According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2017 Remodeling Impact Report remodeling a kitchen pays the highest return for homeowners when the home is sold: 62 percent nationwide and a whopping 106.1 percent in San Francisco and 105.7 percent in San Jose.

The average kitchen remodel in the U.S. costs approximately $65,000.

Kitchen remodels/upgrades appeal the most to prospective homebuyers. More than half of real estate professionals have advised clients to renovate their kitchens before putting their house up for sale.

Houzz’s 2017 Kitchen Trends Survey reveals that one-third of those responding said they’re now leading a healthier lifestyle since remodeling their kitchens.

The reasons cited were pretty simple: those with remodeled kitchens tended to cook more meals at home and ordered less takeout food. 75 percent responded that they cook at home more than 5 nights a week and 50 percent said they now spend more time with family. They also said they are now eating more fruits and vegetables.

88 percent of those survey hired a professional to do the work with the majority of projects falling within a $25,000 to $50,000 price range.

A recent Home Innovation Research Labs’ 2016 Builder Practices Study shows that nearly 66 percent of all respondents spend up to three hours a day in the kitchen, often using it as a space to socialize to entertain so it’s not surprising that they’re very particular about what goes into that room.

When it comes to appliances, stoves and dishwashers lead the way as necessities with 97 and 92 percent respectively while microwaves and garbage disposals follow closely in 84 percent of homes.

A Houzz survey found that the kitchen was the most popular home-remodeling job in 2015, with 70 percent choosing to update the countertops. On average, a major overhaul of a large kitchen cost more than $50,000.