Upgrading your home to today's standards is also a great way to increase the value of your home. Upgrades can be as subtle as appliances, to completely overhauling kitchens and bathrooms.

General maintenance is a great way to help increase your homes value. If you keep things in normal working order this will prevent your home from decreasing in value.

Here's something that very few people think of as a way to not only increase the value of their home but of all of the homes in their community. Ask any Real Estate agent what one thing makes a certain neighborhood more desirable and costly. There are of course many things but here is one they will all tell you: schools. In the county that I live in there is one area where the homes consistantly sell for 15 to 20% higher than similar homes in other areas and it is solely because of a very high ranking school district in that area. What can you do? Get yourself and your neighbors involved with your local school boards. Put pressure on your local and state political forces to demand the best public schools possible. Many homeowners who do not have school aged children do not think they need to be concerned with schools but if you enjoy high property values you have a reason.

When it comes to new home upgrades, there are thousands of options. That's why choosing upgrades can be a daunting task for home buyers as they try to put their own personal style into their new home and at the same time maximize its appeal for resale.

Whatever the motive, some experts say that real wood finishes are one of the best options for personalizing your space and creating a showplace that will stand out when it comes time to sell the home.

All home improvements are not created equal.
Knowing the difference between "increasing your homes resale value" and "increasing the marketability of your home" is very important. Before you spend a significant amount of money improving or upgrading your home you need to ask yourself what your desired result are. If the result of your efforts is to sell your home fast in the near future then spend your money on cosmetic improvements. This can include adding "curb appeal" to your property, fresh exterior paint, a new front door, walkway or landscaping. Interior improvements may consist of updating the color scheme of a bathroom or kitchen, or tearing up old carpeting to reveal wood floors. Consult with a real estate agent several months before you decide to sell you home to find out what buyers are looking for.

Any improvement that results in a higher home value than the cost of the improvement is a sound investment. Traditionally, a fresh coat of paint and an updated kitchen have been the best ways to increase the value of the home. Recently, quality hardwood floors have also been sought after by potential home buyers.

When improving your kitchen one of the hottest trends right now is laying tile. This is something that can be with very little cost but it is one of the most sought after floorings on the market.

If you are thinking about installing a pool it's not wise to base that decision on increasing your home value. A pool actually does very little to the value of your home and may even deter some people from buying due to maintenance issues.

One great way to increase the value of your home is to add square footage. The next way is to remodel the kitchen.

You may be able to finance these projects using a renovation or a rehabilitation loan. Ask your loan professional about available programs today.

A new exterior paint job will also increase the value of your home. Paint jobs on large homes can cost anywhere from $4,000-$12,000. Not only will the paint make your home look more new, but it will also protect the wood. If you are thinking about selling your home, you should also consider a new paint job. Your home will probably sell faster, because of the added "curb appeal."

If you are planning on selling your house now or in the near term, your money is best spent on repairs to items showing significant wear or damage and to cosmetic improvements, such as painting, cleaning the driveway, caulking, replacing torn screens.
If you plan on being in your home for several years, adding a bathroom, upgrading the kitchen or finishing the basement have the best return on the dollar. However, the enjoyment you get from an upgrade such as a large deck or a hot tub, should also be taken into consideration