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...

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For years, downsizing was considered a simple financial decision. Sell a larger home, buy something smaller, reduce your expenses, and enjoy the savings.

Today's housing market has complicated that equation.

Many homeowners who begin exploring a move discover that a smaller home does not always translate into dramatically lower monthly housing costs. In some cases, the savings are much smaller than expected.

The Math Has Changed

When homeowners think about downsizing, they often focus on the price of the next home.

What many don't initially consider is the interest rate attached to that purchase.

Over the past several years, mortgage rates have changed significantly. Homeowners who purchased or refinanced during periods o...

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