Slide Show: Are these 7 home remodeling projects worth the money?

When I remodeled my house, I knew what I wanted: a bigger kitchen with room for two refrigerators, more family space and another bedroom. But there are dreams and then theres reality. My husband and I began wondering not only how much we could afford, but how much was wise to spend. So we called our real-estate agent and explained our plans, with hopes she could help us set a budget.

Fortunately, she was able to tell us how much more she could sell our home for with our new dream addition. So that became our budget. It was actually a fairly easy way to think about our return on investment (ROI). However, many homeowners mistakenly think the cost vs. value ratio hovers at one to one, and whatever they invest into the project will be instantly reflected in increased value. Not so fast.Even the most valuable remodeling projects dont completely recoup the cost, according to Remodeling Magazinesannual cost vs. value report . The project with the highest return on investment installing a steel door only recoups 97% of its cost. That wasnt always the case. In 2009, steel doors had an ROI of 125%. But in 2011, it fell to 73%.

From DailyWorth.com , heres the expected ROI on seven popular home projects:

Average national cost: $18,856

Return on investment: 82.7%

While any kitchen remodel will add some value to your home, less is more when it comes to ROI. If youre remodeling on a budget, focus on a few key areas: Replace dated appliances with more modern, stainless steel models; replace aging countertops with sturdier materials that you can afford; replace cabinet hardware (but leave the boxes in place); and apply a fresh coat of paint or add a new backsplash.

Average national cost: $54,909

Return on investment: 74.2%

Any real-estate agent will tell you to invest your time and money in the kitchen if you want to add value to your home. Why? Because kitchens make a big impressionand home buyers want them to be modern, functional and well-maintained. The average cost of a major kitchen remodel is high, but includes a complete guttingfrom cabinets to appliances to flooring and replacing them with modern midrange materials.

Be careful not to go too far with kitchen remodels. Unless youre living in a high-end, luxury home, you shouldnt have high-end, luxury appliances (like a top-of-the-line Sub-Zero fridge, for example) or personalized gadgetsthey wont matter to your targeted buyer or add value to your home.

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Slide Show: Are these 7 home remodeling projects worth the money?