So, you’ve decided it’s time to place your house on the market

Here, Trulia.com offers a few strategic and affordable improvements costing less than $1,000 that can help increase the value of your home and attract potential buyers.

1. Install a programmable thermostat

Heating your home accounts for more than 40 percent of its total energy usage, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Programmable thermostats allow you to customize a temperature profile throughout the day, and with energy costs on the rise, many buyers will appreciate the forward thinking in helping them with long-term savings.

2. Update your fixtures

Take a critical look at your bathroom and kitchen. Could the drawer pulls and cabinet handles use an update? If new kitchen cabinets are outside of your budget, consider using new hardware to update the room’s entire look and feel. What about the faucets? A sleek new kitchen faucet with a sprayer combines practicality with design and will be appreciated by buyers.

3. Replace the toilet

Replacing an old, cracked or outdated toilet can make a significant impact on your bathroom aesthetics. Purchase a stylish new one for a few hundred dollars or take the environmentally friendly route and opt for an almost-new secondhand toilet (just be sure to buy a new seat). Repurposed construction material outlets offer a variety of well-priced goods.

4. Re-glaze the bathtub

Most buyers are hoping to see a sparkly new tub when they pull back the shower curtain. Exceed their expectations for just a few hundred dollars by re-glazing your existing tub. Just roll up your sleeves for a do-it-yourself weekend or call in the professionals; either way, you’ll come in under budget.

5. Install a tile floor

Tiles are easy to clean, resist microbes and allergens, and wear well in high-traffic areas, making them the ideal material for the bath. Flooring liquidators typically sell a variety of quality tile, so start there. If your bathroom is small, you probably can even splurge on some designer options and save the rest of your budget for a professional installer.