If you're planning on giving your home a "face lift" this

year, consider the following tips, brought to you by the

"outdoor building experts" who produce Kodiak® preserved wood, an

innovative new outdoor building product:

· Determine how long you plan on living in your home.

Unless you plan on staying there for years, try to make improvements

that not only add comfort and convenience for you now, but also

increase your home's future resale value. For instance, a deck

typically recoups 71 percent of its original construction cost.

· Consider how the addition will hold up over the long term.

Choose quality building products that will look good years from now. This

is especially important when choosing outdoor building

products. Some products, such as Kodiak lumber, even come with a

lifetime limited warranty to ensure they will hold up against the elements.

· Study your local real estate market to be sure you're

making improvements that homebuyers want and will pay for. In a

recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 83

percent of potential new home buyers surveyed said they would like

their new home to have a deck off the back of the house, including

29 percent who said a deck was "essential." Other renovations

rated high for their return on investment include bathroom

and kitchen renovations, as well as interior remodeling.

· Understand that while you may think certain additions are an

asset to your home, others may not. Examples include

swimming pools, hot tubs and sliding glass doors. Potential buyers may

not see past the maintenance work required with pools and spas;

and sliding glass doors may be perceived as a risk where security

is a concern.

· Be informed and know what you want before getting

started. Talk with friends who have recently completed similar

projects, or consult remodeling publications. Create a photograph file

of styles of kitchens, decks and bathrooms that you like.

· Manage your money and develop a working budget. During

a remodeling project, most homeowners will add items as

the project develops. A reserve equal to 10 to 20 percent of what

you expect to spend should cover these changes.

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