No matter what market you are in, you can increase your equity as time goes by. There are different alternatives that include financial strategies, physical improvements, and plain old sweat equity.

Let's start with financing:

1- You can pay extra principle against your mortgage if you have plans to continue living in the home for awhile. 

2- You can start a schedule where you pay your mortgage every two weeks instead of every month. 

3- If and when the time is right, you can re-finance in a variety of ways that may enhance your mortgage situation.

How do improvements affect your home's value. There are lots of resources regarding how amenities and improvements affect your value. Most only bring a fractional return to you after the improvements are in place. 

The bottom line is that I can tell you generally what the affect will be on your home's value if you plan on doing any major improvements. So call or check with me if you need advice in this area.

Good old fashioned sweat equity goes farther than anything else. Repairs, deferred maintenance, paint, carpet, landscaping, visual appeal, cleanliness all add to value. Believe it or not, a clean, well maintained house will sell for more than the same house that is dirty and cluttered.