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Improving your home’s resale value is actually easier than you think. While there are quite a few ways to do it, you can avoid costly investments and improve your ROI by intelligently going about your project. For example, several studies have shown that basic maintenance work, such as exterior repainting and roof repair, are often considered more important than a tricked out bathroom or kitchen. In this article, we intend to help you figure out which renovations and improvements pay off, so that you’ll have some extra dollars in your pocket once you decide to sell. Basic maintenance Think about this from the buyer’s perspective. What’s the point of having a luxurious, but poorly maintained home? That’s just downright impractical! Remember that, for most buyers, a leaky roof is a much more important issue than a dated bathroom. After all, a new kitchen is likely to lose a lot of appeal if there’s serious water damage in the basement. A recent study has even concluded that typical buyers are more likely to consider upgrading the luxuries themselves, rather than spending a lot of money to repair the basic systems of a new home. Bottom line – As long as your rooms are fully functional and well-maintained, chances are that you’ll get the buyer’s attention. Improved kitchen and bath The kitchen and bath are the most expensive parts of your home when it comes to construction costs. Most experts also believe these areas to be prime indicators of whether or not the money on improvements has been well spent. If you plan to renovate your kitchen or bath, we recommend that you stick with more contemporary styles, seeing as this will more likely please the majority of your potential buyers. Stone countertops, natural wood floors and cabinets, and commercial-looking appliances are just some of the options you should consider. Good curb appeal As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If potential buyers pass by your home and are not initially wowed by it, chances are that they won’t even bother walking inside. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to significantly improve your curb appeal. For example, you can add a front porch or patio, repaint your exterior and upgrade to more stylish doors and windows. If you’re not planning to stay in your house permanently, it’s also highly recommended that you invest in gardening and landscaping early on. Several studies have shown that homes with lush gardens, green lawns, and beautiful landscaping have a much higher resale value than those without them. http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/10-tips-to-increase-your-homes-value http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/which-home-improvements-pay-off http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3189463/list/10-ways-to-boost-your-homes-resale-value http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20247552,00.html