Investing in capital improvements in your home can bring you:

• Immediate enjoyment of the quality of environmental improvement to your space
• Increase the overall life-span of structural, mechanical, electrical & plumbing improvements
• Add financial value to your home if you were to sell it

Remodeling magazine offers a useful Cost vs. Value tool that helps you figure out how much of your investment you can recoup.  You can choose your state/city selection and the San Francisco Cost vs. Value tool shows what you can recoup against the value invested in room-by-room projects.

But when it too much?

I advise clients to consider how much to invest in their projects.  There is always a balance between over-investing in your area vs. immediate gratification.  For example, to install a premium appliance such as a Sub-Zero refrigerator in a modest neighborhood may give you immediate enjoyment but may not get you the return for the money when it comes to resell your home.