Reasons to Love Using a Real Estate Professional

Selling Your Home? 7 Easy Fixes for $500 It's hard to get motivated to spend your hard-earned cash to fix up your home just so someone else can enjoy it. The good news is you don't have to break the bank to make the sale! Here are seven fixes you can tackle for under $500.  1. Make Room for Buyer Imagination: $0 Before you pull out the wallet, create a clean slate by ditching the clutter, packing up family pictures, and scrubbing your home down to a shine. Even the small changes make a big impact—and best of all, it's free! Once you've exhausted your elbow grease, it's time to get down to details.  2. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint: $200 Paint and supplies will probably take up the biggest chunk of your budget because it's the quickest way to transform your entire space. Keep costs low by doing it yourself. You can find great deals on recycled paint, which is available in a range of neutrals. While you're at it, grab some basic white for touching up the trim inside and out.  3. Up Your Curb Appeal: $50 First impressions get buyers through the door but don't have to cost a fortune. Save money by borrowing a pressure washer from a friend or family member and freshening up the landscaping with free mulch from the city. Simple entryway additions—like potted flowers, a new welcome mat and a bold color on the front door—make a big difference without a huge investment.  4. Create a Cozy Place to Gather: $50 Comfort is key when it comes to your home's prime living space. Add a punch of color to the sofa with a pair of patterned pillows and drape a super-soft throw over the back of an armchair. A couple of strategically placed baskets provide an easy place to store remote controls and other knick-knacks before home showings.  5. Refresh Kitchen Details: $75 Can't afford a complete kitchen facelift? No problem! This is a great place to sweat the small stuff. Buy decorative kitchen towels and dress cabinets up with modern hardware. A bowl of fresh fruit or a vase of cut flowers will brighten up your kitchen island.  6. Set a Relaxing Mood in the Master Bedroom: $100 Everyone wants a special place to retreat to at the end of the day. So why not create a relaxing space that puts buyers at ease? Score spa-like bedding at your neighborhood discount store and add a touch of luxury with a few extra throw pillows.  7. Go for Squeaky Clean: $25 Revamp your bathroom by eliminating any trace of ick. Stock up on fresh towels, shower curtain liners and pretty soaps at the local dollar store. A tube of caulk does double-duty by banishing mildew and creating neat edges around the bathtub.

Top 10 Most Popular Dates for Listings and Closings

Top 10 Most Popular Dates for Listings and Closings

Six Home Improvements that Add up to Big Savings

If you’re ready to make some changes, these are the best places to use your home improvement funds.

1.) Replacement windows

The Natural Resources Defense Council found that a third of a home’s total heat loss comes from drafty windows. Though energy efficient replacement windows might seem like a large investment, they can save you money every month after installation, as well as beautify your home.

2.) Serious insulation

According to Energy Star, good insulation can save up to 20 percent in energy costs. To be sure of how much insulation you need, find your location on the Energy Star map and look for the corresponding R­value.

3.) Energy ­efficient appliances

Appliances draw a great deal of power, so it pays to turn to energy ­efficient models. The appliances in your home account for up to 20 percent of your costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By going with Energy Star products, you can reduce your home’s energy and water usage by 10 to ­15 percent.

4.) Programmable thermostat

Speaking of energy­ efficiency, few things can help lower your heating bills like a programmable thermostat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning the thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours each day can save up to 15 percent on heating costs

5.) Water heater

Fifteen percent of your utility bill goes to that old water heater, according to the DOE. If your tank is ancient, look into a tankless or on ­demand water heater. A solar water heater can save a whopping 90 percent on operating costs.

6.) Seal the gaps

Close up drafts with caulk and weather ­stripping, insulate switches and outlets, and unplug your appliances when they aren’t in use. To get even more ideas, invest in a home energy audit that can help you pinpoint what needs work.