Simple Home Renovations The renovations that do pay tend to be inexpensive ways to put your home on the market, according to Sharon Hanby-Robie, author of My Name Isn't Martha But I Can Renovate My Home. Ms. Hanby-Robie says, "Focus on the front. Landscaping, even just cutting the weeds, improves salability." Here are her top five other profitable projects, all of which should cost less than $1,000: Put planters on the porch. Install a new front door. Seal the driveway. Paint the exterior, especially the trim. Add cabinets to the garage. Make it look like it has as much storage as possible.