* Smarter Ways to Be Your Own Plumber

As a person who gets many a honey-do list, I am always on the lookout for any advise to make my tasks a success.

Plumbers can be grumpy, your home center’s plumbing aisle can be totally confusing and sometimes projects in the bathroom or around the kitchen can just be downright grimy. Here’s how to fix those creaks and drips without breaking a sweat.

1. Drip, Take 2

There’s still hope if, after making a repair to a creaky old valve, you get a small drip around its handle stem. Wind a little graphite or Teflon stem-packing material around the stem. It’s probably best to buy the material before beginning the repair — it’s only a couple of bucks, and chances are you’re going to need it.

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March Gardening Checklist

Isn’t odd the after a few days of sun people in Michigan start heading to the garden supply store. I believe that some people thing that it will bring  spring’s arrival  sooner. Here are some tips on getting ready for that arrival.

March may find you sighing with impatience as you watch yet another snowfall cover your barren container boxes, but it’s one of the most important months for gardeners.

There’s still time to do all of your prep work, from honing tools to starting seeds, as you imagine the shapes, tastes and colors of your next garden. Spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 20 or 21 — hopefully, like a lamb.

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New Law Benefits Surviving Spouses Selling Their Homes

Finally some help for surviving spouses in this challenging market. A new law gives them more time to sell.

Some widows and widowers thinking of selling their home may benefit from a new law enacted last month. The new law effectively gives them more time to sell and still be eligible for the maximum home-sale tax break available for married couples who file jointly. This change is effective on sales or exchanges beginning this year. Congress passed the new law to provide relief for surviving spouses. (Read the full article)

Real Estate Expands on YouTube – Century 21 Launches Branded YouTube Channel

Found some new information today about Century 21’s effort to make use of every resource possible to market homes in these unusual times, including the use of YouTube. To read the full story click here.

RISMEDIA, March 13, 2008-Century 21 Real Estate LLC launched a branded Channel on YouTube, one of the leading online video communities, that is dedicated to helping people showcase and search for real estate around the world. Aimed at sellers, buyers and enthusiasts, the Channel will provide the opportunity for customers and agents to create and submit user-generated content. In addition, to officially launch the branded channel on YouTube, the CENTURY 21 System will hold a national consumer-generated video contest.

“The CENTURY 21 System understands that in order to serve our clients and meet the demands of today’s market, we must lead the industry with the most current home buying and selling platforms,” said Robert Schwartz , vice president of national marketing for Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “During the next year we will continue to build on this momentum with additional Web-based innovations to help our agents and our clients navigate the world of real estate in a digital era.”

Instead of the traditional photographs, virtual tours and videos on today’s real estate sites, videos uploaded by agents and sellers on YouTube will have a personal touch that can help a prospective buyer better decide which homes may be right for their needs. A video voiceover can highlight areas of interest in the home, as well as showcase recent home upgrades or renovations to the potential buyers.