How handy are you, and how much time do you want to spend? I can think of quite a few things - knocking out a (non weight bearing) wall to make two small rooms into one large open room (thinking kitchen/dining or unused storage room to enlarge a bath), refronting old kitchen cabinets - there are the cosmetic, then the things like electrical - old wiring isn't ever good. You've always got to watch the expenditure vs return factor, but if you're handy, it seems there would be quite a few things. Removing carpets to uncover hardwood floors, then refinishing the hardwood floors, etc. etc. Just some ideas - I'm not a carpenter - just a person who loves to constantly update things....

Deb Salkeld - Diversified Data Solutions, L.L.C. Your Virtual Partner.

Hey, Caleb!

Kitchen remodeling is the number one equity builder interior-wise. Aside from that, what energy sources does the house have? Do you have a fireplace? How about a nice gas insert?

Go to PillartoPost.com and read their list of home improvements and what value they add.  They handed out a superb list at NAR convention this year.

I agree with Rich. Start with the kitchen then heating.

Shawn

Kitchens return almost the full investment, carpeting exceeds its cost and bathrooms are the only other thing that contributes. The rest is your personal desire, but don't pick red carpet because its your favorite color.

Thanks for all of the idea's and tips.  I am working on getting the basement (which is actually ground level) finished.  I live in a raised ranch (I've heard it called this) or a split entry, I've heard it called both, with just two levels and the garage being under the bedrooms.  The house is only 8 years old and I don't really have any walls that I could knock out because of needing them for bedrooms.  The kitchen/dinning room and living room are all together and very open with vaulted ceilings.  I like the idea of redoing the kitchen because I don't like the counters as well as the sink.  As far as the fireplace goes, I don't know if you can add one on the second story because of the style of house that I have.  I guess that it could be done.  I don't have any hardwood floors under the carpet, but we replaced the carpet when we moved in two years ago.  Thanks for the red carpet tip, we replaced this horrible mauve carpet that was in two of the bedrooms with a neutral frieze (sp?).  I have a gas furnace and water heater.  I've thought about getting more energy efficient windows put in, do those help enough with resell value to make them worth while?  Thanks again for all your help and for the website I bookmarked it and will check it out later.

PS.  Here is a link to another blog that my dad wrote and he was wanting any idea's/tips with helping renters to become buys and creating a website to that effect.  Here is the Link:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/20689/Hey-AR-community-let

Hey Caleb, when you reference a link in your blogs or comments, make sure to actually 'imbed" the link into the text. In this instance, you would highlight the link you've provided, http://activerain.com/blogsview/20689/Hey-AR-community-let, and then highlight it, click on the chain link up above and enter the associated URL. Just a tip!

Rich,

         Thanks, I am new to this, I thought that it would do it automatically, and didn't realize that it didn't.  Thanks for your help.