Home Improvement

BJ's Journal suggested 9 ways to invest in your home that make sense both for improving the value of your house as well as increasing energy efficiency:

• basement finishing -- increases home's livable square footage


• bathroom revitalization -- you may recoup 75% of the expense when you sell


• exterior coatings -- reduces annual cooling costs substantially


• hardwood flooring -- increases home's resale value


• roofing replacement -- reduces maintenance costs long-term and increases outside look


• siding -- offers up to an 87% return on investment


• sunrooms -- adds greater value for resale plus more livable square footage


• windows -- improves energy efficiency and saves on utility expenses