For the second consecutive year in regards to Charlotte Homes, exterior remodeling projects have returned the most money as a percentage of costs, as detailed in 2008 remodeling cost versus value report. Although most reasons follow national trends, the Mecklenburg County NC Real Estate regions that consistently were established to return a higher percentage of remodeling cost upon resale where the South Atlantic region, which includes North Carolina, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina or Virginia and West Virginia. On a national level, wood deck editions and all types of siding replacements, upscale fiber cement, mid range vinyl, an upscale foam-backed vinyl returned more than 80% of project costs upon resale. Of these, the most profitable project was upscale fiber cement siding, which recouped 86.7% of costs followed by wood decks at 81.8%, midrange vinyl at 80.7%, and upscale foam-backed vinyl siding at 80.4%. The 2008 remodeling cost versus value report compares construction cost with resale values for 30 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 79 markets across the country, expanding from 60 markets last year. They are grouped into nine US regions following the divisions established by the US Census Bureau. This is the 11th consecutive year that the report, which is produced by Hanley Web LLC was completed in cooperation with Realtor Magazine. Realtors provided their insight into local markets and buyer preferences within those markets. In addition to wood decks and siding window replacements and kitchen remodels also returned a relatively high percentage of remodeling cost on a national basis. All types of window replacements, upscale and midrange wood and upscale and midscale vinyl return more than 76% of cost. A major mid range kitchen remodel returned 76% of projected cost, while a minor midrange kitchen remodel returned 79.5% of cost. On a national level, bathroom remodels, while still a relatively good investment, did not return as a high percentage as in the previous years. A midrange bathroom remodel was estimated to return 74.4% on resale, comparable to a midrange attic-to-bedroom conversion at 73.6% and a midrange basement remodel and 72.7% of cost recouped. As in last year's report, the least profitable remodeling projects in terms of resale value were home-office remodels, sunroom additions, and backup power generators, returning only 54.4% and 56.6% and 57.1% respectively, of project costs. Full project descriptions, as well as national, regional and local project data for the 79 cities covered by the report is posted at www.costvs-value.com.