Home Improvements That Are Cost Effective

Spring is just around the corner and some homeowners get the urge to improve their habitat. With the questionable economy, it is more important than ever to make wise decisions when considering home improvement. From programmable thermostats to smart switches and appliances, there are a variety of simple updates a homeowner can make to save money in the long run. Check out this slideshow of 13 maintenance updates for homeowners and see if they meet your criteria for cost effective improvements.(Christopher Solomon, MSN Real Estate)