Periodic Checklists- Proper upkeep of your home is essential to its longevity. And unless you're willing to hire experts for every changing season, the responsibility lies with you. To help you get started, we've compiled checklists detailing the when, where and how's of seasonal maintenance.

Some renovation projects payoff more than others. Studies show that as in one small bathroom increases a home's value more that building a new bedroom.

Which home projects will help you command a higher price? Consider where you live, comparable homes in your neighborhood and where local property values are heading. According to a nationwide study by Remodeling magazine home owners can sometimes recover 100% of renovation expenses in the form of higher home prices.

Appraisers and Realtors agree that a new kitchen adds more value to a home that ant other project. Americans spend more time renovating their kitchens than on any other room in the house. Money magazine shows a major kitchen remodel with a 79.4% return on investment. The job cost was $42,660; resale value; $33,890. The project updated a 200 square foot kitchen with new cabinets and laminated countertops. The job included a standard double tub stainless steel sink with a single lever faucet, energy-efficient wall oven, cooking top, ventilation system, built-in micro-wave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, custom lighting and a new resilient floor. The kitchen was finished with painted walls, trim and ceiling and featured wood cabinets, including a 3 by 5 foot island. You don't have to spend that much of course, you could easily spend more. For those on a smaller budget, a renovation that includes new countertops, cabinets an island and the latest appliances can be done for around $15,000.

Kitchen Tips

OPEN WIDE- Consider removing walls between the kitchen & dining room.
LIGHTEN UP- Replace harsh lighting and hang pendant lights.
BUILD A PANTRY- Turn a nearby closet into a walk-in pantry.

Update any bathroom that's at least 25 years old. For an investment of $9,800 you'll recoup $8,880 when reselling the home. For this project replace all fixtures, to include standard-sized tub with ceramic tile surround, toilet, dual vanity counter, recessed medicine cabinet and ceramic tile floor.

Bathroom Tips

LET THE SUN IN- Add or enlarge a window or skylight
HOLD ON TO THE TUB- For resale purposes, at least one bathroom should have a full size tub.

Adding an outdoor deck can be the most inexpensive way to add square footage to your home. Consider something simple such as a 16 by 20 foot deck addition using composite deck material in a linear pattern, built in benches, planters and stairs of the same decking material. Provide a railing system mad of the sale composite or a compatible vinyl system. Figures show this will run you around $6,900 and recoup 86% of your deck investment.

Deck Tips

KEEP IT SIMPLE- To achieve fluidity from outdoors to inside use French doors. Cover areas of the yard that are unusable because they're too close to busy roads or neighbors. Screen then out with bushes or hedges by making a living fence.

To add resale value to your property patch and plant grass with seed or new sod. Add plantings sand the upgrading of landscape of the front steps or driveway. Spend some money on flowering shrubs, small trees and perennials to help frame the house and distinguish it from the neighbors.

Outdoor Tips

AN INVITING FRONT DOOR- Solid wood doors can be costly. Less expensive steel and fiberglass are more durable and easier to maintain, and fiberglass can be treated to look like wood.
LIGHTING- Add lighting to the exterior walls and front and backyards. Subtle lights in trees, gardens and on outside walls will make your yard look bigger. Install lights along walkways, and on stairs and hand rails for additional safety.
WATER- The best water feature is a zoned irrigation system on automatic timers that lets you water different areas.