Rob Thomson

A small, unorganized kitchen can be a pretty big turn off for buyers because the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in pretty much anyone's home. While a small kitchen can be difficult to work in, a poorly laid out small kitchen is an even bigger obstacle to overcome for a buyer who is interested in your home. The key to this issue is making the small space work better for you.

Set up your bathroom like a hotel bathroom or spa: thick lush bathrobes hung on hangers, matching containers of shampoos and soaps on the countertop, rolled up facecloths in a ceramic bowl tied with a ribbon, these all help add to the spa atmosphere. You may want to buy a new set of lush white towels just for when home tours or open houses are going on as well so that you don't have to scramble to find a matched set in your linen closet before buyers come.

Americans looking for choices in banking are going to find it a little tougher to find options as of this month. Topping last year's 140 bank closures, the recent situation with an additional 4 failed banks brings the number of failed banks this year to 143. Many of the hardest hit states of these bank closures are the same ones that are hardest hit with the real estate crisis since the recession began, including California, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois.

The nation has been eagerly watching for signs of economic recovery ever since the beginning of the current financial down slide. Over the past few months there have been rumblings of a possible economic recovery but economists are stating now that we are already experiencing the beginning of a second drop of home prices across the country.

Update Your Home: If you're decorating style is still stuck in the 80's, or is in anyway dated, it's time to make some changes. A great way to learn about the latest greatest decorating styles is to tour some model homes. Make note of the paint colors, furniture layout, accessories and light fixtures. Go home and start bringing your place into the 21st century.

Olympia features Mediterranean style homes with stucco exteriors and Hacienda S-tile roof, fully landscaped lots and brick paved driveway. This gorgeous resort-style community is set among 240 acres of lakes and wetland and the 100-acre Lake Olympia.

Initially, 30 homes will be unveiled, but upon completion a forecasted 450 luxury residences will grace the 980 acre development, with over half the property set aside for preserved land or water features.

The fissure-like fracture was discovered within the 15-story building support structure. The 24 inch concrete slab on the fourth floor that sustains the upper floors had shifted. We're not talking a small pressure crack, this was damage that resembled the aftermath of an earthquake. The Mowrey's, live-in building superintendents, said the walls in their condo had buckled, cabinets were barely hanging on and the concrete floor was completely cracked.

Reupholstering isn't cheap, but it's a great way to transform a dated piece of furniture into something almost new. Choose a fashionable fabric such as an imitation suede and have throw pillows made in complimentary colors.

This particular spot with its nice view and higher elevation, would make a perfect retreat. We took her advice, and proceeded to set this spot aside from the rest of the lawn by creating a floral hedge. We extended our rock path to weave through this area and poured gravel. Finally, we added a concrete bench, birdbath and some planters. Now we had a secluded spot to escape with our morning coffee and enjoy the view.