Many homeowners often ask me "How can I increase the value of my home?" The first thing that often comes to mind for most people when considering ways to add value is to increase the square footage by enclosing a garage/carport, porch or patio. While this may indeed add value, it may not always give as good a return on investment as you think. Some things to consider before you enclose a garage for example: 1.)Do most of the homes in this subdivision have a garage or carport? If so, then you will lose some appeal and value by not having car storage. 2.) What are you going to do with the enclosed space? Many people often enclose a garage and it just sits there without any windows or functionality. Try to use the space in a creative way, or at least a way that seems practical. 3.) Make sure the quality of the enclosure is as good as the rest of the house. Too often I will see an enclosed garage and it looks like, well....an enclosed garage. Shoddy, cheap workmanship is definitely not the way to go. Getting the advice of a real estate professional can save you a lot of money and help you get the most bang for your buck. Check back in a few days for Part 2 of" Increasing Your Home's Value".