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What Renovations with the Highest ROI in Scotts Valley, CA?
This article about renovations with the highest ROI can help you figure out which projects will increase its market value!

You may have heard of Scotts Valley, a bedroom community for Silicon Valley in Santa Cruz County, California. Santa Cruz is famous for its stunning views of the coast, busy neighborhood, and in-demand real estate market. People in Scotts Valley and the Santa Cruz area can get a lot more for their money if they update their homes. But keep in mind that not all changes have the same ROI. This article about renovations with the highest ROI can help you figure out which projects will make your home look better and increase its market value.
Kitchen Remodeling
Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, having a nice one can help you sell it. You can make a lot of money when you change your kitchen in Santa Cruz. It's all about style and living a good life. Check out these:
- You can make your home look better and sell it for more money by getting new, high-quality cabinets and intelligent ways to store things.
- If you want to improve the look of your kitchen, you can put in countertops made of granite, marble, or other strong and beautiful materials.
- Home appliances: Stainless steel appliances that use less energy look good and are great for people who care about the environment.
- Adding modern lights like under-cabinet, pendant, and more can make the space feel nicer and warmer.
Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report says that in the Pacific region, which includes Santa Cruz, a small kitchen remodel can earn back about 77.6% of its costs. This makes it one of the most profitable home improvement jobs.
Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Bathroom Upgrades
Furniture: Getting new, high-quality closets and smart storage solutions can make your home look better and increase its value.
- Adding countertops to your kitchen can really improve its appearance. Choose something that will last and look good, like rock, marble, or something else.
- Many people who care about the environment want to buy tools made of stainless steel because they look good and use less power.
- Modern lights, like hanging, under-cabinet, and more, can make a space feel friendlier and cozier.
A study by Remodeling Magazine, Cost vs. Value, says that in the Pacific region, which includes Santa Cruz, a small kitchen update can return 77.6% of its value. Because of this, it's one of the best home repair jobs.
Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Exterior Improvements
Due to the high demand for homes in Santa Cruz, it is very important to have a nice front yard. You might want to change the outside of your house to get more people to buy it. These projects are very important:
- You can change out old flooring for new vinyl or fiber-cement siding. This could change how the house looks and how much energy it uses.
- When you buy a house, a new roof makes it look better and makes buyers feel safer.
- Adding native plants, hardscaping, and outdoor lights by a skilled gardener can turn your yard into a peaceful haven.
- You can get more than 90% of the money you spent on a new, nice garage door back when you sell your house.
If you make changes to the outside of your house, it will look better and be worth more. Since they are so cheap, they are one of the best ways to make changes.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Being kind to and caring for the land is essential to many people in Santa Cruz. People who care about the environment and want lower power bills will be interested in less energy upgrades.
- Doors and Windows: New doors and windows that use less energy can make your house warmer and look better.
- The house will be warmer and cost less to run if the roof, walls, and floors are better insulated.
- PV Panels: Because Santa Cruz is usually sunny, building PV panels can be a great way to sell a home there. To begin with, it costs a lot. But it can help you save money on energy costs and raise the value of your home.
- That Uses Less Energy: Getting a new HVAC system that uses less energy can save money and make your home more comfortable.
Most changes that reduce energy use give an excellent return on investment (ROI). Some projects can even earn back at least 70% of their cost.
Adding Living Space
Prices in Santa Cruz are high, and homes only have a little room. Adding living space can make a big difference. To reach this result, several things can be done:
- Adding a bedroom, bathroom, or porch can increase your home's worth.
- Making changes to the basement: If you don't use your basement, you can make it more useful by turning it into a family room, guest bedroom, or home office.
- In Scotts Valley, where homes are in high demand, having an ADU means renting out your extra space and making extra money. It can also raise the value of your house.
Adding to your sitting room generally costs a lot of money. With so much going on in Scotts Valley, having an extra room can come in handy.
Deck and Patio Additions
People in Scotts Valley want outdoor living spaces because the weather and the scenery are excellent. Putting in a deck or patio can give you a great return on your money. Take a look at these:
- Materials: If you use solid and weather-resistant materials like composite decking, your deck will last a long time and not need much care.
- Adding built-in seats, pergolas, or outdoor kitchens to an area can make it more useful and attractive.
- Adding to the landscaping: By planning your deck or patio to complement your landscaping, you can make your outdoor living space look more complete.
Remodeling Magazine says you can get back about 72% of the cost of a wooden deck. This makes it a good investment that will improve your life and raise your house's value.
Interior Paint and Flooring
Sometimes, even the simplest changes can make a big difference. Fresh paint on the inside and new flooring are two relatively cheap jobs that can make a big difference in how your home looks. Key things to think about are:
- Paint: Choosing neutral, modern colors can make a room feel bigger and more welcoming to a wide range of buyers.
- Flooring: Putting in hardwood, concrete, or tile floors instead of old carpet or flooring can make the house look better and last longer.
Many times, these simple improvements give a big return on investment (ROI) because they make the house feel new and well-kept without costing a lot of money.
Smart Home Technology
In Santa Cruz, where tech-savvy buyers like new features, adding smart home technology can help you sell your home quickly. You might want to add:
- With a smart thermostat, you can change the temperature in your home from away and save energy simultaneously.
- Security Systems: Smart security systems can make a home safer and more appealing by using cameras and alarms.
- Intelligent lighting systems let you pick the lights that work best for you and use the least power.
- Home Automation: Installing a system that controls the TV, lights, air conditioning, and security can raise the value of your home significantly.
More and more people want smart home features that can make their homes look modern and unique.
Conclusion
In a market as desirable as Santa Cruz County, improving your home is an intelligent way to make it look better and raise its value. Focusing on renovations with the highest ROI will help you get the most out of your home improvements. Some of these are redoing the kitchen and bathrooms, making changes to the outside, making the house more energy-efficient, adding living space, painting and laying new floors inside, and putting in smart home technology. When you update, you should carefully plan and consider how your area's market is changing.
Paul Burrowes, CRS, CCEC, SFR, NHCP, LHC, REALTOR® Licensed REALTOR® with over 15 years of experience and expertise. Commits to being on time and transparent. Acts as your consultant to ensure you make the best decisions to fit your transaction at every step in the process. Negotiates towards a low stress, win-win outcome. Handles all the details for you, ensuring the hundreds of steps in your real estate transaction go smoothly. Proudly serving Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties! | DRE# 01955563 | (831) 295-5130 | paul@burrowes.com | About Santa Cruz and Northern California Real Estate