According to a survey conducted by RE/MAX the majority of homeowners would rather remodel than relocate. Most homeowners say their primary reason for renovating is their genuine love for their home, but the desire to enhance future resale value runs a close second. Many homeowners are smart and understand that it is a buyers market out there. That means, great news if you need a house but not so great news if you have one to sell. So, many are opting to “stay put” and make a few home improvement investments.

Let’s talk about a few smart ones that will definitely  increase your resale value and ultimately, help sell your home, one day! First up, kitchens and bathrooms are big! If you have problems in these important rooms, fix them! They are definitely up there when it comes to buyer turn offs. New energy efficient vinyl siding and new windows will also go extremely far with buyers. Plus, you will recoup a great deal of your investment back.

Another area that can really turn buyers off and kill a sale is a bad roof. Whether you are buying or selling a home, a good roof can help you and a bad roof can hurt you.  A great kitchen is important but basics such as the foundation and roof need to also be in tip top shape. If you have loose shingles or other problems you need to make the investment and fix your roof. Keep in mind that while a traditional asphalt roof will last you an average of 10-15 years, a metal roof is probably the last roof you’ll ever need! More and more homeowners are going this route because they like the fact that they won’t have to worry about their roof no matter how crazy the weather is. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why metal roofing is becoming the new “go to” roof for homeowners and business owners!

Does your old, out of date bathroom need a makeover? If your ready to give your bathroom a makeover but don’t want to shell out a bunch of money, we’ve got some great ideas! If your budget is about $150, you can do a lot! Go out and buy paint, vanity hardware, towel and toilet paper storage, and accessories.

First take a look at the bones of your space. Molding, flooring and plumbing tend to be quite expensive to replace, so try to live with them. A bath with innate personality (yes your funky tile) will be showcased best by the addition of subtle accessories. A basic bath, with lets say, a black and white pattern or a simple limestone, requires more eye-popping accessories such as apple green or red walls.

Your sink faucet is another area you can easily update without breaking the bank. For a more consistent look, choose a faucet ($120 to $500) in the same metal that was used for the cabinet hardware It’s easy to overspend on sinks and toilets, so try and spend modestly on the toilet ($190 to $400) and splurge on your sink area.

Wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way. Bold prints, ethnically inspired designs and an array of grass cloths make wallpaper a bathroom luxury that far surpasses even the best paint job. However, the labor can get costly, so try to hang it yourself (if you are handy) or find a friend in the business who is willing to install it for $15 to $20 a roll. Good luck and remember, a beautiful bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

The bathroom is the new den, man cave, or mom cave! More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax and even luxuriate after a day in the rush-rush world. Homeowners are upgrading the rooms, outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors. But peace and quiet aren’t the only motivating factors. An upgraded bathroom helps sell a home and is a great investment.

One trend that is becoming big when remodeling a bathroom, is the shower. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it’s getting more airy, with much more glass. They want to feel like they’re going into a spa. Homeowners want to feel like they are on vacation all year round.

Noisy jacuzzi’s are also being replaced by soaking tubs. These jet-less tubs are often deep, insulated tubs. Notably missing: the huge amount of decking that typically surrounded many tubs installed in nicer homes in the ’80s and ’90s. Top designers say the master bathrooms are more than just bathrooms, they’re becoming sanctuaries. People want master bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than before.

That means adding windows and even skylights to a bathroom. Another big trend in the bathroom scene is steam. People are discovering how wonderful it is to come home at the end of the day and de-stress.

If you are sick and tired of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets you are definitely not alone! Many homeowners “live” with their cabinets for years and years because they simply don’t know how to change them without having then ripped out and starting fresh. Well, I want you to know that you don’t have to “live” with ugly, old looking cabinets any longer. You also don’t have to spend thousands of dollars having them ripped out and having new ones installed. All you have to do is buy some paint and supplies, and roll up your sleeves. Exerting a little time, energy, elbow grease, and about $50 is really all your need to transform your cabinets into the focal point of your space.

The first thing that you need to do is de-gloss the cabinets or no paint is going to get good adhesion. Don’t skip this step, it is vital to getting a good result! Once the prep work is done (the most important part) then it’s up to the look you want. A brush is always going to result in a brush stroke look while a roller will give you a more even finish. If you have a raised panel door you would need a brush to get into the nooks and crannies and then you could finish with a roller. A sprayer will give you the most even finish.

Take the handles off the doors and string them up through the handle hole. Then spray. This will give you the best look (just be careful the spray paint doesn’t run). Purchase some new hardware and once everything is dry, start screwing them in. If you don’t skip any steps and take your time, you will love the final results. Plus, you can brag to your friends that you did it yourself!