NATIONAL
TAX DAY APRIL 15
Wednesday • April 15, 2026 Real Estate Specialists
Real Estate Questions & Answers CATHY & JIM HIGGINS Question: We have a bedroom in our basement. The appraiser said it is not a bedroom and our home appraised at less than sale price. How could they say it is not a bedroom when we have beds in there and our sons slept there for 13 years? We are not happy about this! Answer: I understand your frustration. You have a nice home, both parties agreed to the sale price, you made it through the home inspection and everyone is happy. Then the appraiser steps in and ruins this perfect deal. Although your home obviously has a bedroom in the basement, it does not meet the bedroom criteria that an appraiser uses. This may vary from state to state, but generally a bedroom is considered a bedroom by an appraiser if it has 2 ways of egress (door and/or window). The bedroom must be at least 70 sq. ft, and it cannot be smaller than 7 ft in any
horizontal direction. Sorry, that 2’x35’ room is not abedroom. The escape window or door must be at least 5.7 sq. ft for an opening. But guess what? It doesn’t need a closet according to the appraiser! NOTE: It would be a good idea to put at least an armoire in that bedroom to satisfy your buyer. The Conclusion: It may look like a bedroom, it may have a bed like a bedroom and you sleep in it like a bedroom, but according to the appraiser, it doesn’t quack like a bedroom. Thinking of Selling? Call Cathy & Jim Higgins for a Market Evaluation on your Home: Ind: 219-5775905 Ill: 708-828-3304. Licensed Broker/Realtors in Indiana & Illinois. McColly Real Estate. Website: www.Cathyhiggins.com - Our Personal Real Estate Journal: www.Higginshousechat.blogspot.com
Y? WHY NOT!
Sorry Or Not Sorry? by Janice R Newman “I’m sorry” carries a lot of weight. Sorry can mean you did something wrong or that you’re showing regret or remorse. It can be used to apologize or express sympathy, such as in the case of a loss. Saying you’re sorry can defuse a situation. It can mend broken relationships. It can also teach us to be humble. Although with all these meanings and usages, many people still struggle to say, “I’m sorry”. Why is that? Sometimes it’s our pride and ego. It prevents us from admitting we’re wrong, which can feel uncomfortable, and it requires humility. Ironically, many people expect others to apologize to them, but they often refuse to apologize. Pride and ego can create a wall that stops us from saying those two simple words. However, saying “I’m sorry” has real power. It can calm a situation and prevent small issues from turning into major conflicts. It can heal broken relationships and lead to understanding and love. When we apologize, we show that we care about others’ feelings. We learn to see the other person’s point of view. Recently, a friend told me about an interaction with her principal, who asked her—while others were present—to join a committee. My friend already had several after-school responsibilities, so she responded bluntly, listing all her commitments and implying the principal should have known. She was not polite, as she felt that she shouldn’t have been asked. I asked her why she didn’t simply say, “I’m sorry, I currently have too many activities.” Her response surprised me. She said, “I have nothing to be sorry about. Real women don’t say ‘I’m sorry.’” That statement raised a serious question: Does saying “I’m sorry” make someone look weak or display low confidence? Some people believe it does. They see an apology as a loss of power or confidence. But that’s not true.
It takes strength to admit when you are wrong. It takes courage to take responsibility for your actions. Saying “I’m sorry” is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of being humble and mature. I later thought back, I’ve never noticed her say sorry to anyone for anything. She rarely, if ever, apologized— to anyone. This has affected many areas of her life, including her marriage, children, and work. Those areas are in conflict because the words “I’m sorry” were never spoken. Sometimes, those two words are exactly what others are waiting to hear to mend the relationship. Of course, not every apology is sincere. Some people say “sorry” without meaning it. But a genuine apology does more than smooth things over. It creates a sense of conviction. It reminds us of the impact our actions have on others. That feeling can help us grow and avoid repeating the same mistakes. We are all responsible for our actions and their consequences. Do you allow your ego and pride to destroy your life because of refusing to say those two words? I always thought it was honorable to admit that you’re wrong and apologize. It takes courage and confidence to admit faults, regrets, or even to take the high road to diffuse a situation. I’m reminded of the Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 “Love is patient and kind…it does not rejoice at wrongdoing.” Refusing to apologize when we’re at fault manifests as rejoicing, resentment, and arrogance, not love. Choosing to apologize can bring peace and restoration. If more people were willing to set aside their pride and speak those two simple words, we might see less anger, hostility, and bitterness in the world. How can someone not say, “I’m sorry”? I wonder if they can even say “I’m sorry” to God and mean it. Y? Why Not! Like us on Facebook https://www. facebook.com/ywhynotshow/
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