5 Home Upgrades Under $100

Irvine, CA, Mar 3, 2015—Looking to give your home an upgrade but lacking a big budget? According to Elsie Parker, REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Award, there are tons of small home tweaks all packing serious redesign punch. Here are five home upgrades for under $100.

(Image via Freedigitalphotos.net)

Paint. Painting has long been the budget designer's best friend. “A coat of paint can make a room feel fresh and new, and leaves ample room for creativity,” says Elsie. You can completely recolor the whole room, or add an extra accent pop on one wall.

Get new drapery. New curtains for the living room or bedroom can offer an interesting new look with minimal effort and cost. “Go seasonal with colors--think yellow for spring and bright blue for summer--or simply swap to a heavier fabric once winter arrives,” suggests Elsie.

Lighting upgrade. Install new lighting in a previously drab room to give it an immediate visual upgrade. “Bathrooms are often in need of a lighting upgrade, but another frequent offender is the front entryway, where guests view your home for the first time,” notes Elsie.

Replace hardware. Replacing the hardware on your cabinets is an easy way to give your kitchen a bit of bedazzling without breaking the bank.

Create a door shelf. Adding a shelf above a door way not only creates more storage room, but is an elegant place to display photos or books. Simply add a wooden shelf above your door and then paint it to match the door's trim.

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For additional information on home upgrades and real estate, please contact Elsie Parker, at eparker@century21award.com, (714) 402-0567, or www.esphomes.com

For more real estate information, please contact CENTURY 21 Award at info@century21award.com, (800) 293-1657, or CENTURY 21 Award.

Four Ways to Save Big on Winter Travel

Winter months are generally less expensive for travelers. Booking platform One Degree World (www.1degreeworld.com) recommends that snow birds take advantage of winter travel deals with these tips.

(Image via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Choose your booking day wisely.
Try to book airfare mid-week and travel off-season, advises Aleza Freeman, One Degree World. “I always pick a general timeframe in which I’d like to travel, then let the prices dictate the actual dates,” she says. “If you can’t be flexible, try booking at the last-minute.”

Consider a stay-cation.
For those of us lucky enough to live in vacation areas, be a tourist in your own town. Oftentimes locals are eligible for huge discounts on hotels and attractions, and you just may discover some hidden gems you never knew existed.

Find local hot spots.
It’s no secret that prices skyrocket in tourist areas. Explore off the beaten path and go to local haunts, which are often less expensive than tourist trap establishments. “There’s absolutely no reason to stick to the typical attraction these days,” Freeman says.

Splurge on priorities.
If staying in the lap of luxury is your thing, don't skimp on the hotel. Instead, try to get a great deal on a flight. Are you a foodie? Make sure you eat at the best places, but look for lower priced hotels for your accommodations. "There's a deal out there for everything," Freeman says. "You just have to find the one that's right for you."

Source: One Degree World

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.