1. Switch out all of the incandescent bulbs in your home for compact fluorescent bulbs. They cost a bit more than traditional light bulbs, but they use a fraction of the electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
2. If there are electronics devices throughout your home that arent used regularly, such as televisions and DVD players, unplug them. They actually use energy even when they are not being used! In addition, if there are any devices around the house that have transformers, unplug them when not in use, as they are also a big drain on electricity.
3. Dont run your dishwasher until its full, and turn off the heated dry option, choosing instead to prop the dishwasher door open after the cycle has completed and allowing the dishes to air dry.
4. If you have refrigerators and freezers in the garage or basement of your home that are never full, consider unplugging them. Keeping a large freezer cold when you have but a few popsicles in it simply doesnt make good financial sense in terms of your electric bill. In addition, make sure the seals on your refrigerator and freezer are in good working.
5. Install three-way switches or dimmer switches on frequently used lights in the home. These switches cost just a few dollars, yet can save you big on your electric bill simply by turning down the lights when bright lights arent needed.
6. Turn off lights! This may seem rather obvious, but many people keep lights on in empty rooms, thereby draining energy and boosting electrical bills.

Here are a few tips from frankelrealty for getting your creative juices flowing!

Strip down the mantle and start over.

If you have a fireplace mantle in your family room or master bedroom, turn your attention to it, as it is likely one of the focal points in the room. A mantle is a great way to begin flexing your decorating muscles, as it is a small space thats easy to work with. We love groupings on a mantle, as it gives it some interest. And dont forget to switch up the heights of the decorative items you place on it to make it visually interesting.

For example, a grouping of interesting candlesticks of different designs and heights is a great way to dress up your mantle, so are picture frames of various sizes. If you want to bring nature indoors, consider laying sprigs of greenery or branches across the mantle and then filling up glass jars of various sizes with pine cones, acorns, stones, or other natural items.

Tackle your bookcases.

Sure, your bookcases serve a utilitarian purpose, but they can also be attractive at the same time! The best place to start is to take everything down and sort through the contents of your bookcases, donating old books you dont read anymore and organizing what you want to keep. For example, why not organize your bookcase according to genres? All of your cookbooks should be organized together, and all of your photography books should be together. But it is also important to break up the monotony of your bookcases with interesting decorative pieces.

For example, line up your favorite books about half way across the shelf and then add a pretty vase to the other side of the shelf. Reverse the direction on the next shelf so that the bookcase is visually balanced. Add interesting bookends and items from your travels to make your bookcases not only useful, but quite attractive, as well!

Before you begin shopping for bathroom accessories, consider the design or style you want to achieve and then stick to that. It can become quite overwhelming when you begin looking at the massive selection of bathroom accessories offered at many of todays larger home improvement stores, so if you have a good idea of the look you are trying to achieve it will make it easier when shopping for accessories.

First, consider using accessories to achieve problems in your bathroom. If you are short on storage, purchase a shelving unit that can fit over your toilet or a small corner unit for your linens. Next, consider accessories that may allow you to hide the things in your bathroom that you dont want to be on display, such as toilet brush holders and trash.

Finally, consider adding a personal touch to everyday items, such as soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. Many times, bathroom accessories are sold in matching sets, thereby allowing you to coordinate everything from your toilet brush holder to your trash can.

Dont forget to address purely utilitarian accessories, such as towel bars and shower caddies, as all of these items are a must for making sure your bathroom stays neat and organized.

Finish your bathroom updating efforts by decorating your walls and floors. Think comfort when it comes to bathroom rugs, as there are many fantastic bathroom rugs that provide great comfort underfoot! Purchase prints that match with the theme of your bathroom, or add decorative mirrors along the wall to make the space feel larger.

Finally, add a few decorative touches, such as potpourri, candles, or pretty guest towels.

Cut down on filter operating times.

Many organizations and pool companies recommend using your pools filtration system for a maximum of four hours during peak seasons and less during times of the year when the pool is not often used.

Invest in an energy-efficient pump.

New energy-efficient pumps may saddle you with a large initial investment, but the savings in electricity can be seen almost immediately. Look for a pump with a variable-speed motor on it, as it can save you up to 50 percent on your pools electric bill.

Turn off water features.

If you arent outside and enjoying the swimming pool, it doesnt make much sense to keep the waterfall flowing and the pool lights turned on. You can save a considerable amount of money each month by simply turning off a swimming pools water features.

Keep the pool clean.

A dirty filter or dirty strainer baskets make the swimming pool pump work all that much harder. Skimming the swimming pool each day is probably on your to-do list, so make sure to include cleaning out the filter and strainer basket on your daily list, too.

Use an evaporation-proof pool cover.

One of the best ways to keep your swimming pool operating efficiently is to prevent the evaporation of water and the loss of nighttime heat. Find a good swimming pool cover (they make ones specifically designed to prevent water evaporation and to trap in heat) and use it each and every day, and you will be rewarded with lower electric bills (and water bills, too!).

Your Employment History

A lender will likely want to see one of two things: a history of employment in the same field or a long history of employment at a particular place of employment. It is never a good idea to change jobs right before you apply for a home loan, as this shows the lender that you may not be financially stable enough to hold a mortgage. Many lenders will make exceptions to a number of job changes if you can prove there was little to no unemployment between jobs and that you have worked in the same field for at least a few years.

Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Many would-be homebuyers are shocked to find they werent approved for a home loan, even though they had a stellar credit score. This is because your credit score isnt the only thing a lender is looking at when reviewing your credit reports. Instead, a lender is also likely reviewing your debt-to-income ratio, or the amount of debt you have in relation to how much you earn. A high debt-to-income ratio may set off warning bells to a lender that you are carrying too much debt and that you may be at risk for defaulting on your home loan. The best thing you can do is pay down your debts as much as possible before applying for a home loan. Further, avoid taking on any more debt in the months leading up to applying for the home loan.

Your Payment History

Many homeowners think they have excellent credit, as they never missed a credit card or car payment. But what they dont realize is that everything from past due student loan payments (the number one reason why home buyers arent approved for home loans) to unpaid utility bills from past residences can affect their ability to qualify for a home loan. From your water bill to your department store credit card, all credit is important in the eyes of a lender!

If you are interested in giving your home a little nighttime pizzazz, heres how to get started:

1. Take a look at your home from the curb once the sun has gone down and make notes of particularly dark areas or areas you would like to see illuminated. A yard tree, a fountain, and a beautifully planted bed are all areas where illumination can be addressed. Beyond that, however, consider safety lighting that will help guests make their way up your walkway and to your porch. Safety for nighttime walking is one of the first things that should be addressed.
2. Once you have made your notes of the areas to be lit, make a rough diagram of the yard, along with measurements. Take this diagram to the lighting store so you can choose the best lighting fixtures for your needs.
3. The best place to start is with a good transformer for your low-voltage outdoor lighting needs. Provided you have a good transformer that can handle more lighting as you add and change your landscaping lighting, you will have the flexibility to create the nighttime landscape of your dreams.
4. Use the correct fixtures for the correct areas. You will find uplights, which are great for highlighting trees or illuminating the front of your home; path lights, which is ideal for creating pools of light along your pathway and driveway; and backlights, which create a beautiful silhouette along a wall for object of interest. Just be sure to pay attention to the manufacturers recommendations for installation and placement.

Trade in grass for ground cover.

Growing grass in Florida isnt exactly an easy endeavor, so achieving a low-maintenance backyard means eliminating the grass. Ground cover is a great way to create beauty in your ponte vedra homes for sale backyard, just be sure to plant native ground cover that loves the heat and requires very little water. You will be surprised at how quickly ground cover can grow!

Make gravel or pebble pathways and relaxation areas.

A few pathways throughout your backyard that lead you from your back porch to your shed or swimming pool are both attractive and maintenance-free. Consider using crushed limestone or small river rock to achieve a beautiful pathway. Also consider turning a portion of your backyard into a conversation area, complete with furniture and even a gazebo. Using crushed limestone allows you to make a lovely conversation area that will require little maintenance.

Build a brick patio.

Brick patios are so attractive and, installed correctly, can provide you with years of maintenance-free enjoyment. Be sure to ask the experts at your local building supply store for tips on properly laying a brick patio, and use only install bricks that are constructed specifically for walkways and patios.

Plant a wildflower garden.

If you love color year-round and you love to see wildlife visit your backyard then you must plant a wildflower garden. Border your garden with a lovely picket fence, and let the dying wildflowers seed the garden so you can enjoy continuously blooming flowers.

Create beds of slow-growing plants and trees.

Although creating beds and planting shrubbery and trees can be quite an endeavor, if you choose the right plants that grow slow and need little pruning and maintenance, you can save yourself quite a bit of time throughout the year. Ask a nursery or garden expert to supply you with a list of native plants and trees that grow slowly and require little water or maintenance.

In particular, there are a number of things every seller will likely need to pay for when selling their home:

Repairs and Home Improvement Projects

If your home is not in the condition that it needs to be in order to sell, you must factor in the cost of home repairs and other home improvement projects. For example, you may consider replacing the kitchen floor, updating the master bathroom light fixture, and planting a few new bushes near the front door for maximum curb appeal. Or you may simply need to pay for a good professional carpet cleaning or house cleaning. Either way, you must be prepared to fork over anywhere from a few hundred dollars to even a few thousand dollars to ensure your home is in great condition before it is listed.

Closing Costs and Taxes

Before you escape the closing with your home proceeds, you must first pay for closing costs. In general, sellers can expect to pay between 7 and 10 percent of their homes sale price in closing costs.

You should also factor in transfer taxes, which are based on the sales price of the home, and any prorated property taxes you may owe.

Professional Home Inspection

Many sellers are playing it safe and calling in the services of a professional home inspector before they list their home. A home inspection, although generally done by the buyers, may also be done by the sellers, thereby giving them a clear picture of the updates and fixes they may be facing in order to sell their home. Further, many home sellers make the necessary repairs and updates before they list the home, thereby eliminating the stress of a home inspection further down the road. Expect to pay about $300 for a professional home inspection.

Moving Expenses

Whether you are moving down the road or across the country, you will likely incur moving expenses. From a moving van rental to the services of a professional moving company, moving expenses can be as little as a couple hundred dollars or as much as several thousand dollars, so it is always good to prepare for moving expenses ahead of time.

How far am I willing to travel?

Be realistic about this. In other words, if you found a beautiful island getaway on your last Caribbean vacation you may be tempted to consider purchasing a property there. However, are you really likely to make that trip more than a couple times a year? And, if you arent, is it really cost feasible to purchase a home where you will spend little time? However, a vacation home thats a reasonable drive or short flight away may be a bit more realistic, allowing you to enjoy your vacation home on a more frequent basis throughout the year.

What are the maintenance and upkeep needs with the property?

Considering your time at your vacation home will be limited, you certainly wont want to spend your time there performing maintenance. With that said, you may consider a condominium or other property that features building and outside maintenance, thereby allowing you to really settle in and relax every time you get away.

Am I aware of all the tax implications of purchasing a vacation property?

It is always a good idea to talk with your accountant or financial advisor about any and all tax implications before purchasing a vacation property, as the tax incentives you may enjoy on your primary residence likely wont apply to a vacation home. Further, your accountant can also advise you of any other tax implications if you decide to rent out your vacation home.

Have I considered all of other expenses of purchasing a vacation home?

A vacation home is more than a mortgage. It also includes maintenance, upkeep, HOA fees, utilities, and taxes, all of which can take a large bite out of your budget if you dont plan ahead and take these expenses into consideration. Lay it all out and make a detailed budget so you can be sure your vacation home is still within your reach in terms of finances.

Although this question certainly doesnt have a one-size-fits-all kind of answer, there are a few things to consider when debating whether renovations make sense:

You can never go wrong with fresh paint or new carpeting

Some renovations simply make sense, whether you are selling a modest ranch or an estate Colonial. Fresh paint and new carpeting instantly update a tired-looking room and, as far as renovations go, are probably the least likely to drain your wallet. Remember: when choosing paint and carpeting colors, go neutral as to appeal to a wide array of buyers.

Fixing is not the same as renovating

Although the idea of renovation may be questionable for some homeowners, repairs should not. If there are leaking faucets, broken kitchen cabinet handles, or damaged hardwood flooring, these things need repaired. No one wants to enter a home and find that basic maintenance tasks have been ignored.

Renovation may depend on the comparable homes in your area

One of the best ways to gauge whether renovations are in order is to simply look at the comparable homes for sale. If they all have updated kitchens and your kitchen hasnt seen an update in 20 years, it may make the best financial sense to renovate the kitchen so your home becomes competition in the market. Otherwise, you could be stuck with a house that simply doesnt sell.

Consider the return on your investment

This is where the services of a realtor cant be beat. Find a realtor with a considerable amount of experience in the area and ask what type of return certain renovations are producing. A realtor with experience buying and selling homes in your area will have an excellent grasp of which renovations are worthy of your time and attention and which ones will leave you financially in the hole. Also, consider the time a renovation would take and how much time you can realistically wait for it to be completed before listing the home. If you are in a hurry to sell your home, you may simply need to cut the price of the home and sell it as-is for the sake of time.