Branden Schroeder

Well done women! You did not sit and cry for a man's help when the plumbing leaked! According to two recent surveys, you have successfully embraced the do-it-yourself market. Yes, more women than men are now shopping for builder's supplies and more women than men are planning and tackling home improvement projects. Research published in a Yankelovich Monitor study and also research by Home Depot has shown that women are outnumbering men in the home improvement markets.

One way to catch a prospective buyer's attention to your listing is to mention the water feature that is installed in your back yard. We all love them, especially when they are already set up and running. There are many reasons why a water feature draws everyone's attention, including the hypnotic effect of watching the never ending motion of water; it is said that the sound of running water is relaxing.

Sometimes it seems like we don't notice all our home's flaws until it comes time to sell. Because we live in our home every day, we become accustomed to dealing with minor annoyances, and tend to overlook the gradual accumulation of natural wear and tear. For those of us with pets, this wear and tear can be greatly accelerated.

It is just a little bit ironic that landscaping, the practice of caring for and arranging the earth and growing things in a certain area, can potentially be one of the worst things for adding toxic pollution to the ground.

If you are thinking of putting your house on the market, it could make a big difference if you take a few weeks to improve it first. It is easy to make a home look more inviting without breaking your budget.

Chesapeake Bay and its many Maryland tributaries offer some of the most beautiful waterfront areas in the country. It's no surprise that this area is popular with the boating population – many home owners here enjoy waterfront access. However, some may be surprised to know that local boaters are actually helping to clean up local waters.

Good for the Maryland Public Service Commission for giving 250,000 Maryland residents two free CFLs each to test out this new bulb. Not all compact light bulbs are equal, and most of us know nothing about them - so here's a little information to help when choosing CFLs.

Made any New Year resolutions? How about making some for your home? What of: 'I will boost my savings'? How about: 'I will look for economical ways to increase the value and livability of my home?' and the big one: 'I will get my home finances in order'?

By her own account, Claire's beautiful 19th century Victorian home also has the world's smallest bathroom.

You know the smell of new paint, the one that gives you a slight headache? That's the smell of the paint releasing toxin-containing fumes which may be harmful to you and your family.