How to Increase the Value of Your Home

Before you begin renovating, know which projects will increase your home's worth and which ones can harm it.

Is this Renovation Worth It?

A version of this article originally appeared on Learnvest.

Is digging up the backyard to put in a pool worth it? What about upgrading a tired-looking kitchen with gleaming marble countertops? And what about installing high-tech speakers— throughout the house?

If you're planning to renovate your home, you may already be asking yourself these very questions. But when it comes to increasing your home's appraisal value, the answer to them isn't always a resounding yes.

To help ensure that your reno dollars are well spent, we asked real estate experts across the country to weigh in on the top five home improvement dos that can boost resale value—and five don'ts that just aren't worth the extra expense.