1. Curb Appeal

This is the first impression your home makes on any visitor. In the real estate industry it's often referred to as "curb appeal" because many prospective buyers won't even get out of the car to look inside if they don't like your home from the curb. Your home can have the same effect on your visitors; So, take a good hard look at your home from your curb: does your home feel welcoming? Is it a place that makes you want to come inside?

Here are a few other questions to consider:

• Is your house clean?

• Is your roof in good shape?

• Are your driveway and walkways cracked and dingy?

• Does the landscaping date your house?

• Are your windows and burglar bars in good condition?

• What does your front door look like?

• Is your entrance welcoming and clutter-free?

If you can only afford to do one or two small things ... paint the house. And perhaps replace the front door. Replacing the old door with a newer model of the same size will save you the cost of resizing the opening, and still give you a lot of bang for your buck. A very old front door often detracts from the home due to very noticeable wear and tear.

2. Kitchen

A kitchen is generally the first thing prospective homeowners look at and for good reason. Today's kitchen is the life of the home, often serving as a dining area, office, entertaining and gathering place. With so many important functions, the kitchen should be one of the most welcoming rooms in the house.

Here are a few factors to consider:

• Are your appliances all up-to-date and in good working shape?

• Do your kitchen cabinets complement or detract from the room?

• Would a fresh coat of paint revive the room?

• Are your countertops in good shape and clutter-free?

• Is your flooring chipped or otherwise in need of repair?

If you can only do one thing ... Update your kitchen cabinets.
Your cabinets generally set the tone for the kitchen; so with this one project you can instantly revitalize the room. If you can't afford to replace all of the cabinets, consider a more affordable option: Stain or paint them a new colour or reface them with new cabinet doors.

3. Bathrooms
Bathrooms are the smallest space in your home, yet they usually get the most visitors. It only makes sense to ensure that this space, repeatedly used by both you and your guests, is a welcoming environment. Fortunately, due to its small space, the bathroom is probably the easiest room in your house to update. But, because of the high cost of bathromm fittings it can however become very, very expensive.

Some factors to consider when examining your bathroom:

• Does your flooring look dingy or is it in need of repair?

• Is there suitable lighting?

• Is there enough storage space?

• Are your bathroom cabinets in good shape?

• Do your bathroom fixtures date the room?

• Is the environment relaxing?

Many people find that a garage offers the perfect environment to house their home office, studio space, exercise room, a recreation room or workshop. As many garages are attached or near the home, they can often be easily fitted with the same comforts a home has: heating and cooling, phone wiring, even plumbing.

Transforming your garage doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your storage area. Many garages today have become multifunctional, allowing for cars, general storage, and a home office or workshop all in the same space. And you can of course protect your vehicles with a shadeport or carport, which are both very inexpensive. (To learn a bit about shade- or carports click here)

And, if you find you will be losing too much storage space in your garage, consider building a small storage shed in your yard to house tools, sporting equipment and seasonal items. A building separate from the house will expand your storage space, allowing you to use the garage in ways that you could not use a shed: electricity or heating, for example.

In addition to remodeling your current garage space, you could also consider an addition above the garage. Raising the roof and adding a room for work space above your existing garage can give you additional space, not to mention increase the value of a home, without changing the floor plan.

When doing alterations the remodeling possibilities are limited only by your imagination. But remember, the space in your home is yours – you don't always need to use it in the way it was originally intended. In fact, you're not taking full advantage of your home if you're not living in it the way that best suits you.