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Top 15 Home Updates

Here, find out how the top 15 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale.

(Continued from Page 4) By Dona DeZube
Special to HGTV.com
#5 Attic Bedroom Conversion
Average return at resale: 93.5%

  • The average attic bedroom in a two- or three-bedroom house costs $39,188 and returns $36,649 at resale.
  • The best recoup rate is in the West: 105 percent; worst is in the Midwest: 82 percent.
  • That price includes a 15 x 15 ft. bedroom, a 5x7 bath with shower, a 15-ft. dormer, four windows and a closet.
  • Add insulation in your attic to lower your utility bills. Just make sure the foil vapor barrier is installed down toward the ceiling to prevent moisture from seeping up. Check the US Department of Energy Web site to see the right level of insulation for your area: www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html
  • Can your existing HVAC system handle the load of another room? If not, factor in the cost of a second unit.

  • A solar-powered attic fan is a super efficient way to save on cooling your house. The attic fan exhausts heat from above your home and is powered by a solar cell on the roof–so it doesn’t add a cent to your utility bill.
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