Q: I will have to sell my elderly mother’s home in “as is” condition, and possibly “with contents.” By “contents” I mean that the house is very full, almost to a hoarder’s level of junk.

Renting a house for a getaway this summer? Whether you’re staying for a week or the entire summer, you want to feel at home and at ease on your vacation. Here’s some help turning that summer rental into a place you love kicking back and relaxing in.

An outdoor shower is ideal for a nice, quick wash down with fresh water after a day at the beach, dip in the pool or swim in the lake. While you’ve probably seen custom-built outdoor showers that look like they’re an indoor bathroom with hot and cold running water, we’re talking about a more modest freestanding shower unit hooked up to a garden hose outside.

You don't have to sacrifice design for comfort in the summer. Many good-looking pieces can offer decor and function, according to design experts.

A pot filler is a fancy addition to any kitchen. Basically it's a cold water tap installed by the cooktop area, eliminating filling pots at the sink.

In recent weeks I have done quite a few telephone consultation calls. One in particular stood out, and it should be of particular interest to you if you’re planning on remodeling a kitchen or building a new home, a large room addition or even a humble outdoor shed.

Q: I read your recent article on timeshares with great interest. I would also like to get rid of a timeshare. We enjoyed the timeshare for many years when our son was growing up and the maintenance fees were at a reasonable rate. At this point in time, our son is no longer interested in vacationing with us and the maintenance fees for the timeshare have skyrocketed.