November 2024

Winter is the perfect time for Florida homeowners to tackle a few house projects. Better yet, many home improvements and upgrades have an excellent return on investment (ROI) and will elevate your property value — a bonus if you want to sell your house in the spring. Here are seven winter projects you’ll want to dive into this season.

1. Spruce Up the Garden

Curb appeal matters whether you’re attracting potential buyers or simply want to come home to a beautiful house. According to Zillow and Thumbtack data, 33% of homeowners invest in landscaping before listing their house. Another 21% believe curb appeal upgrades helped them sell their home. 

You can enhance your property’s curb appeal by laying fresh sod or fertilizer down for a lush, green lawn. Adding new flowers and mulch to garden beds also exudes a more kept look. Remember to add native plants, too, which require little maintenance and are already adapted to the region. 

2. Enhance the Home Exterior

Because of Florida’s weather conditions, your home may be covered in dirt and debris. Giving your siding a good power cleaning enhances the exterior appearance. Likewise, winter is the best time to repair holes, dents and cracks, update the shutters or repaint the outside of your home, especially since temperatures are lower and drier this time of year. 

Adding a storm door may also enhance your exterior aesthetic value. Storm doors come in various sizes, colors and styles and offer additional protection from rain, dust and pollen. They also allow you to ventilate the indoors when temperatures are comfortable outside.

3. Optimize Energy Efficiency

With intensifying extreme weather throughout the state, homeowners need to look at ways to optimize their homes. Energy efficiency upgrades help Florida homeowners save power and money on utility bills. If you really want to elevate your property value during the winter, consider the following projects:

• Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors and air ventilation ducts

• Adding new insulation to the walls, ceiling and floors

• Replacing outdated windows and doors with newer, more efficient models

• Installing a solar water heater

• Integrating a programmable or smart thermostat for enhanced indoor comfort

• Adding skylights for natural light

Many of these projects have impressive ROIs. For instance, a programmable thermostat can return 5%–25% of your investment, while energy-efficient windows have a 70% ROI. Likewise, you could opt for hurricane-resistant windows to protect your home from more frequent tropical cyclones. 

4. Remodel the Kitchen

You can’t go wrong with a kitchen remodel. According to a 2024 report, a minor kitchen remodel has a 96.1% ROI, adding $26,406 to your property value. Upgrades could include replacing cabinet fronts with shaker-style panels, adding more modern hardware and replacing kitchen appliances with energy-efficient products.

Additionally, you might paint the walls and trim, replace old counters with quartz or granite countertops and install a new sink. If you have money left over in your budget, give your kitchen a facelift with a new backsplash and flooring.

5. Upgrade Outdoor Living

The beauty of living in Florida is you can spend time outside year-round. As such, you’ll want to enhance your outdoor living space to increase your property value. Invest in new patio furniture, add string lights, and integrate a fountain for soothing, trickling water. 

More extensive projects include an outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue or an in-ground pool for the picturesque aesthetic appeal of the sun hitting the water all year round. If you lack backyard space, a plunge pool may be another option. While it’ll cost you $20,000 initially, it’s worth it in the long run. These pools are much more shallow and allow you to lounge comfortably. 

6. Maintain the Roof

Inspect your roof bi-annually to ensure it’s in proper condition. Most Florida roofs are asphalt, with a life span of 15-25 years — but inclement weather can impact its durability. 

Tropical storms and hurricanes bring strong winds and rain, which can lift shingles and leave your home susceptible to water damage. Have your roof looked at by a professional and make the necessary repairs immediately after a storm.

7. Invest in New Flooring 

Flooring — it’s one of the first things visitors and potential buyers see when they enter your home. An attractive, neat floor can significantly boost your home’s property value. In fact, research indicates that new flooring can add up to 80% return on investment (ROI) and over 2% increase in sales price. 

The biggest decision is selecting what flooring will work best in a home. Each type has its own benefits and aesthetic value. For example, hardwood flooring remains popular due to its versatility, and with engineered hardwood there’s protection against humidity. 

Laminate flooring is often a preferred type for pet owners because it is resistant to scratches, dents and stains. Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are simple to maintain and are often selected for its affordability, whereas some homeowners look for high-end flooring choices like natural stone. No matter what flooring you choose, it can make a huge difference to the property’s appeal. 

Winter Home Projects for Excellent Value

Making home improvements during the winter creates optimal living and improves property value. With the right projects, you can earn a high ROI and impress potential buyers if you choose to sell. 

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Fans of home-flipping shows may think they have what it takes to renovate a fixer-upper. However, in reality, they have a big decision when faced with buying a new or old home. With pros and cons to each, you must weigh your options carefully.

Advantages of Buying New Construction

Buying a new home has perks, such as being ready to move in from the start. If you’re planning a new construction, you can tweak features to your liking, from cabinet colors and styles to flooring. New homes also offer far more flexibility when it comes to the layout.

Of course, a new home offers more than just shiny, modern fixtures and finishes. It also means you get brand-new systems and appliances, including your home’s roof, plumbing, electrical, appliances and HVAC unit. With this comes builder’s and manufacturer’s warranties to cover defects, breakdowns and other issues you might face in the first couple of years of ownership. However, it’s important to note you’ll also have warranties for an older home.

Other advantages of buying a new home build include the following:

• Up to code with the latest building and safety standards

• Won’t require upfront costs for repairs

• May come with smart home technologies and energy-efficient products

• Often built in a new community with growth potential

Of course, a new community may mean you’ll have to wait for amenities. If it isn’t a problem for you, getting in at the ground level may be appealing.

How Does a Fixer-Upper Compare to a New Home Build?

New construction could be more expensive than a fixer-upper because of the latter’s condition. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median sales price of a new home was $426,300 in September 2024 — the average was $501,000. As such, people with a tight budget willing to get their hands dirty may be more inclined to buy a fixer-upper.

Whereas potential buyers can customize a new home to their liking, those who purchase a fixer-upper must work with the home’s existing layout and limitations. These older homes are ideal for do-it-yourself projects, but you must also be open to working with an experienced contractor to complete a renovation correctly. 

Conversely, new construction is primarily hands-off once the house is built. Leading up to it, you won’t have to worry about delays as new construction tends to have tighter timelines. However, if you want to build equity by reselling the house after renovating it, a fixer-upper is your best option.

What to Consider When Deciding Between New and Old Homes

Even with the advantages of new construction, buying a new home build versus a fixer-upper is a complex decision. There is much to consider before putting an offer down. First, you must decide whether to live in or sell the house as a flip. Older homes, in particular, require several expensive renovations to bring them up to today’s standards. 

For example, a fixer-upper may have foundation issues you’re unaware of — foreclosed or auction houses may not be inspected before the bidder takes possession. This repair could eat into your budget, considering cement costs saw double-digit increases year-over-year in September 2022. The same goes for plumbing and electrical upgrades.

Newer homes are often equipped with energy efficiency, fresh insulation and new appliances, helping you save money. The building warranties will also cover any structural defects. However, newer build neighborhoods may lack the characteristics you’ll find in homes in a traditional neighborhood — this may be important to some homeowners. 

The Hidden Costs of a Fixer-Upper

You could pay less for a fixer-upper — on average, an older home costs $225,000 in the U.S. — but you may be left to cover the costs of pricey repairs and replacements once you move in, such as a new $10,000 HVAC unit.

You should be aware of numerous hidden costs associated with fixer-uppers beforehand. For example, older homes are more susceptible to pest and mold problems, which are expensive to remediate. Mold removal is usually $1,223 to $3,749, while mitigating pest infestations is $250 to $850, depending on the severity. 

Other hidden costs may relate to construction permits, upgrades to meet municipal criteria, invisible structural issues and outdated systems. Of course, you may also need to factor in temporary housing costs if you can’t live on the property during renovation.

Historic homes, especially, may be more costly to fix. For one thing, you’ll need to invest in historically accurate materials to maintain the house’s integrity. You’ll also need to pay for specialized labor and underdog stricter permitting procedures.

It’s always best to consider how strict your budget is to determine if you can afford the hidden costs of a fixer-upper. If you can only afford a $450,000 house, you can buy a new home built on the high end of your budget or buy a home between $350,000 and $400,000 to upgrade the house as necessary.

Buy New or Old? It Comes Down to Budget

Buying something move-in ready may be more costly than an older house, but you won’t have to spend time or money on upgrades. Of course, if you have the budget and determination to take on projects, a fixer-upper could be your best option. Consider how much you’re willing to spend with enough saved for unexpected repairs. Then, make an informed and realistic decision for your household.

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