Albuquerque Real Estate | Venturi Realty Group

Remodeling for Joy vs. ROI: An Albuquerque Homeowner’s Guide

From Episode 557 of Albuquerque Real Estate Talk

By Venturi Realty Group

For homeowners, the remodeling itch is always present. Whether you’re dreaming of a gourmet kitchen, craving a spa-like primary suite, or just tired of looking at worn-out finishes, the big question is always the same: is it worth it? This conversation often gets split into two distinct paths: Return on Investment (ROI) and what we call the “Joy Factor.”

Which projects add real, measurable value when you sell? And which projects are all about the joy they bring to you while you live in the home? In this breakdown, Tego, Tracy, and Asel Venturi explore the data and share their on-the-ground experience to help you decide what’s right for your home and your goals.

 

 

 

 

 

The “Joy Score”: Remodeling for Your Happiness

Not every home project has to be about the final sales price. In fact, some of the most satisfying upgrades are the ones you do for yourself. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) even publishes a “Joy Score” for remodeling projects, rating how much happiness homeowners get from their new space.

Projects like a complete kitchen renovation, adding a primary suite, or a full bathroom remodel consistently receive a 10 out of 10 for joy. Why? Because these are the spaces we live in every day. As Tracy notes, “The house I showed yesterday, yeah. They were like, ‘we’ll make that dining room an office or something ’cause we’re just gonna sit on bar stools at the island.’ That’s how we live these days, right?”

If you love to cook, investing in an $80,000 upscale kitchen with professional appliances is a “Joy Factor” decision. You probably won’t get all that money back in a sale, but you’ll get to enjoy it every single day you’re in the home.

Interestingly, the NAR study also shows a high joy score for a new roof. While that sounds more like maintenance, Tego points out it’s about “peace of mind.” It’s the joy of not having to worry about leaks. Ultimately, these projects are about making your home more livable for *you*.

“One of the things I see a lot Tego when we work with home sellers is they plan to do some remodeling and upgrades… for sale. And I’m like, you always wanted that done the whole time you lived here. Now you’re gonna do it for the next… owner. Like, get it done, enjoy it while you live there.”

– Tracy Venturi

Maximizing ROI: What to Fix When You’re Selling

If your goal is to prepare your home for sale and get the highest possible price, the strategy changes. Here, you should focus on refreshing, repairing, and neutralizing—not on major, custom renovations.

The projects with the best ROI are often the least expensive:

  • Cleaning: This is the #1 ROI you can get. It costs nothing but time and some cleaning supplies.
  • Painting: A fresh coat of neutral paint can do wonders. It makes a home feel light, bright, and new. Avoid chaotic, multi-colored rooms.

“I showed a house earlier this week actually, and every room was a different color… one wall was pink, one was purple… one of the rooms was mostly like a really dark blue, and the whole room felt small and heavy. Just refreshing with paint can be a huge ROI and a really good selling point.”

– Tracy Venturi

  • Curb Appeal: This is that critical first impression. As Tego says, “Curb appeal matters. Always has mattered. Will always matter when you’re selling your home.” This doesn’t have to be expensive. Tracy adds, “A lot of homeowners are capable of doing something on the exterior themselves… like weeding, trimming, maybe painting trim… just repainting the front door… can make a huge difference.”
  • Deferred Maintenance: Fix the things you’ve been putting off. If your roof is failing, it’s going to come up. It’s better to get it taken care of than to have it become a major negative for buyers.

Albuquerque Remodeling FAQ

  • What’s the best ROI remodel before selling? Cleaning, fresh paint (light & neutral), and curb appeal (trimming, weeding, painting the front door). These cost little but have a huge impact.
  • What is a “Joy Score”? A rating of how much happiness homeowners get from a remodel. High-joy projects include kitchen upgrades, new primary suites, and bathroom renovations.
  • Will a new roof add value? It’s mostly a maintenance item, not an upgrade. A new roof gives peace of mind and removes a major buyer objection, but you likely won’t get a 100% return on the cost.
  • Do new windows really add 15% to my home’s value? Be wary of marketing claims. While new windows are a good upgrade (especially if the old ones are original), a 15% *total value* increase is unrealistic.
  • Should I remodel before I sell? Talk to us first! We can advise which projects (if any) will actually help you sell for more, and which ones aren’t worth the time or money.

Albuquerque’s 2025 Cost vs. Value: What the Data Says (and How to Use It)

The new Cost vs. Value report is out, and it’s a useful gut-check for remodels you’re considering in the Albuquerque area. To respect copyright, we’re sharing only brief excerpts and high-level takeaways here – if you want the full details, you can see the full report here.

“Exterior replacement projects remain the clear winners when it comes to adding resale value.”

“This year’s results reaffirm a long-standing trend: exterior projects deliver more value at resale than larger interior remodels.”

— Zonda’s 2025 Cost vs. Value overview

How the Report Applies in Albuquerque

The report provides market-level estimates you can filter to the Albuquerque MSA. While exact figures live in the report, the pattern is clear and matches what we see on the ground:

  • Curb appeal leads ROI. Think garage doors, entry doors, façade refreshes (e.g., stone veneer), siding/stucco upkeep. These projects are, visible, and market-friendly.
  • Minor kitchen updates punch above their weight. Light-touch refreshes (surfaces, hardware, select appliances) often outperform full gut remodels for resale.
  • Big interior remodels skew “Joy Factor.” Great if you’re staying; less reliable for dollar-for-dollar payback if you’re selling soon.

Quick Albuquerque Guidance

  • Selling in the next 12 months? Prioritize exterior refreshes, paint (light/neutral), and deferred maintenance. Reduce objections first; then add sizzle.
  • Staying put? Spend where you live… kitchen, primary suite, bath – then sanity-check against the report’s local ranges.

How to Pull the Albuquerque Numbers

  1. Open the report: 2025 Cost vs. Value.
  2. Select the Mountain Region and Albuquerque, NM market.
  3. Compare estimated Job Cost vs. Resale Value for the projects you’re considering.

Reality Check: Joy vs. ROI

High-end materials and custom features are often Joy Factor choices. That’s great if you’ll enjoy them for years, but it doesn’t guarantee a 1:1 payback. If the move is near-term, we’ll help you target updates that actually move your sale price – or your time on market.

Remodels That Can Hurt Your Home’s Value

Not all projects are created equal. Some “upgrades” can actually deter buyers or even reduce your home’s value.

1. Poorly Done DIY Projects

This is the biggest offender. A weekend warrior project that’s done with subpar workmanship—like an uneven floor, bad tile work, or messy paint—can take value *away* from the home. Buyers see it as a project they’ll have to pay to fix.

“Poor workmanship and poor design choices do not necessarily add value just because you spent the money on it. So that would be, I think, top of my list.”

– Tego Venturi

2. The Dreaded Garage Conversion

We see this a lot in Albuquerque. Converting a garage into another room is almost always a bad idea for value. Buyers expect a garage, and a poorly done conversion often feels like what it is: a garage they’re trying to make into a bedroom. In many cases, you’d increase the value by undoing the conversion.

3. Over-Personalization & Bad Design

Making a single room (like the kitchen) ultra-contemporary and glossy while the rest of the house is from 1972 creates a jarring, disjointed feel. Buyers may not know *why* it feels wrong, but they know they don’t like it.

“This kitchen is all like white, glossy and contemporary, and the rest of the house is 1972. And… they’re not cohesive… buyers don’t know what it is that they’re feeling when they see these things, but they just know… there’s something wrong.”

– Tracy Venturi

4. High-End Fixtures in the Wrong House

Putting top-of-the-line quartz, expensive faucets, and $10,000 appliances in a $400,000 house is a “Joy Factor” decision. You will not get all that money back. As Tego explains, “Putting those high-end things in a $2 million house, that’s just expected. Versus putting it in a $400,000 house, right?” Make smart, appropriate choices for your home’s price point.

5. Swimming Pools

A pool is the ultimate joy factor vs. ROI debate. It might add some value, but it will almost never add *as much* value as it cost to install.

The Truth About Solar and Home Value

Solar is a hot topic, but the financing makes all the difference.

“If you’re getting one of those systems [a lease or Power Purchase Agreement] and somebody claims that that adds value to your home, that’s a hundred percent false… In fact, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines specifically say those systems have zero value.”

– Tego Venturi

Leased solar can be a major problem when selling. It limits your pool of buyers, as many won’t want to (or can’t) qualify to take over the lease. Tracy warns, “If you have leased solar, that really limits your pool of buyers. There are many buyers who are not interested in having leased solar and taking on your lease.”

Owned solar offers great long-term benefits and is a better option than Leased or a PPA, but it still requires time to get the big payoff. You aren’t likely to get the full cost back if the home sale happens right away.

Final Advice: Talk to Us First

Whether you’re planning to sell next month or stay in your home for 20 years, we’re happy to give you advice. Don’t wait until *after* you’ve spent the money on a remodel to find out if it was a good investment.

As Tracy says, “Talk to us first because we can help consult. Should you do this or should you do that or should you do both or should you do none? We don’t want you wasting time, energy, [or] money if it’s not really gonna help you.”

Thinking of Buying or Selling?

We’re here to help you navigate the process, from remodeling advice to closing day. Call us for a no-obligation consultation.

Venturi
Realty Group

☎ Phone: (505) 448-8888

✉ Email: info@welcomehomeabq.com

📍 Address: 1119 Alameda Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114


Send Us a Message