As mortgage rates rise, experts say some home renovations offer better returns than others
With mortgage rates climbing again, more homeowners are choosing to renovate rather than move — but rising material costs and tariffs mean not every upgrade pays off. According to the Journal of Light Construction, projects with the strongest return on investment include replacing a garage door, updating a front entry and adding a backup generator. Experts say smaller kitchen remodels tend to recoup most of their cost, while mid‑range and high‑end renovations return far less. For homes with only one bathroom, adding another may deliver a better payoff than an expensive overhaul.