A. Ready

In the past decade, a wide array of technological innovations has made the search for real estate in Manhattan more transparent and user-friendly.

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo unit at 320 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn is in the charming converted Graham Home for Old Ladies, built in 1851. Although the first floor location might be a turn-off for some, it has private outdoor space. The apartment is spacious, with central A/C, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, good closets, a separate storage room, and a washer/dryer. The G train is across the street and the A/C lines are a few blocks away.

While very few renovation jobs are finished without at least a bit of hassle, some projects leave owners shuddering at the memory for years. On the New York Time's CityRoom blog, readers were asked to compare tales of renovation woe. Among the more unusual tales: "My contractor cemented my cat in the duct. … We had to jack hammer a portion of the slab to make the hole big enough for the cat to escape. Again the cat did not enjoy this.

Worldwide dust levels have been increasing, and it seems doubtful that trend will reverse any time in the near future, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Efforts to remove dust may actually be contributing to more dust, defined by Professor Natalie Mahowald as "soil particles suspended in the air." The three primary sources of household dust are cleaning, cooking and movement.

The Madison, a new rental building designed by the prolific Karl Fischer Architects, is located at 3692 Bedford Avenue in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. The building has a virtual doorman, a children's playroom, a roof deck, gym, parking and laundry on every floor. Apartments have individually controlled HVAC units, eco-friendly teak flooring, and kosher-adaptable kitchens.

If you're heading out to buy furniture this weekend, you may want to smarten up first by reading Smart Money's "10 Things Furniture Stores Won't Say."  Some highlights: