As winter wanes and spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to better prepare your home to optimize energy efficiency. From small adjustments to more significant upgrades, read on for ideas that will save you money, decrease energy usage and make your home eco-friendlier. Conduct a Home Energy Audit A good place to start: Perform a home energy assessment to identify areas where your home could function more efficiently. You can do your own evaluation, hire a professional or reach out to your utility company, which may provide free or discounted audits. The U.S. Department of Energy offers guidance on how to conduct a simple walk-through of your home to spot potential problems…

Tune in for this event! The State of the Economy: What Might We Anticipate?With Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. Internationally Acclaimed Economist, Public Speaker and Author of the 70 Words on the Economy Blog When: Thursday, February 6Broadcast #1: 3 pm ET / 1 pm MT / Noon PTBroadcast #2: 6 pm ET / 4 pm MT / 3 pm PTWhere: Via video stream using provided link – watch on your computer, tablet or smart device. Please consider taking advantage of this educational, entertaining event – visit CBEconomicSummit.com to RSVP by February 5! If you have any real estate questions or if you or anyone you know needs real estate help, please…

Thinking about upgrading your property in the new year? Since the housing market is expected to remain competitive, it’s more important than ever to consider improvements. Read on for tips to elevate your quality of living and your home’s desirability. 1. Revamp Your Kitchen A well-designed kitchen remains a surefire way to add value. Kitchen improvements can yield a 70 to 80% return on investment when it’s time to sell. Consider replacing old countertops with quartz or granite, updating appliances and refacing cabinetry. Even smaller upgrades like a modern backsplash can deliver great visual impact. 2. Renovate Bathrooms Remodeled bathrooms are another biggie on a buyer’s wish list. If you go the…