With the economy and housing market struggling to get back on the upswing, the idea of home ownership has changed. Rather than selling and jumping from home to home, more people are putting time and effort into home improvements. There are certain improvements you can make to your home that will make it more worthwhile when the time to sell does come. If you are willing to put in some time and sweat, you can save yourself some serious cash and turn your home into the hottest commodity on the block.

One of the best places to start when thinking about doing home improvements is in the kitchen. Renovating or updating your existing kitchen will get you one of the biggest returns on your investment – up to 80% in some areas. To get a good return, you don’t have to completely redo your entire kitchen. Some well thought out, current updates can have a huge impact. A very simple way to update your kitchen is to replace the hardware on your cabinets. Do some serious cleaning on your cabinet faces, even refinish them or paint them if necessary. Choose some up-to-date hardware and then stand back. Another change with big results is new countertops. Granite is still the most popular choice but there are many other affordable options as well.

The second most valuable improvement you can make to your home is in the bathrooms. Having a functional, current bathroom can bring you up to a 75% return on your money. Update all of your functional pieces with a modern shower, toilet and a vanity with plenty of storage. Find a fantastic faucet and shower head to make a big impact for a little cash. Accessorize with plush linens and soothing candles. Choose easy to clean surfaces and even go with a dark colored grout to hide dirt and grime. When deciding on color, go with light, more neutral colors on the walls and infuse the space with color through your accessories. You want the room to be relaxing, not overwhelming.

Two other valuable home improvements are replacing old windows and adding a deck or a patio. While windows may not be as exciting as a new kitchen, they are super important. New, energy efficient windows can save you and any future homeowners a lot of money on energy bills. This can be a very enticing amenity to interested buyers. A deck or a patio can bring you up to an 80% return on your investment. A lot of homeowners nowadays are looking for an outdoor extension of the house, especially in climates with a longer outdoor season. A simple stone patio with room for a grill, furniture and maybe even a fire pit can not only bring you and your family many nights of enjoyment but put your home at the top of buyer’s minds when it comes time to sell.

Finally, if you are one of the many homeowners with a dark, dreary basement, turn it into another room! Finishing a basement can bring a 70% return on your investment and make your entire home feel brand new. A finished basement can be a great place to create a mini movie theater or game room. Another great option for a finished basement is to add a guest bedroom. You can’t go wrong in finishing a basement if you add a bathroom, even just a half bath. This will add so much value to your home and pique the interest in your home at selling time. And, who could argue with having a personal retreat for your family that feels miles away from the rest of your home!

Author Bio: Keith Smallwood is the president of Creative Energy Exteriors, a leading provider of Richmond home improvement services and products such as Richmond Infinity from Marvin windows and Richmond ProVia doors. Creative Energy Exteriors can be found online at: CreativeEnergyExteriors.com .

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home improvements, home improvements,doing home improvements,valuable home improvement