Move Without Moving

Judy's beautiful townhouse sold the very day we spiffed it up. The search for another home was devastating because nothing seemed half as lovely as the space she'd created. When her real-estate agent called to say she had some bad news, Judy's heart sank even lower.

"I'm so sorry," the agent said, "but the buyer's funding fell through. We're right back where we started."

Knowing that the agent had just lost a nice fat commission—one she would never receive—Judy feigned dismay. Then she hung up, whooped with joy, and invited me over for a housewarming in her brand-new, same old home.

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