Today selling your home is not an option for many families. Dropping home values is keeping people from relocating as the family grows or matures. Remodeling will make you home more livable and perhaps allow you to stay in the same 
home longer but if you are looking for return on investment in dollars spent of remodeling the news in not good.
According to a recent survey by Remodeling magazine you will recoup between 47 and 72% of your investment when you sell. Minor kitchen remodeling like a new counter is high on the list of return on investment at 72%.
While remodeling may not be the best return on investment it is likely better than the money lost by selling in a down market and the related expenses such as moving and refinancing which will return zero dollars on the money spent.