February is the shortest month of the year. It also tends to be one of the coldest. But that also means that spring is just around the corner. I am spending a lot of time these days reflecting on my life and my business. I turned sixty last year. I…
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
What is it that makes Christmastime the most wonderful time of the year? Certainly, for those of us who are Christians, the celebration of the birth of our Savior is the most important part of this joyous season. A little research, however, will reveal that there is very little evidence…
Gratitude in Grief
Astute long-time readers of Housing Matters may have noticed that most of the columns this year have seemed vaguely familiar. In fact, almost all of them have been reruns. I have been unable to write for most of the year after my beloved wife Barbara went to meet Jesus on…
Fall Colors
October is one of the most beautiful months in this part of the world. The mountainsides erupt in a blaze of color that is truly breathtaking. Bright and beautiful yellows, reds, and oranges take the place of the tranquil green that dominated the view all summer long. Those of us…
National Falls Prevention Awareness Week
September 18-24, 2022, is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Each year, on the first week of fall, activities and events are scheduled by the National Council on Aging to raise awareness of the problems associated with falling and offer practical solutions to help reduce the incidence and severity of falling,…
Accessible Vacations To Try This Summer
It’s summertime and that means it’s time to do some traveling. If you have mobility challenges, traveling can present challenges that others don’t have to deal with. Although ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires that all businesses with public accommodations offer facilities that will be accessible by all people without…
Are you a Planner or a Procrastinator?
Are you a planner or a procrastinator? Do you view making plans to live independently in your home for years to come as smart planning or as surrender to the ravages of aging? How you answer these questions will help determine whether your actions will lead to a greater possibility…
Would You Like a Safer Home and Tax Savings?
I have been telling you about the Livable Homes Tax Credit for years in Housing Matters. The LHTC is the Virginia state income tax credit that allows homeowners or contractors to take up to $5,000 off their state income tax liability if they build an accessible home or make accessible…
To Grandmother’s House We Go
When I was a boy, we lived on a farm in Rockbridge County. We had over 200 acres of woods and rolling hills to explore. My grandmother lived right across the road. We always enjoyed walking across the road to visit my grandmother. She always took time to talk with…
Could You Use a $5,000 Tax Credit?
If you followed my advice last year and took steps to make your home safer and more accessible you may qualify for a tax credit. The Livable Homes Tax Credit is a Virginia income tax credit for building or buying a home with certain accessibility features or for remodeling to…