| The first question you need to ask yourself is whether | | | | similar homes in your area. |
| you are planning to move in the short-term, in two to | | | | People sometimes tend to think on a grand scale |
| four years. If the answer is yes, then you may not | | | | when considering home improvements. If you are |
| be in the house for the time required to get the return | | | | only thinking in this manner, you may omit things that |
| on investment that would make a major improvement | | | | really make a difference. If you are thinking about the |
| pay off. | | | | cooling system, then perhaps you can start with some |
| If you are thinking of a major improvement or | | | | well-placed ceiling fans that will ventilate the house and |
| renovation, the two that have the largest return on | | | | move cool air around. Take a look at your doors and |
| investment or ROI are kitchens and bathrooms. | | | | door fixtures to see how they look to others. It may |
| Kitchen renovations or improvements can cost | | | | be time to replace old doors or perhaps give them a |
| upwards of $20,000.00, but your ROI will be around | | | | new look with some sandpaper and varnish or stain. |
| 75% or more. A bathroom improvement or | | | | You can also do things such as some landscaping to |
| renovation can get you an ROI around 80% or more. | | | | give the front of your home a better look. Plant |
| Adding a second bathroom to your home is always a | | | | some flowers, shrubs and perhaps even some herbs |
| good idea because it is more difficult to sell a home | | | | that will give your yard a pleasant smell, but do not go |
| with only one bathroom, especially if comparable | | | | overboard on the herbs. If the smell is too strong, it |
| homes in your area have two bathrooms. | | | | can be unpleasant to people who are not accustomed |
| The above figures come with a word of caution | | | | to them. You will be giving your front yard a nice look |
| because the value of your home will depend on the | | | | and a pleasant smell and people will enjoy pulling up to |
| fair market value of similar homes in your area. The | | | | your house. |
| value will also depend on the market where you live | | | | By the way, if you cannot see the back fence from a |
| and on the specific market area where your home is | | | | rear window because of all the mess in your |
| located. You will have to look into fair market value | | | | backyard, get rid of it! Do some landscaping in the |
| to see whether a new kitchen or bathroom are such a | | | | backyard by getting rid of the weeds, checking the |
| good idea in the first place. | | | | gutters and downspouts and repairing any damage to |
| There are other good home improvements like building | | | | your fence. These are all things do not include a |
| a patio or a new deck, upgrading the air conditioning | | | | major financial investment and may be done on your |
| and/or heating system and perhaps even adding a | | | | spare time. You may be pleasantly surprised at the |
| fireplace. However, you would once again have to | | | | value of your home when it comes time to sell it and it |
| consider ROI when your house is compared to other | | | | is looking its best. |