While fancy amenities like granite countertops and walk-in closets were popular before, the new budget-savvy renter is looking for a well-built and energy-efficient home. In fact, according to ApartmentGuide.com, added features that save renters money, like paid utilities and washers and dryers in units, topped the list of popular amenities from February to August 2009.

If you are planning a home do-it-yourself project but are worried about the consequences of messing up, it could be that you’re not using the right tools for the job. It may be possible to find better ways to accomplish a task — oftentimes as simple as using adhesive.

When the weather report issues an air quality warning, some people stay indoors, but there’s no guarantee that the air in the home is any healthier than the air outside. Common indoor air pollutants such as dust mite grime, pet dander, mold, tobacco smoke, and airborne allergens and germs may be lurking about without anyone ever noticing.

Home ownership has always been a part of the American dream, but that may be changing. Uncertainty in the housing market has led many would-be buyers to believe that renting’s the better option.

When it comes to basic home maintenance, many homeowners would rather pull out a toolbox than pay a repairman to fix up little dings. For others, using anything more complicated than a hammer and nail seems out of their league.