David McMillin Bankrate.com (TNS)

The value of your home can increase or decrease for a variety of reasons. Some variables are out of your control — like how hot your local housing market is or isn’t. But other variables may be within your control — namely, strategic upgrades to the premises.

Many home improvements can significantly increase your home’s value, boosting your equity stake. While they won’t all recoup their full cost, they definitely will make the house more marketable — and of course, improve your quality of life while you still occupy it.

8 ways to increase the value of your home

There are many ways to add value to your home. Some are simple and fast DIY jobs . Others require an upfront investment and the use of professionals.

1. Clean and declutter

To increase you

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