Have you gazed at your house over the past months while silently wishing that you could be selected to participate in a home renovation television show? You were probably over the moon at the thought of saying goodbye to your worn-out carpets and replacing the bathroom tiles with something that was designed after 1980.Home renovation shows often create a false perception of how easy it is to transform your house into a modern day wonder that would be able to sell itself in the real estate market. While certain improvements can easily be done without the input of an expert, be careful for do it yourself projects that involve large structural changes that might seem simple on television, but in reality are not. Also remember that home renovation shows usually involve numerous real estate experts – from architects to interior decorators to plumbers and painters. You should also keep in mind that these shows usually dedicate little television time to the actual renovations (the builders running around in fast-forward mode on television will in reality most likely occupy your house for weeks before they move on to their next project and in the meantime you will have to put up with the rubble and paint fumes).If there are no fairy godmothers on the horizon that might supply you with a home renovation voucher, don’t despair. There are still ways to make renovation ideas a reality without overspending or overcapitalising. Which part of your house would gain the most from a few improvements? What kind of changes will be most beneficial to the property’s resell value? Chances are the place will look much better after a coat of paint. You could also consider removing those old carpets and replacing it with tiles or laminated wooden floors. Green initiatives are also very popular at the moment – a rain water tank or solar geyser will not only be more energy efficient, but can save you a great amount of money over time.In the end you should opt for the type of renovations you can afford, that would be practical and that would improve the value of the property in the real estate market.