Posts in category 'Homeownership'
17
Are We Expecting Too Much From the House We Call Home?
Sometimes the life we're searching for has very little to do with the house itself.
I was recently studying Abraham's faith in Hebrews 11, and something occurred to me that I had never really connected to real estate before. Abraham left his home, his family, and everything familiar to follow God's calling. He didn't know exactly where he was going or what his future would look like. Yet he trusted that God had his everlasting future managed.
As I thought about that, I began thinking about the people I've worked with over the years who were searching for a home. Buying a house is rarely just about finding four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a nice backyard. Quite often, people are searching for s...
3
A Little Light and a New Beginning: A Client Story at The Battery at Park West
Sometimes the story behind a sold sign includes a few months of patience, a willingness to make changes, and an ongoing conversation about lightbulbs.
That was certainly true of my seller's condo at 1508 Basildon Road in The Battery at Park West. This one-bedroom home in Mount Pleasant had plenty to appreciate, but helping buyers see it meant paying attention to how it felt when they walked through the door.
Before we listed, he decluttered and had the condo cleaned. He also put in brighter lightbulbs for the listing photographs. Everything was ready for its introduction to buyers. Then, the next thing I knew, the dim lightbulbs were back in.
I had to smile. He knew what he liked living with, and I understood that. But the lighting that feels comfortable when you are relaxing at home can create a different impression for someone seeing it for the first time. I kept encouraging him to give buy...
28
Three Places Lowcountry Homeowners Can Ask for Help With Home Improvements
A home repair can become necessary before it fits comfortably into the budget. For homeowners in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, these three programs are practical places to ask about assistance. Eligibility depends on the household, the property, and available funding.
For a home that is difficult to heat or cool, start with South Carolina's Weatherization Assistance Program. It helps income-qualified households improve their homes' energy efficiency. The work is based on an assessment of the home and may include improvements such as insulation or air sealing. Learn more and find the agency serving your area at https://oeo.sc.gov/managedsites/prd/oeo/weatherization.html.
25
Before You Replace Your HVAC, Windows or Insulation: A South Carolina Program Worth Watching
26
Sometimes the Fix Is Smaller Than the Problem Feels
Owning a home means there will always be something that needs attention. Some repairs are large, expensive, and absolutely require a trained professional. Others are much smaller than they first appear. The difficult part is often figuring out which is which. Recently, Terry and I had one of those experiences at my daughter's house.
One room in her home was not cooling as well as the others. We discovered that a section of ductwork in the attic had lost much of its insulation. I asked about having that particular section repaired, but the answer I received was that the ductwork would need to be redone instead of simply rewrapping the damaged area. There may have been valid reasons for that recommendation, including warranty, liability, or workmanship concerns, but it was a much larger solution than the problem we were trying to solve.
So we started asking more questions....
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