Spring is in the air, and many are at home; it's a perfect time to plot home improvement projects. As homeowners, you want to make sure that the money you put into the home is worth it and that the upgrades will garner you a large return. A look at data from HomeLight, a service that matches homesellers with local top agents, showcases exactly what buyers are looking for in this spring market.

Projects with the highest ROI

Each year in February, HomeLight surveys its top agents across the country to gauge their sentiments on the market. According to this spring home improvement infographic based on HomeLight's Top Agent Insights for Q1 2020 that surveyed more than 500 top agents, the following are the top upgrades that will make the most impact.

Paint

Painting is a relatively low-cost improvement that can make a big difference on the look and feel of a home, not to mention how buyers perceive the space. According to the survey, 98 percent of agents say buyers prefer neutrals to loud colors, and 79 percent also prefer gray tones, but only 9 percent prefer beiges.

Accent walls also appear to be on the way out with 36 percent of agents agreeing. Many home improvement and paint stores deliver, so this is a project you could easily do while socially distancing.

Windows

Windows are another area where homesellers can win big. Of the agents surveyed, 46 percent agree energy efficient windows increase the value of a home. The majority of agents (80 percent) believe homeowners will recoup more than the cost of window and siding replacement when it comes time to sell.

Gutters

If homeowners replace gutters with a high-quality product, agents believe they'll get a 60 percent return on that investment.

As you can see, it's not all about hardwood floors and new finishes. While gutters often go unnoticed or aren't high on the priority list, they are an essential part of a home exterior that needs to be in working order! Sometimes the projects that make the most sense are the ones that are simple and will get the most use.

All in all, there are an array of home improvements that are worthwhile to invest in now to see a return later. These projects can seem big to take on, but focusing on one area of the house to start on and gradually make improvements can help you tackle these changes at a pace that you're comfortable with!

In addition, while many of these projects might have to wait given the current global pandemic, it is never too early to start planning or allocating a budget toward future projects that have been on your list! Having a plan in place and a project to look forward to will help to make those changes a reality when the time is right.

Check out HomeLight's seller resources for home improvement projects with high ROI to get more information, inspiration and insights on the current state of the market and advice if you're still looking to sell!