When it comes to choosing options, you may feel like you have a devil on your left shoulder and an angel on your right. "Be prudent with your money," the angel might suggest. While the devil might taunt, "Oh, go ahead and get what you want." Happily, you can and should listen to both. While you may not be able to prudently afford every option your heart desires, you should consider spending wisely on options that will add value to your home today and tomorrow. Value is defined as monetary or material worth, importance, or merit. And, those three elements are the criteria you should use when selecting options. For every option you're considering, ask yourself:

— How much return on investment will this option provide in terms of higher resell value?

— How important is it to me and my family to have this extra feature?

— Is there merit (superior quality or worth) in having the builder add this option now rather than adding it myself, or hiring someone to add it later?

In terms of resale value, three upgrades take top honors: flooring, kitchen cabinets and electrical wiring.

Flooring options can include major upgrades, such as hardwood floors instead of carpet and tile or stone instead of vinyl, or minor upgrades such as a better quality of carpeting and a thicker pad. If the devil on your shoulder is urging you toward hardwood floors and you're following obediently because you really want them, then appease the angel by:

— calculating the cost of the hardwood upgrade over time

— factoring in the inconvenience and cost of installing hardwoods at a later date

— assessing the expected rate of return on your investment should you sell the house (a quick call to a relator can help you baseline the value of hardwood versus carpet)

Use the same considerations for tile or stone.

You also might want to consider the understated value of durability and ease of maintenance, especially if your household includes children and pets (a.k.a. mess makers). If your carpet or vinyl floor is going to be trod on, spilled on and played on by kids and pets, chances are high that its resale value will be next to nothing by the time you sell. Hardwood and tile, as long as you stay with classic colors and styles, should retain their value for the life of the floor. If you can't go "whole house" with upgraded flooring, consider installing hardwood or tile in high traffic areas, such as the foyer and kitchen.

Speaking of the kitchen, it's one of the two rooms that dominate as the heart of the home. The kitchen wins by power of tradition and the lure of warm chocolate chip cookies, but the family room, with its high-tech TVs, game systems and stereo components, is not far behind. Choosing the right options for these two rooms can exponentially increase your home enjoyment and resale value.

Cooks may want to consider kitchen options such as a second oven, multi-task sinks, or dual dish washers or stackable dish drawers. Other popular options include cabinets with roll-out shelves, raised panel doors and stone or simulated stone counter tops.

When choosing "lifestyle options," such as what to add in a kitchen, you might want to adhere to the credo of American architect Louis Sullivan, who advised, "form ever follows function."

First, choose options that increase the room's ease of use and increased function. Then, select those items whose form (or look) you absolutely love, can't do without and can afford to add.

Function is never more important than in ensuring that your electrical needs are met. Upgrading the wiring after you've moved in can be costly and, if not done correctly, can result in wall damage. The best time to think about your key electrical needs is before your new home's walls go up.

Make a detailed list of what you think you'll need for each room, including:

— additional phone lines

— cable outlets

— special wiring for a home security system, sound system, intercom system, and/or integrated home network

— wall-mounted switches or remote controls for lighting or ceiling fans

Don't forget wiring for outdoor lights and outlets.

Yes, options do add up and working within a budget is key to having a home you can enjoy and afford. But with a little careful planning and some prudent picking, you may find you don't have to skimp (nor should you) on the options you want most — those that add value to your life and your home.