Each week, SMART MOVES, by Ellen James Martin, provides the practical real estate and housing information consumers need and presents it in a straightforward, down-to-earth manner. In lively, well-written prose, SMART MOVES proves useful to anyone who buys, sells, finances, owns or rents a home.

A former real estate editor for the "Baltimore Sun," Martin brings a journalist’s experience to the art of writing a national real estate column. As a longtime reporter, she understands the themes that capture readers’ attention, and has the background to offer sound advice in the fields of real estate and personal finance.

Although real estate markets are regional in many ways, SMART MOVES addresses the common elements present in all markets, and cites sources from coast to coast. Martin’s interest stretches beyond the financial aspects of real estate to include emotional issues as well blended families, grown children returning home and finding a home in a good school district.

Thoroughly researched and written in an objective style, SMART MOVES is useful in a traditional column format or as an individual news feature to strengthen and enhance a newspaper’s Real Estate, Home or Business section.