Looking to increase your home's value? You might want to tackle the low hanging fruit first. Paint! Keep it simple and use neutral paint colors (think grey and greige) and not Pepto Bismol pink. I love pink as an accent color but not on walls. You want your home to flow from room to room and keeping a consistent, neutral color palette will appeal to more home buyers. If you have shag carpet the Scooby Doo would love, then you might want to consider changing it out. Those two simple changes will make a huge difference in terms of your home's appeal without breaking the bank. If you don't have the time or patience for a kitchen remodel a quick coat of paint on the cabinets can change a kitchen from drab to fab!
I personally believe that you should fix up your home for your own personal enjoyment and not just to sell it. You bought it because you loved it and so you should love it. Don't wait to fix it up just to sell it. Fix it up and enjoy it. Below are national average recouped expenses for home projects. Kitchens and bathrooms remain top of the list and gives you the most bang for your buck.
Project (average cost recouped, national) according to Realtor Magazine:
Minor kitchen remodel (88%)
Bathroom remodel (85%)
Major kitchen remodel (81%)
Family room addition (80%)
Deck addition (77%)
Master suite (75%)
Attic bedroom (74%)
Siding replacement (73%)
Window replacement (69%)
Home office (55%)
Projects that may increase your home’s value include: Jacuzzi (4 jets or more); permanent hot tub; in-ground pool; security system; sprinkler system; substantial out buildings; and vaulted ceilings.
These may not add value to your house: above-ground pool; ceiling fans; garden pond; and light fixtures.