Top 3 Home Improvements with Over 100% ROI: What Oregon Coast Homeowners Should Know
Published on May 23rd, 2025 by Audra Powell, CRS - Your Oregon Coast Real Estate Expert
Whether you're preparing to sell your Lincoln County property or simply looking to increase your home's value, choosing the right renovation projects is crucial for coastal homeowners in Newport, Yachats, Waldport, and surrounding communities. Not all home improvements are created equal when it comes to return on investment (ROI), especially for Lincoln County homes facing unique coastal environmental challenges.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®' 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, only a select few projects actually return more than 100% of their cost when you sell. As your experienced Lincoln County listing agent, I'm sharing the top three home improvements that give Lincoln County homeowners the biggest return on their investment.
1. Hardwood Flooring Refinish: 147% ROI
The Investment: $3,400 (average cost)
The Return: $5,000 (estimated value recovered)
Joy Score: 10/10
Refinishing existing hardwood floors is the clear winner in terms of ROI, returning a remarkable 147% of the project cost. This means for every dollar you spend, you're getting back $1.47 in home value.
Hardwood floor refinishing is particularly valuable in Lincoln County homes, where salt air from the Pacific and tracked-in sand from our beautiful beaches can quickly wear down flooring surfaces. The process typically involves sanding down the existing finish, repairing any damaged boards, and applying a new stain and protective coating.
Why It Works for Oregon Coast Properties:
- Enhances the coastal aesthetic that Newport and Yachats home buyers expect
- Removes salt air damage and restores natural beauty
- Creates a durable surface that stands up to Lincoln County beach traffic
- Achieves a "like-new" appearance without full replacement costs
Homeowner Satisfaction: Beyond the financial return, this project received a perfect Joy Score of 10/10, with 64% of homeowners reporting a greater desire to be at home after completion. The same percentage reported an increased sense of enjoyment while at home.
As one local Lincoln County homeowner told me, "Refinishing our 15-year-old oak floors made them look better than when we first moved in. Potential buyers commented specifically on how beautiful the floors were during our Newport home showing."
2. New Wood Flooring: 118% ROI
The Investment: $5,500 (average cost)
The Return: $6,500 (estimated value recovered)
Joy Score: 10/10
Installing brand new hardwood flooring comes in second place with an impressive 118% ROI. This is an excellent option if your Lincoln County home currently has damaged wood flooring beyond repair, or if you're replacing carpet or vinyl with more desirable hardwood.
Why It Works for Oregon Coast Properties:
- Creates a seamless, high-end look throughout your Newport or Yachats home
- Provides an opportunity to select coastal-appropriate species like white oak or teak that withstand Lincoln County's marine climate
- Allows for wider planks that showcase the wood grain (a current Lincoln County home buyer preference)
- Can be engineered to withstand humidity fluctuations common in our coastal area
Homeowner Satisfaction: Like refinishing, installing new wood floors earned a perfect Joy Score of 10/10. A remarkable 90% of homeowners reported a greater desire to be at home after this project, and 77% experienced increased enjoyment of their home.
"After years of dealing with carpet that never felt clean with all the sand we track in from Lincoln County beaches, switching to hardwood transformed how we live in our space," shared a recent client in Waldport. "The floors are easier to maintain and elevate our entire home."
3. Insulation Upgrade: 100% ROI
The Investment: $2,500 (average cost)
The Return: $2,500 (estimated value recovered)
Joy Score: 10/10
Rounding out our top three is insulation upgrades, which return exactly 100% of their cost. While this might seem less impressive than the first two options, the energy efficiency benefits continue paying dividends long after installation for Lincoln County homeowners.
Why It Works for Oregon Coast Properties:
- Reduces heating and cooling costs, which can be substantial in Lincoln County with temperature fluctuations between ocean and inland areas
- Helps maintain comfortable temperatures despite Lincoln County sea breezes and fluctuating humidity
- Provides sound dampening from coastal storms and outdoor activities
- Represents an "invisible upgrade" that improves your home's livability without aesthetic changes
Homeowner Satisfaction: Despite being less visible than flooring improvements, insulation upgrades still earned a perfect Joy Score of 10/10. Among homeowners who completed this project, 85% reported a greater desire to be at home, and 69% felt a major sense of accomplishment.
"The difference was immediate," noted a homeowner in Depoe Bay. "Our second-floor rooms that used to be uncomfortably hot in summer became comfortable overnight, and our energy bills dropped by almost 30%."
What These Projects Have in Common
It's worth noting what these high-ROI improvements share:
- They're relatively modest investments compared to major remodels
- They address fundamental home functions rather than purely aesthetic concerns
- They enhance the entire home experience rather than just one room
- They appeal to almost all buyers regardless of personal taste
The Oregon Coast Advantage
While these improvements yield high returns nationwide, Oregon coast properties can see even better results when these upgrades address our region-specific concerns:
- Climate Resilience: Quality flooring and insulation help protect against the Oregon coast's unique humidity and temperature patterns
- Maintenance Reduction: Durable finishes stand up better to our salt air and sandy foot traffic from nearby beaches
- Energy Efficiency: Proper insulation combats ocean sea breezes and reduces heating costs during our cooler months
Before You Begin
If you're considering any of these high-ROI improvements, keep these tips in mind:
- Hire qualified professionals with experience with Oregon Coast properties
- Select materials suited to our coastal environment (moisture-resistant, salt-air tolerant)
- Consider timing (off-season may offer better contractor availability for Lincoln County projects)
- Check local regulations before beginning any project (especially in Lincoln County's coastal zones)
Ready to Boost Your Oregon Coast Home's Value?
With over 20 years of experience serving Newport, Yachats, Waldport, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Otter Rock, and Seal Rock, I'm happy to provide personalized advice on which improvements might yield the best returns for your specific Oregon coast property. Whether you're preparing to sell your home or simply investing in your property's future, understanding ROI can help you make smart decisions.
As your dedicated Oregon Coast real estate professional, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with our coastal properties. My expertise in the Lincoln County real estate market means I can guide you toward improvements that will appeal most to our area's home buyers.
Contact me today for a free consultation about your home improvement plans!
Stay tuned for our next blog in this series: "Exterior Updates That Pay You Back: Roofing and Garage Doors"
About Audra Powell, CRS: Licensed since 2004, I specialize in oceanview and oceanfront properties throughout Lincoln County, including Newport, Yachats, Waldport, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Otter Rock, and Seal Rock. As a top-producing agent with Advantage Real Estate and #1 in Newport for sales and production in 2024, I bring unmatched local knowledge and personalized service to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Sources: National Association of REALTORS® 2022 Remodeling Impact Report
