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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Every so often, a past client calls and says, "Bonnie, I think we might want to move."

My first question usually isn't, "What do you want to buy?" It is why do you want to move?

Sometimes there is a very real reason. The house is too small. The stairs have become a problem. The commute is exhausting. The family has changed, the neighborhood no longer fits, or the monthly expenses simply do not make sense anymore.

But sometimes, after living in the same house for years, people are simply ready for something to feel different.

Before giving up a mortgage payment you may never see again, I think it is worth looking at the whole picture. What are you paying now for your mortgage, taxes and HOA? What would those expenses look like in another home? Would your com...

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When homeowners think about improving their homes, they often focus on kitchens and bathrooms. Those updates can certainly add appeal, but many of the smartest investments are the ones that quietly make a home safer, more comfortable, less expensive to own, and easier to maintain. Some may not dramatically increase an appraisal, but they often make a noticeable difference in daily life.

An insulated garage door can help regulate temperatures in the garage, reduce outside noise, and improve curb appeal. Adding a garage door reinforcement strut helps prevent the door from flexing over time, especially on wider doors with automatic openers. A smart garage door opener let...

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