Did you know the U.S. population is becoming increasingly older and diverse? What's more, our nation's population is expected to increase by 100 million people in the next 30 years!

A report released by the National Association of Home Builders in January 2010 indicates that homebuilding trends are shifting to meet the new demands of present and future homebuyers. Specifically, homes built in 2010 will likely be smaller and lower-priced models that offer more energy-efficient features.

The following items are reported as most likely to be found in new homes in 2010:

• Walk-in closet in master bedroom
• Laundry room
• Insulated front door
• Great room
• Low-emittance (Low-E) windows
• Linen closet
• Programmable thermostat
• Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
• Separate shower and tub in master bathroom
• Nine-foot ceilings on first floor

These features will likely replace those that are less essential or more costly, such as outdoor kitchens, two-story foyers and multiple shower heads in master bathrooms. Homes that are easier to maintain are in, and energy inefficiency is becoming a trend of the past. For more information regarding homebuilding trends and homebuyer preferences visit www.nahb.org.

If you've been considering updating appliances within your home, the coming weeks may be the perfect time to act. The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $23,341,000 to the state of Texas to support the Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate Program. This program is designed to boost the Texas economy and energy conservation by encouraging consumers to replace outdated appliances with new, energy efficient, ENERGY STAR® or CEE qualified models.

Qualified consumers will be eligible to receive two appliance rebates and two recycling bonus rebates per household, granted the appliances are purchased from a Texas retail location or contractor. Beginning April 5, 2010, rebates may be reserved via phone or online registration. The rebates will apply only to appliances purchased from April 16 - 25, 2010.

For more information on qualification requirements, appliance categories and rebate amounts, visit www.texaspowerfulsmart.org. Happy shopping!

Presenting an attractive home to potential buyers can greatly increase your chances of selling your house quickly. Try the following tips:

1. Float the furniture. Though it may seem natural to push furniture against the walls, try "floating" the furniture to make more intimate spaces for conversation. Lisa LaPorta, designer on HGTV's Designed to Sell, recommends visualizing a figure-eight or the letter H and placing furniture in that pattern. Just remember to create clear pathways for traffic to help the flow of the room.

2. Work those windows. Window dressings can serve as the perfect accent to any room. If the room is small, consider opaque curtains, which allow more light to shine through and give the room a bigger feel. If your windows are narrow, extend the curtain rods about a foot on each side to give an illusion of width. Remember that curtains featuring vertical patterns create an elongated effect; this style compliments most windows in a home.

3. Love that color. Painting is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to revive a home. Keep in mind that painting walls with a rich color can make the spaces more intimate, dramatic and cozy, while lighter, paler shades help rooms appear more spacious. When in doubt, go neutral.

4. Re-hang invisible art. Instead of hanging art along an invisible line encircling each room, consider hanging pieces in diagonal, triangular or vertical patterns. Michael Friedes, a stager with Nest Home Design, says this creates visual interest and can help direct the eye toward interesting features in a room, such as a bay window or high ceilings.

5. Accessorize in threes. When creating displays for table tops, shelves, walls and other spaces around your home, experts recommend accessorizing in odd numbers - especially groups of three-and grouping objects by unifying elements, such as color or texture. Display items of various heights and widths with the largest objects in the back.

6. Get some flower power. Seasonal flowers help a home appear fresh, clean and beautiful. Whether you showcase budding magnolia clippings in spring or holly branches in winter, there are beautiful arrangements to display in any season. You can't make mistakes when arranging flowers, so remember to get creative and have fun!

Know that your REALTOR® has a powerful network of industry professionals and can help find a professional stager to meet your needs, should you decide to go that route. For more tips on how to improve the appearance and increase the value of your Austin home, visit the "Consumer Tools" section of AustinHomeSearch.com.

March is upon us, and that means there are plenty of fun events to keep you busy in Austin, Texas.

Zilker Park Kite Festival (March 7, 2010) - The first Sunday in March brings one of the most anticipated outdoor family events in Austin: the Zilker Park Kite Festival. Whether you bring a kite to fly or a blanket to sit and watch the action, this event is free and open to the public.

South By Southwest (March 12 - 21, 2010) - Thousands of people flock to Austin every March for this series of music, film and interactive conferences and festivals, networking events and after parties that keep attendee's creative juices flowing well beyond the last official event. SXSW is a must-attend for those looking to discover emerging musical artists, film-making trends and/or social media tools that are shaping the future.

Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo (March 12 - 27, 2010) - Whether you're a homegrown cowboy or someone who's just along for the ride, Rodeo Austin has something for you to enjoy. Between the competitive events, fairgrounds and nightly concerts, you'll find yourself saying "Yee haw!" before you know it.

Great Urban Race Austin (March 27, 2010) - If you're looking for an outdoor adventure, this event is for you. Teams of two will discover Austin in a fresh new way while racing to solve twelve clues. Costumes are encouraged.

The list doesn't stop here. Check out the events calendar compiled by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau for a deeper look into the action-packed month ahead.