All that on top of you not wanting to move, there are other investments I’d choose personally that would be a path of lower resistance.

Homeowners generally resist lower prices as much as they can, even if that means waiting for a better market.Because of that home prices are also quite resillient to economic depressions; you you look at the last 6 only 2008 has brought a decrese in home values - and that was a special situation.

These are recession resistant commercial properties.

@Ivan Chavez if you really want to go above and beyond: clean out gutters, inspect all appliances (or at least those you provide) ice and vinegar in the disposal, check stove elements and use oven cleaner, run vinegar or bleach through the washer, vinegar or bleach in the dishwasher, clean the dishwasher strainer, check light bulbs in vent hood and change charcoal filter, electrical system check-make sure gfci work with a tester (not the button), check all bulbs, fans, and outlets, plumbing check for leaking toilets, dripping p traps under the sinks, you can also check resistance on electrical water heater elements to make sure they aren't busted.

(We have an IRS lien that will be paid off in four years and I am pretty sure that could be worked around.)My wife is hell-bent on being able to "burn the mortgage" as soon as possible and is resisting refinancing with a $30K cash-out to drastically improve the functionality, curb appeal, and comfort of the home we've lived in for 35 years.I feel we should do the refi, make the house new again, and enjoy where we live. 

Redguard acts as a moisture resistant barrier on top of your cement board.

I'm seeing that there is a strong resistance in certain neighborhoods (maybe rightfully so if there have been poorly overseen party houses in the neighborhood). 

I'm resisting articulating all the reasons why their email was out of line and that the increase was justified, but I am sure that will come across and defensive.I am now thinking this might be a case of "keyboard cowboy" syndrome on their part. 

That means seven bazzilionty circuits in the kitchen, one outlet on every wall in the bedrooms that is at least 3' long and one every 6' on each wall, tamper-resistant outlets where needed, GCFI where needed, etc. 

Part of this is that someone told the PO that she should use the ultra low resistance HVAC filters as long as they're replaced monthly, which meant that there was dust build up on weird places.