Any renovation process can be overwhelming, but artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way in helping homeowners visualize opportunities in design. Hover is one product that's doing it right, and we've had a chance to put it to the test on the new Realtor.com tool, Renovation Designer.
"Hover is simplifying home renovation for everyone," agrees Sumeet Howe, Head of Product at Hover. "With Hover, homeowners can easily visualize both interior and exterior upgrades with just a few clicks — no design expertise or costly software needed."
See Your Renovation Before You Start
"Visualizing changes first can make you feel more confident about committing to updates," added Levi Schoenfeld, Product Manager at Hover. "Apps like Hover take the guesswork out of renovations. With Hover Instant Design, homeowners can upload a photo of their home and instantly start redesigning risk-free, visualizing different styles and selecting different interior and exterior finishes, colors, and materials from real manufacturers and paint brands."
The tool takes it a step beyond other tools we've tried, applying accurate spatial data and measurements to produce realistic images.
Not only does Realtor.com's Renovation Designer allow homeowners to use images from the sale listing (if available), but homeowners can also upload photos of their home once they've claimed the address. There's a lot of value in a tool like this, whether you're looking to renovate your home for the long haul, or invest in updates before a resale that'll help it look its best.
The ideas generated by the AI design generator can range from updated siding or wall color scheme, to updated interior floors, lighting, and kitchen cabinets. An exterior remodel is on my horizon, and the tool actually did help me visualize several different colors and siding styles that I didn't expect to like as much as I did. It even enhanced the landscaping design, adding new plants into a front garden bed. It did a pretty good job modeling new siding options around existing landscape and hardscape elements, too.
Planning for Resale? Hover Helps With That, Too
Sometimes, it's just a matter of identifying small, sustainable changes to understand the impact. If you're planning to sell your home, small changes can lead to a big return. Here are some top tips to keep in mind:
- Prioritize Curb Appeal. "In this case, you can judge a book by its cover, at least when it comes to securing buyer interest," notes Schoenfeld. "The first thing any house hunter will see is the exterior of the home, and first impressions matter. Sellers can use apps like Hover to preview countless design options from exterior paint colors, to bigger ticket investments like new windows or siding, offering a clear, confidence-boosting look at potential transformations."
- Focus on Strategic Spaces. "Preparing your home for a resale is all about strategically targeting the parts of your home with the highest value and return on investment," shares Schoenfeld. Think of it as virtual staging that can guide decorating and renovation ideas. "Focus on spaces like the kitchen and bathrooms where you can retile or replace outdated fixtures to make the entire space feel modern and refreshed." He also adds that the roof is often a deal breaker for buyers. "While it’s an expensive investment, replacing a 15+ year old roof not only adds immediate value, but it also gives potential buyers peace of mind."
- Create Comfort. "Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves in the home, which can be difficult when there might be personalized decor in your space," reminds Schoenfeld. "If you have bold walls, consider replacing them with warm neutrals. Keep it simple with classic style versus jumping on the latest trends to create a home with broad appeal. I recommend using an app like Hover to select different architectural styles like Farmhouse or Traditional to preview any drastic changes before committing."
Explore a Wide Range of Design Styles
Whether you're curious if you'd like a farmhouse kitchen design or want to explore a mid-century modern exterior home design, the tool does a great job. It offers a diverse selection of design styles (including ones I never thought I'd like) so that users can experiment and find the perfect fit. Not only can you choose from an array of architectural design elements, but you can also explore digitized materials and paint colors, giving you a true-to-life preview of how your home could look.
Make Informed Decisions with Confidence
A key benefit is how it helps homeowners during the design process (without the use of complicated design software). "Starting any kind of home renovation can be a very daunting (and expensive) task, particularly if you are unsure of what the final results will look like," shared Charlie Lankston, Executive Editor and Housing Expert at Realtor.com. "Thankfully, using an AI tool like the Renovation Designer can help to remove any doubt and ensure that homeowners are fully confident in their plans before embarking on potentially costly and time-consuming work."
The ability to see a realistic design representation of your planned renovations minimizes the risk of unpleasant surprises, like a wall color that doesn’t turn out as expected or a flooring choice that clashes with existing decor.
Howe adds, "[Hover is] trusted by pros and free for consumers, we enable actionable inspiration by letting users virtually test out real materials and paint colors."
She goes on to explain that companies like Realtor.com are now able to plug into Hover's technology and help homeowners explore their home’s potential. As the leader in residential 3D property data, we love being able to utilize existing real estate assets as well as new images to reinvision a home indoors and out.
