As the days get shorter and the weather gets steadily colder, homeowners across the country will see their power bills increase dramatically. Heating and lighting your real estate investment through the late fall and winter can cost you thousands if you’re reckless. So don’t be! Here are a few steps you can take to help keep your heating and power bills to a minimum:
- Pull the plug. Did you know that even when a device or appliance is turned off it’s still drawing power? Things like televisions, home theater equipment and stereos actually run in “standby” mode when you leave them plugged in, and they can draw as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb. If you remember to switch off your power strips or unplug the individual devices, you can easily save $10 a month on your electric bill.
- Put your computer to sleep. Much like car engines, a computer uses more energy during startup and shutdown than it does when it’s left to continuously run in a low-power state. Instead of shutting your computer down, try putting it into hibernation mode instead. You’ll save money on your power bill, and because you won’t have to boot up quite so often, you’ll save time too.
- Use small space heaters. Don’t crank up the thermostat every time your real estate investment gets a little chilly. Small, portable space heaters can warm a bedroom in minutes, and when used wisely they can save you hundreds a month on your heating bill. You can pick them up at any department store for less than $20 per unit.
- Upgrade your windows. Do you have double-paned argon-filled windows in your home? If you don’t, they’re definitely worth considering. Not only will they save you 9.8 tons of heat annually, they’ll also boost your property value significantly.
The weather might be extreme this season, but that doesn’t mean your power bill has to be. If you take the right steps to insulate your real estate investment and remember to unplug your appliances when they aren’t being used, you can keep your wallet stuffed and your property value high.


Every homeowner likes making their house unique, but it’s not always good to stand out. Sometimes what you think gives your home character will actually drive down your property value when you list your house on the market. Here are four odd threats to your sticker price you should be aware of:
If you’re into rehabbing properties, you’ll eventually come across a real estate investment whose plumbing needs a little TLC. While major work should be left to the professionals, fixing a few leaky pipes yourself is easier than it looks, and it’s a great way to pull your property value out of the basement. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Does your house feel more cramped than cozy? Are those mauve walls driving you mad? Then it’s time to give your real estate investment a much-needed facelift. Although renovating or rehabbing properties can be expensive, especially in this economy, there are a few tricks you can use to make that old house look new without breaking the bank. Here are a few to try:
If you’re rehabbing properties in areas like Connecticut or San Diego, you’ll often come across historic homes that could be quick sells with a little remodeling. While these old houses aren’t exactly known for their creature comforts, spending some money here and there to bring their technology into the 21st century can net you big returns on signing day. Here are some things you should definitely consider upgrading when rehabbing historic properties:
Flipping houses isn’t easy to begin with, but it only gets harder if you wait until the fall to start your major renovations. While you can still turn around that real estate investment for a profit, there are some seasonal hazards that you should watch out for. Here are a few:
If you’re selling your home on a tight budget, there’s no need to break the bank to raise your property value. There are a handful of projects you can do for free, all of which will go a long way towards hooking a buyer. Here are a few of them:
Just last month, Hurricane Irene caused record amounts of flood damage to Connecticut houses. While there’s nothing anyone can do about natural disasters like Irene, you can still save a flooded real estate investment if you follow the proper procedures. Here is a list of steps you should take if your home has flooded:
The Constitution State is known for its warm summers and beautiful fall foliage, but winters in New England are famously harsh. The ice and frost can take a heavy toll, especially on historic homes, and many homeowners find themselves struggling to patch up leaks in an effort to retain heat. Here are 5 ways you can take advantage of the nice weather and make sure your Connecticut property is ready for the changing seasons:
Real estate flipping tips usually tell you to update fixtures and replace the carpets, changes that can be costly and may even put you over budget. However, many savvy flippers know that with a little elbow grease and baking soda, you can make formerly grungy parts of the property sparkle. Here are a few real estate flipping tips and tricks for getting your property into shape for your open house:




