Cost vs. Value

Remodeling -- while driven by your own tastes -- also has a lot to do with keeping up with the Joneses. In other words, how much you recoup essentially depends on what your neighbors value. For instance, the "Cost vs. Value" study found that a major kitchen remodeling project pays off least in the Midwest, where homeowners recoup just 71 percent of what they spend on the project. Compare that to the East, where homeowners generally can add 84 percent of what they spend onto the sale price of their home.

Keep in mind how your community might be changing before undergoing any major renovations, Hanby-Robie suggests. Middle-aged or older homebuyers are generally willing to pay a premium for good kitchens or a beautiful first-floor master suite. Younger homebuyers, she says, are more concerned that there are enough bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kid-friendly yard.

Also, don't pay for renovations you don't need. The trend in kitchens has been to install commercial appliances. But if you're not a gourmet cook, you won't see much benefit. And if your potential homebuyers aren't gourmet cooks, they won't be willing to pay extra for your fashion choice.

"When re-doing a kitchen that's 25 years old, you can usually lay it out better," suggests Len Robinson, a residential contractor based in Woodland Hills, CA and co-author of The Consumer's Guide to Remodeling and Construction. "Make it easier to navigate, but don't make silly superficial changes."

The same goes for the outside of your home, as well. Even big projects such as a new roof, siding, or windows won't necessarily pay off -- many external projects are viewed as maintenance, not renovation. Anything that's seen as simply keeping the elements from reaching the interior won't add much resale value to your home. Meanwhile, anything you do that's purely cosmetic -- unless it's completely in keeping with both the style of the home and the neighborhood -- could end up costing you a sale. Siding, for instance, is quite pricey to replace, and if prospective owners don't agree with your taste, they're likely to pass on the home entirely, according to Hanby-Robie.

Somewhat surprisingly, the "Cost vs. Value" survey found that -- of the 16 projects evaluated -- adding a home office contributed the least to a home's resale value. But while the study found that homeowners recoup an average of 54 percent of the $10,526 it costs to structure a home office, realtors say that figure seems way too low. "I usually see people recouping 100 percent of what they spend on a home office," Hanby-Robie says.

The bottom line: Spend money on what you need, but if you're thinking of selling, keep an eye out for who's buying.