Few people live in the same house all their lives. Whether you eventually move because of a new job or whether you simply find yourself wanting a change of scenery, chances are good that you will someday sell your home - so why not make a little money in the process? Upgrading your home while you are living there will not only make it a more pleasant place for you to live but will also increase its resale value.

The first thing anyone sees of your home is its outside. Experts call this "curb appeal." Consider improving your home's outside appearance with landscaping. A well-maintained lawn with flowers, trees and shrubbery also provides a nice background to your home and will enhance its qualities. In contrast, a messy yard with little or no landscaping will only detract from your property's value.

Of course, all the shrubbery in the world can't make up for a poorly tended house. In order to make your home more widely appealing, keep the exterior painted in a neutral color. Use a contrasting accent color for the trim and the front door. Stick to classic colors like forest green, burgundy or navy. Not everyone would be as thrilled with a hot pink door as you might be.

Consider having new vinyl siding installed. This can be financially rewarding because it makes your home look like new, even if it is quite old. People are willing to pay more for a fresh-looking home.

If your garage still has a hand-operated door, replace it with a new automatic system. Replace any old windows with new, energy-saving panes. Modernize your home! Make it efficient and appealing.

You can improve the interior of your home as well. A fresh coat of paint, like new siding, can make an old home look like new. Consider adding some updated light fixtures to brighten the home and add some style. Even new switch plates can do wonders for updating your home's interior.

Perhaps the most lucrative place to make home improvements is in the kitchen. New appliances in the kitchen can boost the resale value of a home immensely. People will be willing to pay more for a sleek, efficient stove than they would for a clunky, power-hungry, avocado-green model. Also, luxury amenities like marble countertops and built-in work centers will update your kitchen and add a considerable amount to its value. Updating your bathrooms with new countertops and new flooring will also add great resale value.

Maintaining, updating and adding onto your home can bring in huge returns when the time comes to sell. Experts say that a home with excellent landscaping can get a sale price 6 percent to 7 percent higher than a home with only good landscaping. Extra bedrooms or bathrooms will offer a great return, and a remodeled kitchen can bring in 125 percent of its cost.

So go ahead, update your home! Not only will you be able to enjoy your improvements while you live there, but you will also be able to enjoy the huge returns that come when you decide it's time to sell.