As a homeowner, you know that spending the time, effort, and money to maintain and modernize your house is crucial to maintaining its value over the long term. However, the list of potential upgrades you could make to your home are not all equal: some home renovations will help boost the value of your house more than others. We took the liberty of compiling a list of some of the best renovations you can make below. Here are seven home renovations with some of the highest returns in the housing market.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the very heart of any home, so it should come as no surprise that this renovation is at the top of our list. For many buyers, the appearance and functionality of the kitchen can be the make-or-break point when considering a new home. However, this is not to say put all of your renovation budget into your kitchen: the amount of money you spend in this room needs to be carefully researched and considered. If you plan on making this house your home for years to come, it might be in your best interest to rip out the dated laminate countertops and spring for something more modern. However, if you plan to sell relatively quickly after your renovations, something more moderate and cost-effective may be in your best interest. These renovations should be both functional and trendy to best raise the value of your home.

Home Maintenance

While a stylish kitchen can do wonders for the interior flair of your home, granite countertops aren’t going to do anybody any good if the ceiling is leaking.  People are quick to assume that the basic systems of your home are functional, that your ceiling won’t leak and that the air conditioning works like a charm. As a result, it should be every homeowner’s first priority to make sure that their house is structurally sound. It doesn’t matter how luxurious your kitchen or bath is, if your basement smells like rotting wood, prospective buyers will lose interest. Once the basics have been taken care of, then you are free to spring for the more high-profile renovations.

Bathroom

A house’s bathroom comes in just behind the kitchen in terms of eye-catching renovations. For many buyers, having a comfortable space to prepare themselves for the world each morning can be a massive consideration in house-hunting. However, a master bath with a massive walk-in shower and heated floors isn’t guaranteed to catch a buyer’s attention. It is important to consider not only the quality of the bathrooms, but also the quantity. A family of four might think twice on purchasing your home if they all have to share one bathroom. Which brings us to our next renovation…

More Space

The size of a house is a massive aspect to that property’s value. According to a study from the National Association of Realtors, every 1,000 square feet added to a home boosts the sale price by more than 30 percent. Nobody wants to be without enough space, or to live in cramped conditions. So, in considering your list of possible home improvements to make, springing for a back patio, a sunroom, or an extra bedroom or two can really go a long way to raising the value of your home.

Curb Appeal

Even in hot housing markets, if people aren’t impressed by the way your house looks externally, they’re not going to want to come inside. Making sure your home has strong curb appeal can go a long way to bringing buyers in. Adding a front porch, redoing your siding, or even some simple landscaping of your yard can transform your house to a home, and lure in prospective buyers with its welcoming and comfortable look.

Entryway

The entryway is where buyers will make the first-impression of your home’s interior, so as such, it can be a critical area to consider improving when you make your list of renovations. Even simply painting your front door a welcoming color can brighten the mood of your home (and further bolster that curb appeal). Be sure to address the walkway too, if need be. Replacing cracked stones or planting shrubs can be a quick, easy, and effective way to boost your home’s value.

Bells and Whistles

For some homeowners, a house is more of a dream-come-true than it is an investment. For such buyers, helping to realize this dream with a home theater or a wine cellar can go a long way for the value of your home. While these rooms are large investments, in the age of Netflix and other streaming services, the demand for home theaters has never been higher. These larger investments are something that should be carefully considered, but also stand to net you a nice return upon selling the home.

You always have to keep an eye on home values in your area too. You don’t want to make so many improvements to your home that you don’t realize the full value back when you do end up selling it.

Home renovations can be a lucrative endeavor that will help raise the value of your home and net you a good return, but these renovations obviously require an initial investment. Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC’s) are a fantastic way to use the equity you are building in your home to your advantage. These options can give you the financial footing you need to start renovations, either for building your dream home, or another’s.