In our current real estate market, more and more homeowners are opting to “stay put” and make improvements to their homes. With that being said,  it’s important to pick home improvement projects that add value to the property. With real estate prices still in flux, value-adding projects make more sense than pleasure projects that may actually take away from the home’s overall worth.

A can of paint does not cost much more than about $30. Yet Kiplinger reports that a home with freshly painted walls provides home sellers with a hefty ROI. (Return on investment) If money is tight, make this your one top project for next year. Of course, take care not to go overboard with outlandish color schemes that are unlikely to net you a sizable return.

A steel front door is an upgrade buyers look for. It adds not only safety but also a lot of curb appeal to your home’s facade. Old-fashioned steel is still the material of choice. Fiberglass, although typically much more expensive, only nets you a 65% ROI.

When was the last time you checked on your insulation? If you live in an older home, the original insulation may no longer be in keeping with the guidelines. Adding insulation offers a full return.

Home Improvement experts also say that a kitchen remodel features an 88% ROI. Pricing the average kitchen remodel at $8,655, it makes sense to upgrade cabinets, appliances, window treatments and paint. With an average bathroom remodel cost of $9,135, the ROI is nearly that of a kitchen remodel.

Local realtors say, residential roofing is another area that can ultimately be a “deal breaker.” If your roof is in bad shape it’s a good idea to go ahead and replace it. If not, expect a low ball offer that could be $20-$30,000 under asking price. Metal roofing is also picking up steam because potential buyers know it lasts three times that of a traditional roof and that it is extremely energy efficient. Erie Construction, of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why metal will one day dominate the industry!

When it comes to a new roof, we all want the same thing. A roof that’s not too expensive, requires no maintenance, and lasts forever. But when it comes to residential roofing, most roofs are replaced, or at least repaired, every ten years. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

Slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have life spans of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Because of this, many homeowners are switching to metal and never looking back. Local realtors say, buyers know metal lasts a long time and are attracted to homes with these types of roofs. Even though another asphalt shingle roof may seem like a steal per-square foot, when you account for energy inefficiency and the replacement costs in another 15 years, going with a more durable, longer-lasting roof can be a better financial decision as well as more environmentally sound.

Metal roofs are fast becoming a popular option both in commercial and residential roofing properties. They are durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. They are also energy efficient; metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985 showed that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills.

As with any larger roofing project, finding a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor for the job is essential. Whatever you do, make sure you find a pre-screened, certified roofer today. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love a chance to come out, give you a free estimate and show you why many homeowners are switching to metal and loving their decision.

Before you start house hunting , home improvement experts say you really need to understand what exterior style of home you love. Knowing this, will definitely help you when it comes time to purchase your next home. No matter what style appeals to you, make sure the home is an energy efficient home. If not, plan on shelling out big bucks on heating and cooling bills. Two big areas to watch for are updated windows and a newer roof. There are many styles to choose from.

First up, the Colonial. Some of the first homes were built by English colonists. They feature a step roof line; wood clapboard siding or wood shingled siding and multi pane double hung windows.

The Cape Cod is definitely a favorite of many. The Georgian Colonial is the one that is most common today. They have a very rectangular, symmetrical and formal style to them. Typically, they are made of brick, but up north, wood siding is popular.

Bungalows are also popular. They have one and half stories, low pitched roofs and a horizontal shape. They’re known for having an extremely efficient floor plan.

Ranch styles became *the* style around 1945 when World War 11 ended and the soldiers came home. Developers bought huge tracts of land because soldiers needed homes. They built them very simplistically and very affordable.

If none of these styles work for you, you may want to take a look at modern contemporary homes. Or “neo-eclectic” homes. These are large homes that borrow styles from many different styles of homes. No matter which style of home you pick, choosing an energy efficient home is always an appealing style. Look for an energy efficient roof. Many homeowners are even going metal, and choosing a metal roof. They last three times as long as a traditional asphalt roof, and they are known for being green and extremely energy efficient. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to come out and show you why metal will save you energy dollars!

We all have a “to do” list when it comes to home renovation projects. The key to investing in your home is doing it wisely, making sure you recoup at least some of the cost upon the sale of your home. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Remodeling Magazine recently released their 2012 Remodeling Cost Vs. Value Report, and the findings show you don’t have to spend a ton of money to add to your home’s resale value.

Exterior renovations dominated the list of cost-effective projects. This year’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report shows the value of putting your home’s best facade forward. Exterior replacement projects are not only crucial to a home’s regular upkeep, but are also expected to recoup close to 70 percent of costs.

If you want to recoup about 78% of your investment, high quality siding is the way to go. Siding replacement is already part of long-term home maintenance, so go for the good stuff and reap the rewards upon the sale of your home.

Replacing your current entry door with a strong steel door pays for itself in more than one way. You see more than 70 percent of your cost returned, and you will know you and your family are safer than you would be with a flimsy wooden exterior door.

Next up, replace your garage door. You can expect a good return when you replace your old garage door with an upscale or mid-range model. Also, you can’t ignore your old, leaky windows forever. As with many of the projects on this list, window replacement is part of long-term home maintenance for many people. By replacing your old windows with newer vinyl models, you’ll recoup some of your cost and save yourself money on utility bills over time.

Lastly, local realtors say, nothing turns a buyers off more than an old, falling apart, asphalt roof. More and more homeowners are making the switch to a metal roof because they last three times as long, and they are energy efficient. Erie Construction, of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you why many homeowners are reaping the rewards of metal.

So we all know that our current housing market is definitely a buyers market. But the big question is: Do buyers want fixer uppers or homes that are move in ready? Local realtors say, the majority want homes that will require light cosmetic repairs. Buyers who gravitate toward fixers are those who either don’t qualify to buy a more expensive home or those who want to make a profit by fixing the home themselves. Most fixer buyers are willing to do simple repairs such as paint the walls, put in new carpeting or replace light fixtures. They typically don’t want to rebuild a foundation or move walls, or deal with residential roofing problems. This means that sellers need to make sure their roofs will not only pass inspection but that they are solidly constructed and newer, rather than older. Realtors say, buyers also love it when they look at a home with a metal roof because they know it means they won’t have to mess with it. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana has been helping homeowners make the switch from asphalt to metal for years, and would love to show you all the pros of metal.

If you have an old roof that needs repairs, keep in mind that fixer-upper buyers will discount the price of the home to allow for the repairs and, for the inconvenience, a bit more. Say, a home is worth $100,000 fixed up, but it needs a new roof. A new roof might cost $10,000. A buyer most likely will not offer $90,000 for this home. Otherwise, they could buy an identical home with a new roof for $100,000 and not have the hassle. A buyer for this type of home might offer $75,000, or even less. In this scenario, a seller would be smarter to pay for a new roof and sell the home for $100,000.