also called a scullery kitchen) is in demand when redoing your kitchen. This allows families to cook in a designated space while keeping the main kitchen—the heart of the home— clean and organized. Other kitchen remodel trends include fabric fixtures and artistic backsplashes—and of being willing to maintain a convenient, welcoming atmosphere through “Elements like hanging pots, stacked mugs, and exposed plate racks.” (And even glass door refrigerators!)

In Jacksonville’s list, curb appeal returns to the forefront with fiber-cement siding. Investing $17,628 can garner $14,489 when selling your home: an ROI of 84.2 percent. Besides being durable with resistance to weather, fire, and wear and tear, this type of siding offers a range of aesthetics with styles that can be mixed and matched for a unique appearance. 

Amelia Island Real Estate

Although no two situations are ever exactly the same, if you’re looking to put your piece of Amelia Island real estate on the market, this can give you a good sense of where investing your dollars into your home, pre-sale, can bring you the greatest return. 

Our knowledgeable real estate team is highly experienced in listing million dollar homes for sale (and multi-million dollar homes for sale), sharing the highlights of the Amelia Island luxury homes that we list to help sellers get optimal dollars. When you list your home with us, we’ll spotlight any and all of your high-dollar ROI investments into the property to help your home stand out, valuewise, from other Amelia Island homes for sale on the market.

Connect with us for concierge service! We recognize the uniqueness of each of the million dollar homes for sale on Amelia Island and will focus on matching you with your optimal buyer.