Answers by Stacie Stearn

It depends on your budget and timeline—but for major structural issues (like foundation), fixing them usually brings a better return. As far as Cosmetic usually some paint and flooring help. Usually with cosmetics you do not get dollar for dollar return with the current price of materials.

You’re giving her legal ownership in the property. Common ways to do it: Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS) → she automatically gets the home if you pass Tenants in Common → she owns a % now, but it doesn’t automatically transfer Transfer on Death (TOD) deed → she gets it later without owning it now (often the safest option)

1. Pull full title report 2. Identify WHO benefits from the covenant 3. Drive the neighborhood: Look for violations (ADUs, additions, conversions), 4. Talk to zoning department 5. Confirm ADU is allowed (this strengthens your argument) 6. Consult real estate attorney: ask about obsolete covenant argument

that rate is hard to come by these days! Congratulations. Your home seems small but I am sure your payment is comfortable. If you choose to sell I would look for your forever home. But Being a landlord in Columbus at a rate of 3.4% you could probably get a great monthly rental income to offset the monthly payment AND give you some retirement income in the far future!

There is not a perfect home with no flaws, not even new construction. The main point of a home inspection is to give you a complete overview of your new home. The small stuff would be your "honey to do list" for weekends. The major items are cracked heat exchanger and roof leaks. I would suggest getting an HVAC contractor out to evaluate the furnace and cost to repair or replace. the same for the roof. You can ask for a credit toward closing costs/pre paids BUT it would be better to have those items fixed because they could create bigger problems if left not corrected. Also you could ask the seller for a home warranty it usually costs about $500 this would give you peace of mind for the first year of home ownership for anything else major that would pop up.

I’m so sorry to hear your frustrations—I know how stressful that can feel. Your home truly sounds lovely. Rural properties can sometimes take a bit more effort to market simply because the buyer pool is smaller, but that just means the strategy needs to be even stronger and more focused. Real estate is definitely not a part-time job, and it’s important that your agent is fully committed and supported by their broker. The broker should ensure your home is properly marketed across all major platforms like Zillow and others. Also, just to share from experience, open houses don’t typically sell homes—they’re more often used by agents to connect with potential buyers. In my 30 years in real estate, I’ve only had one home sell directly from an open house. I would gently suggest setting up a meeting with your agent and their broker to review a clear, detailed marketing plan for your home. This should include how they plan to attract the right buyers and keep you informed throughout the process. If you’re not feeling confident after that conversation, it may be worth interviewing a few other agents to find the best fit. It’s not always about the lowest commission—it’s about strong marketing, clear communication, and someone who truly prioritizes your goals. I’m wishing you the very best and hoping things turn around quickly for you 🤍

Better options if you're struggling NOW: Refinancing isn’t always the best first move. Consider: Loan modification/working directly with your lender. Maybe they can extend your term, modify your mortgage with a lower rate, or add missed payments to balance, not show them as missed payments. OR a Temporary relief option with your lender might be Forbearance/Hardship programs

Minimum credit scores to buy a house: 580+ → FHA loan (most common low down payment option) 620+ → Conventional loan (better rates/options) 700+ → Best interest rates and lowest payments Keep in mind: Credit score is just one piece, Lenders also look at: Income, Debt-to-income ratio and Down payment

Short answer: No—county assessors can’t do private, off-the-record evaluations ( An assessor’s job is for tax purposes, and anything they do is typically public record. They won’t provide a paid, private opinion of value) What you should do instead: Hire a licensed appraiser → private, confidential report or ask a real estate agent for a CMA (comparative market analysis)