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Dress up the house
Everybody’s watching the home makeover shows these days. Hiring a designer to spruce up your home can cost as little as $150 for a consultation, says Denver home stager Lynn Hodges. For a few hundred more, she’ll bring plants, modern art, and furniture. Your sales agent will often pick up the tab. Research comparable prices To get the latest sale prices for similar properties in the neighborhood you’re looking in, ask your real estate agent for recent sales data from the multiple listing service. Home appraisal sites such as Zillow. com that rely on deed or mortgage filings can be a few months behind.