What Homeowners Most Want to Upgrade in the First or Second Year of Ownership
The Projects Buyers Think About Immediately After Closing
For many buyers, closing escrow is not the finish line — it is the beginning of making the home feel like their own. Even when a property is move-in ready, most new homeowners quickly start thinking about changes: paint colors, flooring, kitchen finishes, bathrooms, lighting, storage, landscaping, and overall comfort.
Recent research supports this trend. Redfin reported that 43% of Americans renovated their home in the last year, while another 33% plan to renovate in the next year. The most common recent upgrades were fresh paint, bathrooms, kitchens, exterior maintenance, and landscaping.
The bigger picture is clear: homeowners are not just remodeling for resale. They are remodeling because they want the home to work better, feel better, look better, and fit their lifestyle.
Why New Homeowners Remodel So Quickly
Most buyers discover things after moving in that were not fully obvious during showings. Maybe the kitchen layout feels dated. Maybe the bathroom lighting is poor. Maybe the flooring does not match their style. Maybe the backyard has potential but needs work.
Houzz reported that 54% of U.S. homeowners renovated in 2025, with median renovation spending holding at $20,000, showing that remodeling activity remains strong even as homeowners become more cautious about budgets.
Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies also projects homeowner improvement and repair spending to remain large in 2026, reaching an estimated $518 billion by the end of the year.
In simple terms: buyers are still buying homes — but they are also planning how to improve them almost immediately.
1. Kitchen Updates: The First Big Dream Project
The kitchen is usually the upgrade homeowners think about first. It is the center of daily life, entertaining, family time, and resale appeal.
Common first- or second-year kitchen upgrades include:
- New countertops
- Cabinet refacing or replacement
- Updated backsplash
- New appliances
- Larger island or improved layout
- Better lighting
- New sink and faucet
- Pantry or storage improvements
Angi’s 2025 State of Home Spending Pulse Report found that the top dream project homeowners hope to take on is a kitchen remodel, cited by 31% of respondents.
Zillow’s 2026 research also found strong buyer response to upgraded kitchen finishes, with homes mentioning quartzite countertops selling for more than expected.
Why it matters:
A kitchen upgrade does not always need to be a full gut remodel. Sometimes new counters, hardware, lighting, backsplash, and appliances can completely change how the home feels.
2. Bathroom Renovations: High Emotional Impact
Bathrooms are another top priority because they affect comfort every single day. A dated bathroom can make a home feel older, even if the rest of the house is clean and functional.
Common bathroom upgrades include:
- New vanity
- Updated tile
- Walk-in shower
- New fixtures
- Better lighting
- Frameless glass shower door
- New flooring
- Improved ventilation
- Modern mirrors and storage
Angi found that bathroom renovations were the second most desired dream project, behind kitchens. Redfin also reported that bathroom improvements were one of the most common recent renovations, completed by 43% of renovators.
The National Association of Realtors and NARI found that bathroom renovations were among the projects seeing increased demand from homeowners.
Why it matters:
Bathrooms are personal. Buyers may tolerate an older bathroom during escrow, but once they move in, it often becomes one of the first spaces they want to improve.
3. Flooring: The Upgrade That Changes the Whole House
Flooring is one of the most noticeable upgrades because it connects every room. New floors can make an older home feel cleaner, brighter, and more current.
Common flooring upgrades include:
- Luxury vinyl plank
- Engineered hardwood
- Tile
- Carpet removal
- Staircase flooring updates
- Waterproof flooring in high-use areas
A home renovation survey from Empire Today found that painting, flooring, and outdoor renovations were among the most common types of improvements, with flooring ranking especially high in the West.
NAHB’s buyer preference research also found that hardwood on the main level is desired by a large share of buyers.
Why it matters:
Flooring is often easier to do before furniture is fully settled. That is why many homeowners want to handle it early.
4. Interior Paint: The Fastest Way to Make It Feel Like Home
Fresh paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective upgrades after closing.
It helps buyers:
- Remove the previous owner’s style
- Brighten the home
- Create a cleaner look
- Match furniture and design plans
- Make the home feel new without major construction
Redfin found that painting was the most popular recent upgrade, with 47% of recent renovators giving their home a fresh coat.
NAR and NARI also reported that Realtors most commonly recommend painting the entire home before listing, which shows how powerful paint is for both living enjoyment and resale presentation.
Why it matters:
Paint is not glamorous, but it changes the entire mood of a home quickly.
5. Lighting and Electrical Updates
Lighting is one of the most underrated upgrades. Many buyers do not fully notice poor lighting during a daytime showing, but they feel it immediately once they live in the home.
Popular lighting upgrades include:
- Recessed lighting
- Pendant lights over kitchen islands
- Under-cabinet lighting
- Bathroom vanity lighting
- Exterior lighting
- Smart switches
- Dimmer controls
- Updated chandeliers and fixtures
NAHB’s research found that exterior lighting was one of the most wanted home features among buyers. The same research also showed increased interest in smart and security-related home features.
Why it matters:
Lighting affects design, safety, function, and first impressions. It is often a smaller upgrade that creates a big improvement.
6. Outdoor Living, Landscaping, and Curb Appeal
Outdoor space has become a major priority, especially in Southern California. Buyers want patios, usable yards, outdoor dining areas, fire pits, privacy landscaping, and low-maintenance exterior spaces.
Common outdoor upgrades include:
- Landscaping
- Patio upgrades
- Outdoor kitchen or BBQ area
- Fire pit or fireplace
- Artificial turf
- Privacy hedges
- Exterior paint
- Front entry improvements
- New garage door
- Deck or balcony improvements
NAHB found that a patio was one of the top two most wanted home features, desired by 86% of buyers, while landscaping and exterior lighting were also highly desired.
Zillow’s 2026 research found that outdoor lifestyle features can help homes sell for more, including outdoor kitchens, outdoor showers, outdoor fireplaces, waterfront features, and cottage-style appeal.
Why it matters:
Outdoor upgrades improve lifestyle first — but they also create strong emotional appeal when the homeowner eventually sells.
7. Storage, Closets, Laundry, and Pantry Improvements
Many homeowners do not think about storage until they move in. Then they quickly realize whether the home works for daily life.
Popular storage upgrades include:
- Custom closet systems
- Garage cabinets
- Mudroom storage
- Pantry build-outs
- Laundry room cabinets
- Built-in shelving
- Under-stair storage
- Linen closet upgrades
NAHB found that laundry rooms, garage storage, walk-in pantries, and kitchen table space are among the features many buyers rate as essential or desirable.
NAR and NARI’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report also found strong cost recovery for closet renovations.
Why it matters:
Storage upgrades are practical. They do not always look flashy online, but homeowners feel the benefit every day.
8. Energy Efficiency and Smart Home Features
Energy efficiency and smart home upgrades are becoming more important as utility costs, comfort, and security matter more to homeowners.
Common upgrades include:
- Smart thermostats
- Smart lighting
- Security cameras
- Video doorbells
- ENERGY STAR appliances
- Energy-efficient windows
- Better insulation
- HVAC improvements
- Solar preparation or battery planning
NAHB’s buyer research found strong demand for ENERGY STAR windows and appliances, and also noted growing buyer interest in security cameras, wired security systems, and programmable thermostats.
Why it matters:
These upgrades improve comfort and control. They may not be as visually exciting as a kitchen remodel, but buyers increasingly value homes that feel efficient, safe, and easy to manage.
9. Primary Suite and Bedroom Comfort Upgrades
Once homeowners settle in, the primary bedroom often becomes a priority. They want the space to feel calm, functional, and more elevated.
Common primary suite upgrades include:
- Closet systems
- New flooring
- Better lighting
- Accent wall or paint
- Bathroom upgrades
- Window treatments
- Soundproofing
- Built-in storage
NAR and NARI found that a primary bedroom suite addition earned one of the highest homeowner satisfaction scores in their 2025 Remodeling Impact Report.
Why it matters:
A great primary suite improves daily quality of life. For long-term owners, this is often less about resale and more about comfort.
10. Exterior Maintenance: Roof, Doors, Garage Door, Windows
Some upgrades are not exciting — but they matter. After closing, homeowners often discover that major systems or exterior elements need attention sooner than expected.
Common maintenance-driven upgrades include:
- Roof replacement
- Garage door replacement
- Front door replacement
- Window replacement
- Siding repair
- Stucco repair
- Drainage improvements
- Exterior paint
- Gutter replacement
JLC’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report showed high cost recovery for several exterior projects, including garage door replacement, steel entry door replacement, manufactured stone veneer, siding replacement, and minor kitchen remodels.
NAR and NARI also reported that new roofing earned one of the highest homeowner satisfaction scores, while front door replacement showed strong cost recovery.
Why it matters:
These projects protect the home. They may not be the dream remodel, but they often become urgent within the first couple years.
The Best First-Year Upgrade Strategy
Not every homeowner should remodel everything immediately. The smartest approach is usually to separate upgrades into three categories.
Do First
These are high-impact and easier before settling in:
- Paint
- Flooring
- Lighting
- Basic electrical updates
- Window coverings
- Minor bathroom refreshes
Plan Carefully
These affect layout, permits, plumbing, electrical, and budget:
- Kitchen remodel
- Bathroom remodel
- Structural changes
- Room additions
- Major outdoor living projects
Watch and Learn
These may be better after living in the home for a while:
- Full backyard redesign
- Primary suite reconfiguration
- Major storage redesign
- Home office conversion
- Large custom built-ins
A home often “tells” the owner what it needs after a few months of real use.
What This Means for Buyers
Buyers should not only ask, “Is this home upgraded?” They should ask, “Can I improve this home intelligently?”
Sometimes the best opportunity is not the fully remodeled home. It may be the home with:
- A great location
- A strong floor plan
- Good natural light
- Solid structure
- Outdated finishes
- Room to improve value over time
Zillow’s 2026 research found that turnkey and remodeled homes can sell for more than expected, while fixer-uppers sell for less. That gap creates an opportunity for buyers who can remodel wisely and control costs.
A Smart Advantage When You Buy With Us
Many buyers want to remodel within the first or second year after purchase — especially kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, cabinets, countertops, tile, and finishes.
When you buy a home with us, you receive optional access to contractor-level pricing on construction materialsfor your future remodel.
That can help you:
- Reduce material costs
- Stretch your remodeling budget
- Upgrade sooner after closing
- Customize the home to your taste
- Build equity more efficiently
In today’s market, where upgraded homes often command a premium, buying the right home and improving it strategically can be one of the smartest ways to create long-term value.
Final Thoughts
The most desirable upgrades homeowners want in the first or second year of ownership usually fall into two groups: projects that make the home feel personal and projects that improve long-term value.
The top priorities are usually:
- Kitchen upgrades
- Bathroom renovations
- Flooring
- Interior paint
- Lighting
- Outdoor living and landscaping
- Storage and closet systems
- Energy-efficient and smart home features
- Primary suite improvements
- Exterior maintenance and curb appeal
The right upgrade plan depends on the home, the buyer’s budget, and how long they plan to stay. But one thing is clear: homeowners want homes that feel better, function better, and reflect the way they actually live.
