How a Renovation Can Increase a Property’s Value

May 26th 2026

In today’s real estate market, renovating a property is no longer just about aesthetics. A well-planned renovation can become one of the best investments for increasing a home’s value and enhancing its appeal for future sale or rental.

More and more buyers are looking for move-in ready homes, energy-efficient properties, and functional living spaces. As a result, making the right improvements can have a significant impact not only on the final sale price, but also on how quickly the property sells.

 

How Much Can a Property Increase in Value After a Renovation?

While it depends on factors such as location, the property’s initial condition, and the type of renovation carried out, industry studies suggest that a renovated home can increase its value by between 10% and 30%.

In high-demand real estate areas, a well-executed full renovation can even exceed these figures, especially when it improves key aspects such as:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Space layout and functionality
  • Natural light
  • Quality of finishes
  • Kitchens and bathrooms

In addition, a renovated property creates a stronger first impression on property portals and during viewings — something essential in an increasingly competitive market.

 

Renovations That Add the Most Value to a Home

1. Upgrading Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms remain the rooms that most influence purchasing decisions. Updating cabinetry, fittings, lighting, or wall and floor finishes creates a sense of quality, care, and modernity. A luxury renovation is not always necessary — a functional and visually appealing update can make a major difference.

2. Improving Energy Efficiency

Sustainability and energy savings are becoming increasingly important to buyers. Replacing windows, improving insulation, or installing efficient heating and cooling systems not only reduces energy consumption, but also enhances the property’s appeal and improves its energy rating.

Today, many property searches already include filters related to energy efficiency.

3. Creating Open and Bright Spaces

Homes that feel spacious and filled with natural light are often perceived as more modern and premium. Removing visual barriers, integrating the kitchen and living room, or maximising natural light can completely transform the perception of a property.

4. Updating Flooring, Paint, and Lighting

Sometimes, small improvements can deliver outstanding results. Neutral paint colours, warm lighting, and new flooring can refresh a property’s appearance with a relatively moderate investment.

 

Renovating to Sell Better: A Smart Real Estate Strategy

Many homeowners wonder whether it is worth investing in renovations before putting a property on the market. However, experience shows that a strategic renovation can make a substantial difference in the sales process. An updated property tends to generate more interest from the outset, reduces room for negotiation, and stands out from similar homes in the area.

Moreover, when improvements are carefully targeted, the perceived value of the property increases considerably, which can lead to a faster and more profitable sale. A full renovation is not always necessary — in many cases, small aesthetic or functional upgrades are enough to completely transform a property’s image.

 

What Are Buyers Looking for Today?

Buyer priorities have evolved significantly in recent years. There is now a clear preference for efficient, bright, move-in ready homes. Multifunctional spaces, contemporary design, and durable, low-maintenance materials are especially valued.

Energy certification has also become increasingly important, both from a sustainability and cost-saving perspective. In this context, adapting a property to new market demands not only improves its attractiveness, but can also become a decisive factor in increasing its value and accelerating the sale process.

 

Conclusion

Renovating a property is about far more than updating its appearance — it is a way of adapting the home to the evolving demands of today’s real estate market. Buyers increasingly value functional, energy-efficient, move-in ready properties, meaning that a well-planned renovation can directly influence both the property’s market value and its ability to attract interest.

Whether through a full renovation or smaller strategic improvements, investing in upgrading a property can become a key decision for increasing its value and improving its position in the market. In an increasingly competitive environment, renovated and well-presented homes are the ones that create the strongest perception of quality and stand out from similar alternatives.

 

Find your home abroad with the support of the Coldwell Banker® network

Visit our global websites to learn more about your ideal property in the most exclusive destinations

We use our own and third-party cookies to make our website work safely and personalize its content. Likewise, we use cookies to measure and obtain data on your navigation and to adjust advertising to your tastes and preferences. Press the "Accept all" button to confirm that you have read and accepted the information presented. To manage or disable these cookies, click on "Configuration". For more information see our cookies policy.
Modify cookies
Technical and functional Always active
This website uses its own Cookies to collect information in order to improve our services. If you continue browsing, you accept their installation. The user has the possibility of configuring his browser, being able, if he so wishes, to prevent them from being installed on his hard drive, although he must bear in mind that such action may cause difficulties in navigating the website.
They allow the monitoring and analysis of the behavior of the users of this website. The information collected through this type of cookies is used to measure the activity of the web for the elaboration of user navigation profiles in order to introduce improvements based on the analysis of the usage data made by the users of the service. They allow us to save the user's preference information to improve the quality of our services and to offer a better experience through recommended products.
These cookies are used to store information about the preferences and personal choices of the user through the continuous observation of their browsing habits. Thanks to them, we can know the browsing habits on the website and display advertising related to the user's browsing profile.