Maximizing Your Real Estate Investment

Since Allen and Kerri Rodgers moved into this historic Tudor-style house on Clarendon Avenue in Avondale Estates a year ago, theyve put a lot of work into improving and maintaining the landscape. The Rodgers also recently began remodeling the kitchen, working from plans they designed themselves. Theyre adding new cabinets, appliances and hardwood floors. To learn more about Allen Rodgers, who is one of the featured artists of this months Avondale in Bloom GardenWalk,click here.

Its no secret that real estate is a great investment. Finding the right piece of property and selling it at the right time can yield quite a profit. But theres much more to the process than putting a for sale sign in the front yard.

In order to get your moneys worth out of a house, you need to know where to put your money in the first place. A pool in the backyard may be your idea of paradise, but it could drive buyers with children away before they even see the inside of the house. A newly remodeled kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and stone countertops, however, appeals to just about everyone. And there are tons of little changes that can make a big difference in the way your house is perceived once its on the market.

We went to Atlanta real estate pros to find out which home improvements will help you make the most of your investment.

Heres what youll find inside this section:

What the Pros Know
Advice from real estate agents, mortgage brokers, appraisers, home inspectors and other experts

Improvement Checklist
Create your own personalized to-do list

Remodeling Return
See a renovation project that clinched the sale

Plenty of Curb Appeal
The quickest ways to make a good first impression

Big-Impact Changes
Get the most bang for your buck

Presentation is Everything
Set the stage for a successful sale