What's the best use of a home equity loan or line of credit? Ask anyone who knows anything about real estate and the answer is pretty consistent.

Put it back into the house.

Making your home bigger and nicer almost always makes it more valuable and marketable. Not ready to sell? Those improvements also make your home a more beautiful and enjoyable place to live until you are.

Our guide to home remodeling can get you started with lots of great ideas.

Begin with a project that makes the most financial sense. Some improvements boost the value of your home more than others. So don't touch that hammer until you've seen our list of renovations and additions that pay the best returns.

Success story: Paul Logue. See how Paul made all the right financial decisions when he added a $13,000 garage to his Columbus, Ohio, home.

There's no better place to spend remodeling dollars than the kitchen. It's the heart and soul of today's home, the perfect place for casual entertaining and a room that can make or break a deal when you try to sell. We can help you make all the right decisions about cabinets, counters and appliances.

Better bathrooms are high on everyone's wish list. For just a few hundred dollars you can make some surprisingly luxurious improvements. For a few thousand you can have heated floors, glass tiled walls or elegant showers worthy of a mansion.

"Adding" a vacation home can make fun, financial sense. If you like your primary residence just like it is, this is another way to build equity, collect rental income and profit from a major tax deduction.

Have questions about your finances? Ask us at editors@interest.com