Upgrades to Improve Home Value in Florida

Jul 16, 2025

upgrades to improve home value in florida

Best Upgrades to Improve Home Value in Florida

With today’s changing real estate market, making your home more appealing can increase overall value and amount of equity in your home.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly for homes. Every home has its own unique characteristics and appeal, both inside and out, and making the right upgrades can not only increase value but yield higher return if you decide to sell.

But where to start? Which renovations and upgrades should you focus on first, and how much will it cost you? There are many factors to consider, that’s why Showcase Properties is here to help guide you through which upgrades yield highest return in Florida.

Understanding Equity and Return on Investment (ROI)

Before we get into the details, let’s talk about home equity. While most people understand the basic principles, there are factors that can affect how much your home is worth and what your return on investment is if you decide to sell. Here are the basics for calculating equity:
    • Current Market Value – what your home could list for in a current market
    • Outstanding Loan Balance – how much you still owe on your home loan
    • Equity – current value minus outstanding loan balance gives you how much you could receive at sale
Knowing the amount of equity in your home is important when considering home improvements as many people use a HELOC or Home Equity Loan to finance projects.

As for ROI, the easiest way to calculate it is the total cost of project to how much additional value it adds to your home. For example, you spend $10,000 remodeling your kitchen and it adds $20,000 to your home value, your ROI is 100%.

Prioritizing Projects

When considering which projects to tackle first, here are some tips to consider:
    • Address any safety concerns – this can be a leaky roof, electrical issues, or similar problem
    • Assess your home’s condition – consider hiring a home inspector to ensure there are no structural issues with your home that might not be obvious
    • Prioritize by room/area – think about which rooms or outdoor areas might need to be upgraded first due to outdated appliances and fixtures or curb appeal
    • Make a budget – knowing how much you can afford on upgrades can help you prioritize and identify gaps
Once you take these first two steps into consideration, you’ll have a clearer picture of which upgrades are a priority versus a more cosmetic improvement.
even minor kitchen upgrades can boost value

Top Home Improvements to Boose Value in Florida

Kitchen Renovations

Often considered the heart of a home, a well-appointed and modern kitchen can add great value to your home equity. Even a small update of just appliances can increase value by up to 85%, however you want to consider a few things before diving in:

    • A complete remodel of a kitchen (countertops, appliances, floors, sink, etc.) can run up to $77,000 resulting in lower ROI. If you replaced or upgraded anything in the kitchen within the last 5 or 8 years, you might want to focus on items that truly need attention.
    • Consider options like replacing cabinet doors rather than a full replacement or resurfacing countertops. These are lower cost options that can improve the look of your kitchen without major investment.

However you decide to upgrade your kitchen, just remember a little can go a long way especially if you are doing multiple projects.

Bathroom Updates

The second most popular upgrade is to bathrooms. An aesthetically pleasing and functional bathroom can be beneficial if you consider selling, but also makes you feel good when you step into that new shower or tub.

Bathroom updates can range from $24,000 for mid-refresh to $77,000 for a complete overhaul, with an average ROI of 30% – 60% depending on cost. Before you start browsing for the latest bathroom fixtures and features, think about the following:

    • How many bathrooms does your home have, and which is the most used?
    • Would a new shower, tub or toilet require updates to plumbing or electric?
    • Could refinishing a tub or shower using a service like Bath Fitter that improves look be an option rather than a full replacement?

 

Taking a moment to ponder these considerations can help steer you in the right direction and even deprioritize smaller bathrooms if you decide to focus on just the master bathroom.

energy-efficient options can yield close to a 100% ROI

Energy-Efficient Upgrades

The cost of heating and especially cooling a home in Florida can be very high, especially if you have older HVAC systems. In addition, drafty windows and doors can increase energy costs because hot or cold air can escape making your HVAC work overtime. Making improvements or replacing windows, doors, and HVAC systems to energy-efficient options can yield close to a 100% ROI, making this a potential priority.

The average HVAC upgrade cost can vary between $5,000 – $12,000, and window and door replacements range from $3,000 – $15,000. When considering these updates, think about the following:

    • How old are my HVAC, windows, and doors? Would simple sealants and upgrading to a smart thermostat be enough?
    • Are there any tax credits for certain types of new HVAC systems I can take advantage of?
    • Can cleaning my ducts first help improve my HVAC system rather than a full replacement?

Showcase Properties has a great blog about the various tax incentives and rebates available in Florida to help maximize your ROI on energy efficient upgrades that add value to your home.

with outdoor living being popular in Florida, making your home look great on the outside can lead to a potential 100% ROI

Outdoor and Landscape Enhancement

It’s all about the curb appeal with homes. And with outdoor living being popular in Florida, making your home look great on the outside can lead to a potential 100% ROI. And when we say outdoor improvements, it can be anything from new siding, garage door, or paint, which compliments landscape enhancements.

While costs and ROI can vary depending on how much you invest, in the end if you plan smart you could potentially see up to 100% ROI. Take a look at our Backyard Brainstorm blog for ideas and suggestions for the most popular landscape ideas in Florida.

Expanding Livable Space

The total square footage of a home doesn’t equate to actual living space. Areas like a basement, attic, or unused room can be unexpected areas for upgrades that can expand living space.

    • Finished basement – turning your basement into a den or TV room with a bathroom can offer an 86% ROI
    • Converted attic – with the right remodeling, turn your attic into a home gym or spare bedroom with a 70% average ROI
    • Dedicated home office – with more people working from home, a dedicated office space with ample outlets for devices, shelves for storage, even placement of desk and lighting fixtures can increase appeal for buyers and provide a potential 50% ROI

As with many of the upgrades we shared, costs will vary depending on how much work is needed to expand living spaces. Always do your research, consult with design experts, and consider where these projects fall within prioritization before starting.

Work with an Experienced Central Florida Realtor to Sell Your Home Faster

At Showcase Properties, we’re more than just your real estate team—we’re your partner in maximizing your home’s value. From strategic upgrades to expert staging, we know what it takes to make your listing stand out in the Florida market. For over 20 years, we’ve helped homeowners across Central Florida turn renovations into results. When you’re ready to begin the home selling process or need advice, contact us to learn how we can help. Be sure to check out our blog for more great articles on Florida homebuying and selling.