When renovating your home, you may prioritize features that have the most resale value over your personal preferences. But a new report from Thumbtack reveals that homeowners are flipping the script in 2025 and prioritizing renovations that make them feel good right now instead of ones that may pay off down the road.
To understand this trend, Thumbtack surveyed over 1,000 U.S. homeowners. The findings reveal that the biggest return on investment for homeowners right now is living in a space that makes them happy, and they’re willing to spend big to make their homes feel like the sanctuary of their dreams.
Thumbtack found that 84 percent of homeowners are prioritizing projects that bring happiness over dollars, including 68 percent of those planning to sell. There are a few reasons for this shift—about 32 percent of people said they don’t plan to sell their home for quite some time, while 25 percent said it’s because they spend so much time at home.
About one-third (31 percent) of survey respondents plan to spend over $10,000 this year on joy-first projects, which Thumbtack defines as projects homeowners would still do even if they don’t pay off in resale value. These are the 10 most popular projects:
- Interior painting
- Replacing windows
- Installing new floors
- Updating lighting fixtures
- Walk-in closets
- Sunrooms
- Dedicated hobby space
- In-ground swimming pool or hot tub
- Built-in bookcases
- Home gyms
If you’re ready to renovate and need cash, reach out to Equity Resources and let’s discuss options available to you.