DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, my parents gave me a beautiful piece of property and the opportunity to build a small house, mortgage-free. The problem is, during those few years, I married and started a family. We have now outgrown the house and are in desperate need of an upgrade.
We’d like to sell the house and use the funds to buy something more accommodating. Adding on is not an option, as our funds are limited, and we could use the proceeds from the sale to buy something we won’t have to fix up.
I don’t know how to break the news to my parents that we want to sell. My father worked hard to provide this opportunity for me, and I don’t know how to say it. Any advice? -- IN A DILEMMA IN MICHIGAN
DEAR DILEMMA: Tell your father you are grateful for the effort it took for him to give you the chance to own a home of your own. Then bite the bullet and point out that since the house was built, your family has grown to the point that it is no longer practical, so you would like to sell it and use the money to move to a larger place that can more comfortably accommodate your needs. To do that is not unreasonable or ungrateful.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
