There are two principal factors which affects Real estate values in North America.
a. The number one is location. the closest your property is from attractived places, comunity centers, High ways and main cities the higher its value is.
b. The second one is based on the physical shape of this, let's face it if your home is not looking good or simply is outdated then you may need to do some work on it to make its value go up.

Here are some tips to make your home look better and incresase the value on your investment.

1. Kitchen is probably the most important place for some families.

Investment Cost
Updated cabinets: $1000
New countertops: $ 500
New Floring; $ 400
New Appliances: $ 1500

Total: $3400 Increase in Value: $10.000 you made $6600

2. Bathrooms is one of the places you want to keep in really good shape

Investment Cost
Ubdated cabinets: $250
New Floring: $200
New Bathtub: $350
New Sink and Toilet: $350

Total: $1150 Increase in Value: $3000 You made $ 1850+

Now If you have enough space to build up a whole bath the appreciation on your home could be from $5000 to 7000 dollars depending on the quality of the improvements you add.
The increase in value from a 1/2 Bath to a full Bath could be $3000 to 4000.