When it comes to getting the most for your money, homeowners should invest in exterior home improvement projects if they want to increase their resale value.

Exterior replacement projects are among some of the most cost-effective home improvement projects, according to a National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) report. A home’s exterior is one of the most important aspects of a home at resale time, the NAR said.

"Exterior projects …. not only provide the most value, but also are among the least expensive improvements for a home," said NAR President Ron Phipps. "Curb appeal remains king – it’s the first thing potential buyers notice when looking for a home, and it also demonstrates pride of ownership."

Replacing the steel entry door is the project that returns the most money, with an estimated 102.1 percent of cost recouped upon resale, according to a statement. The midrange garage door replacement is expected to recoup 83.9 percent of costs.

While most regions are consistently estimated to return a higher percentage of remodeling costs upon resale, New England was not one of them, according to the report. The area reported some of the lowest percentage of cost recouped.