Before you spend a dollar on renovations, pause.

In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach and Sam break down which home renovations actually increase your home’s value—and which ones quietly drain your money.

Building off our previous conversation about why your first home shouldn’t be your dream home, we dive into the smartest ways homeowners and first-time buyers can approach upgrades with return on investment (ROI) in mind. From kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and major systems to curb appeal, we explain what buyers actually care about—and what they don’t.

We also cover common renovation mistakes, including overly custom designs, luxury upgrades in non-luxury neighborhoods, pools, and trend-heavy remodels that don’t age well. Finally, we walk through real-world examples comparing a smart renovator versus a money-pit renovator ...