Mark Hostetler

In our hard-hit economy we've all seen the results of the housing crisis on neighbourhoods, homes emptied of residents and belongings, yards overgrown, and for sale signs peeking out of the knee high grass. We are reportedly on the verge of recovering from the residential real estate crash now and in the months to come, but the next crisis is apparently about to transpire.

When you decide to sell your home, even before you get around to staging it for sale consider downsizing your belongings. As someone who's moved numerous times both with and without children, I've come to appreciate a somewhat minimalist lifestyle when it comes time to move.

Mention the name "Nevada" and what comes to mind for most people is the brightly lit strip that runs four miles through the city of Las Vegas. In reality though, there is much more to Nevada than just neon lights and casinos.

Check out your local plants shops to see what kinds of succulents and cacti are available to buy in your area. Some native plants may also be available from cactus rescue societies who take cacti from development sites which would otherwise be destroyed.

If you love cooking, a larger kitchen with an eating area in it might be just what you need; people who love to cook sometimes get stuck in the kitchen by themselves while they're entertaining because of small kitchen spaces. If you hate cooking, then a more efficient kitchen might be what you need so that your time spent in that room is more enjoyable and less of a hassle. Many people dislike cooking because they try to cook in poorly designed kitchens.

To earn a place in her garden, plants require more than pretty petals; they have to deter pests or provide a source of food. Today, more and more people are planting similar useful gardens by combining edible plants with flowers in an effort to introduce more home grown foods in their diet.

While on the strip, and you're walking past palm trees or through a lush tropical gardens, keep in mind that this is the result of some exceptionally creative landscaping. It wasn't that long ago that this area was nothing but sand and cactus. The stark, barren desert provided the blank canvas for everyone from the first Spanish explorers, to Howard Hughes whose vision helped make Vegas what it is today.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas: Slated for a late 2009 opening, this $2.9 billion project is a combination hotel/condo/casino. The location is on 24.5 acres, north of the Riviera and consists of a 4,000 room hotel/condo and casino. The Fontainbleau is built on the same site as the El Rancho and Algiers casinos.

Brick Path: Bricks are relatively inexpensive and provide freedom to create a path in a variety of shapes and sizes. Those set in sand are not as stable as bricks with a concrete base, but a bit of movement can be expected in a brick path.

For Sale - 432-acre oceanfront estate with stunning views of San Francisco Bay. Sitting on prime Marin County waterfront land, this sprawling property has more bedrooms than you can count, multiple outbuildings, staff accommodations, and a large recreation area. Opportunities for subdividing a definite possibility.