Every year we track renovation costs against eventual resale premiums across our closed listings, and this year's numbers include a shift worth flagging before you commit budget to a project: exterior and outdoor-living work is outperforming interior remodels for the first time in the five years we've been tracking this.
A full kitchen remodel - cabinets, counters, appliances - still recoups value, but this year's average was 68% of cost recovered at sale, down from 76% two years ago, largely because buyer expectations for a 'nice kitchen' have simply risen, making the same renovation feel less differentiating.
Meanwhile, adding or restoring a covered porch, particularly on craftsman and farmhouse-style homes, averaged 91% cost recovery, and in Montford and West Asheville specifically, listings with a usable covered outdoor space sold an average of nine days faster than comparable homes without one.
Landscaping and curb appeal work - which is cheap relative to a full remodel - continues to punch above its cost, especially for homes in walkable neighborhoods where buyers are forming an impression before they've even stepped inside.
The practical read: if you're planning a pre-sale renovation with a one-to-two-year horizon, a covered porch or deck and focused exterior work will likely outperform a full kitchen gut in this specific market, though a kitchen that's genuinely dated - not just unfashionable - is still worth addressing.
Thinking about buying or selling in Asheville? Our team is happy to talk through what this means for your specific neighborhood.
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Marcus leads the firm's buyer-side practice, with a focus on first-time buyers and relocations to West Asheville, Black Mountain, and Haw Creek. A former general contractor, he's known for spotting renovation red flags before an inspection ever happens.
