Buzzword: Brickor Mortis

What it means. This buzzword, derived from rigor mortis, comes to us from Great Britain, where many homes are made of brick and wordplay often takes a macabre turn. With the housing market in some areas across the pond in tough shape, brickor mortis—describing the paralyzed state of home sales and purchases—is said to be setting in at a swift pace.

Why the buzz? England and the United States of America are said to be two countries divided by a common language. We now also share something else: a glut of unsold homes. In January 2008, 32 percent of London residences on the market had been for sale for three months or longer. By August, that figure was up to 51 percent. One silver lining in the trend: the divorce rate in England and Wales is at a 26-year low, according to a BBC report, prompting speculation that plunging house prices might be keeping couples together.

Whether or not U.S. divorce rates follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen. But brickor mortis seems to have set in here, too. On September 17, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that housing starts for August were fewer than expected, sinking activity to a 17-year low. "Builders understand that there is still a substantial amount of unsold inventory to be worked down," noted Sandy Dunn, president of the National Association of Home Builders, in what could be considered the understatement of the year.

If you are selling or buying a new home, be sure to read our special section on real estate, which tells you the best way to price your home and lays out the right projects to do before you sell your home.

You'll likely get the best return if you spruce up the outside of your home by adding a deck, new energy-efficient windows, or new siding, according to a 2007 nationwide survey of real-estate professionals conducted by Remodeling magazine.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Learn how to get your house ready to be sold from a professional stager. And use our Home Improvement Guide interactive for advice on products and materials for any area of your house.