1. On the Air - Congratulations to Our Weekly Winner
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Stray Voltage
3. Short Cuts - New Product from OxiClean
4. Fun Fact - High End for the Masses
5. Dot Common Sense - www.asla.org
6. On the Wire - Top Mistakes of Home Buyers & Sellers

This week's question comes to us from Rick Weyer who listens to The Money Pit in State College, Pennsylvania. Rick says, "I just moved into a new house that underwent extensive renovations. While in the shower recently, I was shocked (mildly) when I touched the showerhead. I've determined that anywhere between 4 and 10 Volts AC potential exists between the showerhead and the drain. When I shut off all the breakers at my service panel - I still have a voltage between the showerhead and drain. Any ideas what this might be? I've had an electrician out to no avail."

Rick, that's pretty scary. It sound's like a condition called "stray voltage". Stray voltage occurs when power "leaks" back from the utility company into the ground lines for your house. It is very common and well documented in agricultural communities but of late has been more and more in the news in heavily populated areas. We suggest you do an Internet search on "stray voltage" to start educating yourself on the problem. See www.strayvoltage.org for a start. You should also file a complaint with the local utility company and/or the local Board of Public Utilities and ask for an investigation. Good luck.

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.MoneyPit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.

As you're tackling major spring cleaning projects in and around your home, check out a new product by Orange Glo International. The company has created a completely new formula of OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover. The versatility is its powder form, because it allows consumers the opportunity to tailor a solution to fit their stain problems. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover has an innovative technology that actually grabs the oxygen out of the solution, and sends it directly to the surfaces where stains exist. OxiClean is 100% chlorine free making it a safe cleaning alternative. Thorough spring cleaners can use it r to tackle their most challenging stains on everything from Venetian blinds to gutters and even patio furniture. Visit www.greatcleaners.com for purchasing information.

FUN FACT

You may not have heard the term, but more than likely you've noticed the trend. It's called "masstige" - a way to bring prestige and designer brand products to the mass market. Target was one of the first to tap into the masstige market - with designers Michael Graves doing a line of kitchen products and Izzac Mizrahi creating a clothing line for the discount retailer. Now everyone is getting in on the act - like Todd Oldham who's designing furniture for La-Z-Boy. It's being called the new luxury - for Americans who want the glamour associated with high-end designers but within a more manageable price point. And you may notice a crossover, a well-known clothing designer delving into interior design for example. Look for the masstige trend to blossom over the next several years, as style conscious consumers look for luxurious, brand name goods at bargain prices.

DOT COMMON SENSE

Check out the website of The American Society of Landscape Architects for ideas on how to increase your home's value by putting as much design emphasis on the outside of your home as the inside. The ASLA has declared April as National Landscape Architecture Month. The trend we call "beehiving" is getting bigger and even more elaborate. Homeowners are increasingly hiring landscape architects to create outdoor rooms, often with a fire pit, patio, wet bar, luxury furnishings, lighting and other amenities. There is even a sub-trend for outdoor bedrooms, so homeowners can sleep under the stars. Appliance makers are developing entire lines of outdoor kitchen appliances, from refrigerators, cook tops, and ovens, to dishwashers and wine coolers. Landscape architects are designing areas for families to cook, dine, and entertain outdoors. For more tips and information visit www.asla.org.

ON THE WIRE

Springtime is often when homes go on the market and buyers start shopping around. The biggest mistakes sellers make is not properly staging their home for potential buyers. That might involve having an objective assessment of your home. Donna and Shannon Freeman, mother-daughter real estate experts, give their unflinching opinions of each house on every episode of HGTV's "Designed to Sell". Then the show's designer uses the assessment to decide how to spruce up the home on a budget of $2,000. The Freeman's offer the following tips for buyers when shopping for a home:

• Make sure you are clean about the type of neighborhood you want as well as the price of intended purchase
• Learn to look past poor decorating of sellers
• Talk to a lender even before intending to buy
• Never work with multiple agents
• Make sure you have a home inspector to look at the property
• Avoid having a family member represent you as your Realtor

Some trends the Freeman's see:

• A great room in lieu of a formal dining area
• Lush, mature, low-maintenance landscaping
• Kitchens with double sinks, ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers
• Multiple fireplaces
• Master suite retreat
• Spa-like bathrooms
• High, cathedral ceilings
• Skylights and large windows

Check your local listings for air times of "Designed to Sell" and visit www.hgtv.com for more information.

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Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.