Having a home is necessary in order to survive. For us humans, it is even more elaborate. Our goal is to have homes that not only serves the purpose of a safe and secure dwelling place, but also serves as an outlet where we can express our individuality and sense of style. While our tastes vary, there is one common ground we share and that is our desire to have a home that is neither rented or nor shared with other families. We want a home that we can call our own. A home that regardless of size, serves as our own little kingdom – a place where there is no other king but us.

Of course, as we move up into the world, our tastes and preferences change and refine to a higher level. What seemed to be a great-looking, to-die-for ballard at the heart of the city may not be as appealing to us anymore especially if we have kids. We may long for more space and maybe a change in pace too. Whatever our reason may be, the bottom line is, we may, at some point decide to sell our property. And when that time comes, can we safely assume that our properties have earned the right amount of equity we hoped?

Well, the answer to that is of course, dependent on the economy. However, regardless if the economy is soaring or dipping, we can still manage to improve our home’s equity value come selling period. We can achieve such by ensuring that our homes are in their pristine shape and condition when we put it up for sale. But since money is quite harder to come by in a down economy, we need to be mindful of where we want upgrades to happen – and that is the kitchen. According to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost Vs. Value Report for 2004, you’ll get the best return on investment (92.9% to be exact) even for minor kitchen renovations. To be more specific, below is a list that would surely augment your property’s equity value.

Renovate / Remodel Kitchen Cabinetry

Kitchen cabinets are undoubtedly one of the most important aspect of a kitchen. Needless to say, they are the most expensive too. Think 2/3 of your overall kitchen makeover cost. You might think that there’s no way anyone can pull off such updates without breaking the bank. Well, that’s where you’re wrong.

There are a lot of cost-saving strategies associated with cabinet spruce-ups these days. DIY repainting and hardware replacements is the cheapest way to update an old cabinet, perfect when your cabinet make is still intact. Thrift-shops, antique stores, and online stores do offer great bargains.

You also have more variety now beyond custom wood which include laminates and rta cabinets as added options. The good thing about having a lot of vendors these days is that competition makes things more affordable for everyone. One good example of manufacturers offering big discounts along with free consultation the whole year round is Kitchen Cabinets Kings. Check out their kitchen cabinets at wholesale pricing and other great steals by visiting their website.

Kitchen Appliance Update

Any electronic, mechanical item should be overhauled and replaced by more updated, not to mention, working ones that will surely appeal to buyers. Throw out old and rusty microwave ovens that don’t work and replace them with a newer model that promise durability. Stainless steel are more popular these days since they go with any kitchen theme and design, not to mention they require very little maintenance and cleaning efforts.

Upgrade Countertops

If you’re still using laminates, then by all means, consider upgrade. Countertops serve a lot of purpose especially now that families are now spending more time in the kitchen. It’s not only for food preparations and dining but a place to hangout with family and friends too. Having said that, you need no less than a good, durable and nice-looking countertop that will be able to withstand years of use, whilst adding additional character to your kitchen. Consider granite, marble, repurposed wood, or concrete.

Turn Green

Following the green movement is an advocacy that brings both mother earth and you great benefits. It does not only promote lesser carbon footprint but also allows you to save on incremental energy costs. Contrary to many beliefs that going green requires a lot of money to roll out, you can start simple but reap great returns in the long run. Get rid of halogen lights and chandeliers that produce subdued brightness; replace them with CFLs, better yet, use natural lighting by opening your windows during daytime. By doing this, you also allow natural air to circulate within your home, saving you lots of money associated with air conditioning expenses. You can also replace plumbing fixtures with more efficient, tankless alternatives. These combined bring fast return of investment.

Author Bio: Marie Christine Sing-Umali is a blogger and home improvement enthusiast working for Kitchen Cabinet Kings, a leading online distributor of discount bathroom and kitchen cabinets nationwide. At Kitchen Cabinet Kings you will find high quality birch, maple, bamboo, and oak kitchen cabinets.