Home improvement is a veritable juggernaut in today’s world of consumer choice and budgetary constraints. The concept involves a myriad of tasks and activities, from assembling the latest gadget to making that big purchase in the first place. Often, the task is not an easy feat, but a little forethought can go a long way in ensuring that the resulting home resale is not a complete write off in the near future. One of the most challenging aspects is identifying which of the myriad trade offs should be pursued at what cost. For the savvy home shopper, there are a few tricks of the trade to be had and a few keystrokes to be saved in the process. Using the right combination of these strategies can result in a winning home and a sexier life.