Kitchen renovation

[Snowreap]

Do you plan on living there for a while? Like 3-5 years? Then go for it but don't do it expecting to get a ton of value out of it. That 12k would go much much farther as part of a down payment on a new place. Those type of upgrades should do two things. 1) Make you happy. 2) Help you sell your place before the guy next to you sells his. It's not going to price you much higher, it's just going to make you look better.

I agree with this.

I was confusing money with value. no, you won't get $12K more for your condo by adding these upgrades. but yes, spending $12K will increase its value (but not necessarily in a way that nets you any additional cash when you sell).

-ken