We all have a “to do” list when it comes to home renovation projects. The key to investing in your home is doing it wisely, making sure you recoup at least some of the cost upon the sale of your home. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Remodeling Magazine recently released their 2012 Remodeling Cost Vs. Value Report, and the findings show you don’t have to spend a ton of money to add to your home’s resale value.

Exterior renovations dominated the list of cost-effective projects. This year’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report shows the value of putting your home’s best facade forward. Exterior replacement projects are not only crucial to a home’s regular upkeep, but are also expected to recoup close to 70 percent of costs.

If you want to recoup about 78% of your investment, high quality siding is the way to go. Siding replacement is already part of long-term home maintenance, so go for the good stuff and reap the rewards upon the sale of your home.

Replacing your current entry door with a strong steel door pays for itself in more than one way. You see more than 70 percent of your cost returned, and you will know you and your family are safer than you would be with a flimsy wooden exterior door.

Next up, replace your garage door. You can expect a good return when you replace your old garage door with an upscale or mid-range model. Also, you can’t ignore your old, leaky windows forever. As with many of the projects on this list, window replacement is part of long-term home maintenance for many people. By replacing your old windows with newer vinyl models, you’ll recoup some of your cost and save yourself money on utility bills over time.

Lastly, local realtors say, nothing turns a buyers off more than an old, falling apart, asphalt roof. More and more homeowners are making the switch to a metal roof because they last three times as long, and they are energy efficient. Erie Construction, of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you why many homeowners are reaping the rewards of metal.