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Youve just moved into your starter home”congratulations! But spare cash is limited, and you are eager to show your new home off.

Start with a few cosmetic changes, advise the money editors at Bankrate.com, who offer five easy upgrade projects that can help spruce up a tired living space for a few hundred dollars or less:

Start with a power wash.It wont cost much, but having your homes exterior professionally power-washed will give it a fresh, bright look”and since curb appeal counts, make sure the lawn is edged, hedges are trimmed and weeds are pulled.

Freshen the front door.A new fiberglass door can cost $1,000 or more, but you can get a snazzy new look by simply painting the old door and/or replacing any worn-looking hardware. (While youre at it, you might replace a tired-looking mailbox.)

Paint the interior.For a minimal investment, fresh paint makes any room look cleaner and brighter. Its your space now, so cover those interior walls with the neutral shades or bolder colors that appeal to you.

Improve the lighting.Replace old ceiling fixtures with inexpensive new designs from the home store that may cost less than you imagined. While youre there, check out modestly priced DIY track lighting, spotlights and accent lights that can brighten and modernize any room.

Spruce up the kitchen.Short of replacing cabinets or countertops, you can give your kitchen a new look on a limited budget by painting the existing woodwork and/or changing outdated door and drawer pulls. If your kitchen appliances dont match, check with the manufacturer about ordering new doors or face panels.

Buff up the bath.Adding a pedestal sink can radically and economically change the look of an older bathroom. While youre thinking economically, you can install a new toilet for less than $200. It will not only look good, but todays low-flush models will save you money on the water bill.

Expand your storage space.Older homes are notoriously short on closet space. A quick trip to the home store can net you a variety of inexpensive closet organizers that may not add much to the look of your home, but will save you from crying over too-cramped closets.

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When you replace a carpet in your home, whether it’s because you are trying to improve a room before selling or redecorating once you move in, it can be challenging.

Removing the carpet itself isn’t terribly problematic, and if you have some friends willing to help, it can be done pretty easily over the course of a day, but most times, you will see marks on your floor due to the glue that was used to keep the carpet in place.

Now, this doesn’t matter much if you are only going to install new carpeting; you can simply cover it up. But a lot of homeowners are choosing to go with the natural wood floors underneath, so those marks need to be removed.

Just by using a little elbow grease and following some basic DIY instructions, you can be enjoying a hardwoodfloorbefore you know it.

First, try to figure out what type of glue you are dealing with as not all glues are the same, and removing the different kinds can require different solutions and steps. For example, tar-based adhesives are dark brown or tan, while yellow-looking adhesives signify a carpet was glued down with a more general adhesive.

Next, visit your local hardware store and buy the appropriate removal material. Tar-based glues need mineral spirits to get the job done while general adhesives are best removed with some basic adhesive remover. Both require a good deal of that elbow grease we spoke about earlier.

Once you do, removing the glue is rather simple. Scrape off any spots you can, but don’t dig in too deep or you may damage the floor. Then add the adhesive remover, spreading it out evenly. Read the instructions carefully to ensure you keep it on for the correct amount of time. Also, since many of these can be toxic, be sure to wear gloves and keep the windows open to allow ventilation inside the room.

Always use a plastic putty knife to scrape the glue away as this won’t scratch or scuff the floor like a metal tool will. If the glue isn’t completely wiped away, follow the instructions again and add more remover to the spot. This time, use an old towel to wipe away the remaining glue.

Once all the glue is gone and the floor has dried, vacuum the area so no glue particles remain. Buy some floor cleaner and polish up the wood floor so it looks brand new, and enjoy.

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While they may not be as common as their outdoor counterpart, indoor swimming pools can be a highly coveted luxury to affluent homebuyers. Whether youre a devoted swimmer or simply appreciate lounging on an inflatable at any time of year, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about this feature. If youre considering purchasing a home with an indoor swimming pool, here are just a few of the benefits you can look forward to.

Year-Round Exercise

It doesnt matter if its the middle of a blizzard or hurricane, you can still get a full body workout and enjoy the fact that your exercise routine will never be interrupted by inclement weather. As swimmers are likely already aware, this is the perfect activity to build strength and cardio abilities with low impact on your body. Who wouldnt want to do that year-round?

Private Wellness

These days, indoor swimming pools are often designed to feel like your own private wellness area. From striking glass walls that feel connected to nature and open up in the summer, to underground retreats that epitomize secluded serenity, an indoor pool is like having an oasis that you can escape to at any time.

Easy Maintenance

Because theyre protected from the elements, indoor pools typically require less maintenance and dont have to be cleaned as often as outdoor pools, which have a tendency of accumulating leaves and twigs.

Winter Pool Parties

When the temperatures get frigid and everyone feels like they could use a tropical vacation, the perfect antidote is inviting friends and family over for an afternoon of swimming and spending time together. Winter pool parties are a great activity that everyone will enjoy deep in the depths of the cold season.

No Winterizing

When the summer ends, outdoor pools need to be drained and closed for the year. Sometimes theyre damaged by weather or prolonged exposure to chemicals. However, with an indoor pool, you need not worry about any of that, meaning you can spend more time relaxing in the deep end and less time winterizing your pool.

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Do you dream of a light, airy living space? Do you want to feel like you’re living inside of a cloud? Below are five tips for a lighter living space, now.

Paint it white.Well this is an obvious one. From walls to wood paneling and hardwood floors, two coats of white paint will turn your living space into a year-round winter wonderland. Done and done!

Minimize.Do you really need all twenty of those awkward family photos on that side table? De-cluttering surfaces will lighten space with smooth lines. Cut clutter by adding hidden storage systems (like an ottoman with stow space), and minimize furniture to a handful of necessary pieces.

Add mirrors.Mirrors have long-since been a go-to trick for opening up a space. In addition to wall mirrors, consider adding mirrored back splashes or mirrored trays. Not into mirrors? Sparkle can do the trick, too. Glass-top tables and crystal candle holders, anyone?

Lighten the linens.Breezy, airy curtains and snow-white throws will make your space seem plush and comfortable, like snuggling with a sheep.

Shades of gray. To avoid looking as if you doused your house in bleach, consider adding soft, light shades of gray or blue to your color scheme.

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Everyone is familiar with For Sale or For Rent signs, but every now and again, you might be driving down a street and see a sign sitting in front of a house with the words Coming Soon instead.

So, what if it happens to be a house that you would love to own?

The National Association of REALTORS defines a coming soon property as one thats listed or unlisted that is not available for showing or sale until a later date. This can be a legitimate advertising technique as it allows the owners more time to complete repairs, pack or otherwise get a property ready for showing or sale.

A coming soon property may be either an unlisted home that will be listed with a broker in the near future, or one subject to listing agreements where property is available to potential purchasers only through the listing broker and not available, temporarily or indefinitely, for showing or purchase through other MLS participants.

Many people are drawn to things they cant have, so when they see a sign for a home thats coming soon, it adds a bit of excitement to the house hunting process. Some believe that if a potential buyer does get an appointment to view the home, they would be more willing to make an offer on a house they like for fear that it could go quickly.

Additionally, they may seem less inclined to negotiate because of the special circumstances.

Plus, by having people drool over a property for weeks, without having seen it, anticipation builds. Just think of what happens when you see a trailer for a movie you really want to see months and months ahead of when it comes out and how that excitement builds as the date gets closer. Its the same principal.

Conversely, theres a belief that a coming soon sign might scare off some potential buyers because theyre not willing to wait or simply dont understand what it all means. That could mean less people seeing the home, so less chance at an offer.

Truth is, for most coming soon properties, the current owners mainly just want to do some extra work to get a property ready”making renovations, decluttering, painting, etc.”and hope to build up a little interest as they get it ready. If youre thinking about selling your house and want to consider this strategy, talk to an experienced real estate professional as there are regulations about when and how a property can be marketed in advance.

Published with permission from RISMedia.