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With home prices tanking over the past few years because of the virtual collapse of the real estate and banking industries, many homeowners have seen their homes take hits of 20% or more. And these are homes that are in excellent condition. For other homes that need some repairs, no matter how big or small, decreases in value are even more severe.

Instead of watching your home depreciate on a daily basis, take the time to do some affordable home improvement and home remodeling projects. Making sure your home is in good condition and not obsolete doesn't need to cost thousands of dollars, especially if you can handle the smaller projects as they arise.

In the past, most homeowners would just get a home equity loan, but since these are about as old fashioned as water pump in the kitchen, less expensive projects are usually taken on as the occur.

The external appearance of your home has a lot to do with how people feel about your home.

If the outside is in desperate need of a coat of paint and some serious lawn work, it won't matter how nice the inside looks. People might pull up, glance around, and leave without even seeing the beautiful antique tin ceiling in the dining room or the new counters you put in the kitchen. Exterior painting can usually be handled on your own if your home is of average size. Certainly a ranch and many split levels won't pose much of a problem since the tools needed such as a ladder and long paint rollers are easily acquired. However, multiple storied homes need staging, huge ladders and even power cleaners and sprayers.

These jobs are best left to the prose. Bathrooms can present some design issues as well but these can be handled easily with a bit of research and maybe some classes or a how to book from your local hardware store or library. Tile work does need an experienced hand, and mistakes can't be corrected easily unless done right away.

If you want tile taken down and/or put up, make sure you either pay for a professional. To really reduce costs, just take down the old tile, repair the wall, and paint. Simple landscaping improvements can add thousands in value. A few bushes, some colorful plants, some edging around the walkway and maybe new mulch can turn boring and dirty into eye catching. Add some new bushes, loam, sod, or even mulch and crushed stone outside and give your yard the curb appeal it needs. This is where your money will give you some of the biggest returns. Something as simple installing new faucets and adding a coat of pain in the kitchen and baths can turn dingy to beautiful.
Don't have time or cash for the necessary home improvement and home remodeling projects? Check out our fantastic improvement and remodeling guide for the inside skinny!

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