5 Home Improvements That Pay Off — And A Smarter Way To Cover The Costs

A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and the right updates can pay off both now and when it’s time to sell. If you’ve built up equity, Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan offers a flexible way to cover renovation costs without the strain of a traditional second mortgage.

Below, check out five home improvement projects that potentially boost your home’s value — without breaking the bank.

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1. Fresh Paint For A Fresh Look

A fresh coat of paint — even in neutral tones — does more than tidy up your walls; it's been shown to make homes feel well-kept and inviting to buyers. According to Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton, a new coat “can deliver a powerful signal…that a home is well‑maintained and contemporary.” Plus, Zillow reports that 32% of sellers in 2024 painted their interior before listing — a sign of how common and effective this simple update can be.

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2. Replace Your Garage Or Front Door

According to Angi, a trusted online marketplace that connects homeowners with vetted service pros, exterior projects consistently deliver the strongest return on investment. At the top of the list? Garage door replacement, which can return an average of 194% of its cost — meaning you could nearly double what you put in when it comes time to sell. A new steel entry door is another smart move, offering about a 188% ROI. Both upgrades instantly boost curb appeal while signaling to buyers that a home is well maintained.

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3. Refresh The Kitchen—Without A Full Remodel

If you want a new look without the cost of a full remodel, smaller upgrades can still pack a punch. According to HomeLight, a real estate platform that connects homeowners with top-performing agents and tracks market data, a minor kitchen update may return around 60% of its cost at resale. That includes projects like replacing countertops, refacing cabinets, updating hardware or adding energy-efficient appliances. These mid-range improvements give your kitchen a modern feel without the major expense of starting from scratch.

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4. Improve Energy Efficiency

Adding energy-efficient windows or insulation doesn’t just cut utility bills — it also boosts home value. The National Association of Realtors found that new windows typically recoup about 68% of their cost, while insulation upgrades can save homeowners 11% on total energy costs each year.

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5. Step Up Your Curb Appeal

Boosting your home's exterior doesn’t have to be difficult — or costly. According to Architectural Digest, targeted DIY improvements such as fresh landscaping, clean trim or updated front-door visuals can make your property feel more appealing — and often yield 5.5% to 12.7% more perceived value, depending on execution and home size. That means on a $300,000 home, these upgrades could add an estimated $16,500 to $38,100 in perceived value, all for a relatively small upfront investment.

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A Smarter Way To Fund Home Improvements

Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan is a flexible alternative to traditional second mortgages. Available to homeowners with at least a 680 FICO® score and 30% equity, it offers up to $400,000 in funding with interest-only monthly payments — helping you unlock your home’s value and fund those home improvement projects without adding heavy monthly costs.

Here’s how it works:

• You receive a lump sum of cash.
• You make interest-only payments during the 10-year loan term.
• There are no prepayment penalties.
• You repay the original amount plus a share of your home’s appreciation when you sell or when the term ends — whichever comes first.

Unlike conventional loans, there’s no need to make principal payments every month, freeing up more room in your budget. And because you only share in your home’s gains, not its losses, you benefit from more predictable risk.

And if you’re using your loan for renovations, Unison also offers a unique Capital Improvement Adjustment. This feature ensures that eligible upgrades — such as a remodeled kitchen, finished basement or new energy-efficient windows — are credited back to you. After the first three years of your loan, if you’ve used licensed contractors and documented the work, an independent appraiser determines how much value those improvements added. That increase is then excluded from Unison’s shared appreciation calculation, so you keep the full benefit of the equity your upgrades created.

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Ready to refresh your home without stretching your budget? Learn how Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan can help fund your next project and get a personalized estimate today.

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Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Unison and provides general consumer information only. It is not financial, legal, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions about home equity products. Borrowing against home equity involves risks, including increased debt, potential loss of equity if property values decline, and foreclosure if payments are not made. Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan requires a minimum FICO score of 680, at least 30% home equity, and other eligibility criteria; repayment includes the original amount, deferred interest, and a share of future home appreciation. Terms and availability vary by location. Contact Unison for details. This article contains links to third-party websites, which we do not endorse or control. Access these links at your own risk. Statements about home value appreciation are forward-looking and based on assumptions; actual results may vary.