Stop Over-Spending on Pre-Sale Renovations

New York Home Projects with the Highest Return-on-InvestmentIf you’re planning to sell your home this spring, you shouldn’t wait to start making updates. In today’s market, homes that feel well-maintained and move-in ready still stand out and sell for top dollar. To decide what’s worth doing, I recommend leaning on return-on-investment (ROI) data, which shows that smaller, visual improvements can pay off just as much as – or more than – major renovations. Here are the highlights from Zonda’s 2025 Cost vs Value Reportfor the New York market:
  • 323% ROI: Garage door replacement (top performer in New York)

  • 103% ROI: Minor midrange kitchen remodel (slightly pays for itself)

  • 25% ROI: Solar power installation (limited…

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White Cabinets? That’s So 2025

Wood cabinetry has surpassed white as the most popular choice in kitchen remodels, according to Houzz’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Study, which surveyed over 1,700 homeowners about recent renovations. Wood cabinets are now chosen in 29% of projects, just edging out white at 28%, with medium and light wood tones leading the way. While white and off-white remain significant players, colorful cabinets like green and blue are still niche, though green has now overtaken gray. The study also highlights a continued preference for contrasting upper and lower cabinets and a surge in wood countertops on kitchen islands. Additional findings:

  • Popular wood tones:  medium 15%, light 11%, dark 3%.

  • …

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Counties New York Homebuyers Love

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) ranked the New York counties that saw the biggest year-over-year increase in home sales in 2025, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Putnam County tops the list with the strongest sales growth and the tightest inventory, showing how intense buyer demand remains there. Several Hudson Valley and downstate counties — including Ulster, Rockland, Westchester, and Sullivan — also posted notable gains, underscoring that many local markets stayed competitive despite broader national housing headwinds. Key points:

  • Head-Over-Heels: Putnam - Sales up 15.6%. 1.7 months of inventory

  • Fighting Over: Westchester - 45 days on market. 1.6…

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