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#1 Compact fluorescent (CF) Lights
One inexpensive and easy to implement idea is to consider converting the light bulbs in the house from incandescent to compact fluorescent (CF). CF lights will save the homeowner $30 in energy costs over the lifetime of a single bulb. CF bulbs use 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light. Because they are also cooler, producing only 25% of the heat of a conventional light bulb, they save even more energy by decreasing the workload on the air conditioner.

#2 Programmable thermostats
Programmable thermostats can save $150 in energy costs per year by adjusting temperature settings to save energy while homeowners are away or sleeping. Body temperature drops several degrees at night, thus making it more comfortable to keep the room temperature slightly higher at night in the summer. In winter, pajamas and blankets help maintain body heat, making it more comfortable to keep the room temperature slightly cooler. Resources such as Progress Energy, and others, suggest that this can save as much as 5-10% of an average household’s cooling and heating costs. According to the Colorado Rural Electric Association, for each 8 hour period that the AC keeps a house 1 degree warmer, or the heater keeps a house 1 degree colder, a household can realize approximately 1-3% savings on their energy bill.

#3 Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can reduce heating and cooling costs. Ceiling fans that are reversible can either draw warm air up to the ceiling, or push warm air near the ceiling down lower to the floor. The major benefit of a ceiling fan is in the summer. Water in perspiration can absorb a great deal of heat, drawing it away from the body, thus making it seem cooler. Ceiling fans circulate air and cause evaporation of perspiration, further cooling the skin. This allows a person to feel more comfortable at a higher room temperature. Running the air conditioner less means decreased energy consumption, and therefore lower utility costs. In winter, with the fan circulating the air in a downward motion, the fan does circulate warm air downward. The benefit may be offset, however, by the air movement which causes evaporation of perspiration and thus skin cooling. A savings calculator can be downloaded from

#4 Insulation and Sealing air leaks
Sealing air leaks and improving insulation is one of the most cost effective ways to save energy. Proper insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by 20%, and overall annual utility costs by 10%. More information can be found at EnergyStar.gov

#5 Refrigerators
Energy Star refrigerators use just 40% of the energy of a refrigerator model made in 2001, and half the energy of refrigerators made prior to 1993! An older refrigerator may be responsible for the greatest percentage of a household’s energy requirements, especially ones kept in the garage. The energy saved by buying a newer model is equivalent to the energy needed to light the average household for nearly four months! More information can be found at EnergyStar.gov

#6 Dishwashers
Older dishwashers, made before 1994, are costly to run. They require more water, are less efficient to run, and use more electricity to heat the water. Replacing an older model dishwasher with an Energy Star dishwasher can save $30 a year in utility costs.

#7 Clothes Washer
Replacing a clothes washer made before 1994 to an Energy Star clothes washer can save $110 per year on utility bills and use about 60% of the water used by older washers. Front loading machines are more energy efficient than top loading machines. Front loading machines use less water. They also have higher spin speeds, decreasing the moisture content and thus decreasing the time needed to dry the clothes.

#8 Windows
Replacing single pane windows with Energy Star certified windows can save $125–$450 a year in energy costs. RemodelingOnline reports that a whole house window upgrade costs about $10,160, but adds $8,500 to the value of the home.

#9 Central Air conditioning
Upgrading to a Energy Star central air conditioning system can improve efficiency and save money. Potential buyers want to know that the basic, most costly house components (i.e., roof, windows, central air units, heating system, etc.) will not need repair or replacement soon.

Central air conditioners are rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Energy star models are approximately 14% more efficient than standard models, making them less costly to run. Replacing a central air unit may cost $2,500-5,000, but may increase the value of your home AND may save your house time on the market. Time is Money!

#10 Furnace
Like central air units, upgrading to an Energy Star furnace can also save money on utility bills. Furnaces are rated by an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). Some Energy Star rated furnace models can result in a savings as great as 15% over a standard model.

Replacing a furnace may cost $2,500-5,000, but may increase the value of your home AND may save your house time on the market. Again, time is Money!

Staging your home before the home is listed for sale may be one of the greatest returns on investments today. It is proven that a well prepared, staged home sells 50-80% faster than homes that are not.  In addition to the faster sale, the selling prices are higher for staged homes. According to the US Housing and Urban Development reports, a staged home will sell for an average of 17% more than a non-staged home. Those are astounding statistics

Envision your home as a “product” once you have listed it for sale. Just like any other product, it takes careful marketing and preparation to sell it. Staging sets your “product” apart from the vast amount of homes available that buyers have to choose from in your location and price range.

Our experienced professional home stagers know the styles and trends that appeal to today’s savvy buyers. We transform homes showing a lifestyle to buyers and showcasing a sense of possibilities throughout the home. As a part of the psychology of home buying, the process is 95% emotional and a home that is well cared for, tastefully furnished and decorated, appeals to the emotional senses.

At Hometenders, we have staged homes over a decade with great success. Our furniture styles, experienced staff, timeliness in completing the process and budget consciousness are the perfect recipe to selling your home quickly.

For a home that is already on the market and not selling, there are options: Lower the price or make the home more desirable. Staging the home is usually a far more cost effective alternative than lowering the price. If a home does not feel warm, comfortable and appealing, it is less likely to sell with repeated price reductions. Staging increases the probability of a profitable sale in a shorter amount of time.

Many homeowners are unsure of what paint colors to choose or where to move the clutter. The process of selling a home can be completely overwhelming. They often lack real estate knowledge about their local market and what homes in their price range should look like.

A Home Stager has the ability to look at a home with a fresh pair of eyes. They view the home as a highly critical buyer would see it. A professional Home Stager . . .

1. Knows what’s needed to create the right environment quickly and at the lowest cost.
2. Knows what homes in different price ranges look like and what’s selling. They will give homeowners suggestions that their real estate agent may be afraid to offer because the agent does not want to risk losing the listing.
3. Is not emotionally attached to any of the home’s contents which means that they can see the home in a way that someone who has been living there for years simply cannot. Using their fresh vision, they recommend the optimal way to re-arrange existing furniture, art and accessories.
4. Can quickly choose new paint colors, flooring, tiles, counter tops or any number of finishes. They have a ready source of painters, cleaners, handymen, off-site storage and a myriad of other services that may be needed on short notice.
5. Brings in replacement furniture, accessories and art if what is there isn’t appropriate to the home’s target market or the home is empty.

Home staging is not just for multi-million dollar homes, it can have a dramatic effect on the selling price and days on market of even a modest home.