12 Curb Appeal Projects With the Highest ROI (Ranked by Data)

Why Curb Appeal Is Your Best Investment

47% of buyers who drive by a home won't even schedule a showing if the exterior is unappealing. Your home's curb appeal is literally the gatekeeper to your sale.

Top 12 Curb Appeal Projects (Ranked by ROI)

1. Pressure Washing (ROI: 500-700%)

Cost: $200-400 | Driveway, walkways, siding, and patio. Nothing makes a home look newer faster.

2. Fresh Mulch & Edging (ROI: 400-600%)

Cost: $100-200 | Dark mulch in all beds, clean edges along walkways. Takes 2-3 hours.

3. Front Door Paint (ROI: 300-500%)

Cost: $50-100 | Bold colors (navy, red, black) on a clean front door. The single most photographed element of your home.

4. New House Numbers (ROI: 300-400%)

Cost: $20-50 | Modern floating numbers in brushed nickel or matte black. Small detail, big impact.

5. Landscape Lighting (ROI: 200-300%)

Cost: $100-300 | Solar path lights and uplighting on trees. Makes evening showings magical.

6. New Mailbox (ROI: 200-300%)

Cost: $50-150 | Replace that rusty mailbox with a clean, modern one.

7. Window Boxes or Planters (ROI: 200-250%)

Cost: $50-100 | Colorful flowers in window boxes or flanking the front door.

8. New Outdoor Light Fixtures (ROI: 150-200%)

Cost: $100-200 | Replace dated porch lights with modern fixtures.

9. Garage Door Update (ROI: 100-150%)

Cost: $200-500 | If replacement isn't needed, paint it and add decorative hardware.

10. Fence Repair & Staining (ROI: 100-150%)

Cost: $200-500 | Fix leaning sections, replace broken boards, apply fresh stain.

11. New Welcome Mat & Potted Plants (ROI: 200-300%)

Cost: $30-60 | The cheapest upgrade with outsized impact at the front door.

12. Gutter Cleaning & Repair (ROI: 100-150%)

Cost: $100-200 | Sagging gutters signal neglect. Clean and reattach them.

The Weekend Curb Appeal Blitz

You can complete projects 1-4, 7, and 11 in a single weekend for under $500 total. That's a potential $2,000-3,000 return on your investment.