8. Basement Bucks

Basement remodeling is a big project that pays back both personal and financial dividends. You'll enjoy watching movies, entertaining at the wet bar and hosting more guests when you add a full bath to your plans.

The average national cost to create a 20' x 30' room in the lower level of your home with drywall, a storage area, recessed lighting, laminate flooring, a wet bar and a full bath is about $61,000. You'll only see about 74 percent, or $44,000, of that back if you have to sell soon, the CVR says.

Always fix flooding problems first. Add French drains, bigger gutters or re-slope the yard to keep water out. Test to make sure the fixes work before investing time or materials in a basement.

Want just the wet bar? You can buy 10 linear feet of cabinets, a laminate countertop, a stainless steel drop-in bar sink and an under-counter refrigerator for about $3,000.

More Smart Home Updates:

1. Spruce up or replace your siding.
2. Add a deck.
3. Tweak your kitchen.
4. Repair or replace windows.
5. Overhaul your kitchen.
6. Strip the bathroom.
7. Find cash in the attic.
8. Earn bucks from the basement.
9. Add space to add value.
10. Add low-cost landscaping.