From the information given, the reason for the low sound levels from the DVD player are likely because you are using your 2 channel TV speakers instead of a receiver which can decode the 5.1 to 7.1 channels of sound provided on the DVD. At the main menu for a DVD, Try selecting Setup, Audio and pick Dolby 2.0 or whatever 2 channel audio track is available if possible. That should improve the sound level of dialogue that would normally come from the center channel in a 5.1 speaker configuration. Some DVD's may not have a 2 channel mode available.

We just went from a 27" crt tv to a 42" LCD Emerson (bought at WalMart on Black Friday) for Christmas. We LOVE it. It's not even hooked up to HD, just DirecTV. We've only seen HD on it when I get a blu-ray from NetFlix. We really love the picture. We also got a Sony blu-ray player that can stream NetFlix. We got the 4 Monster HDMI cables (5 feet) on Black Friday for $10.00 each. We also got a Wii, which we also love. The bowling is so much fun. We will probably get a Wii Fit for it, too. When we get back to MN, we will get a 46" Sony Bravia or a 50" Sanyo plasma. Our tv has a refresh rate of 60, it works for us. And it cost $398 on Black Friday. The LED and the plasma have beautiful pictures, but the LED is a jump in price. I think they will drop though, as the stores push 3D more. The LED is noticeably brighter than the LCDs, to me. But they all look wonderful in the big sizes compared to a 20 or 26" CRT tv. Like being at the movies!

When I've had my home on the market, there has always been at least one realtor who doesn't leave a card. They are busy talking to the client, flipping on lights or whatever. Or maybe they run short while they are out for the day. As for not calling your agent, you are making some big assumptions that the buyer and/or agent tried to raise and lower the door (not something most folks do on a first viewing of a property -- or that I've ever done prior to an inspection) and knew that the wires had come loose. Chances are greater they came undone when your DH left and that the buyer and agent just stuck their nose in the door of the garage and saw how big it was, whether there were any cabinets or shelves built-in, etc and went back into the house -- IF they looked at the garage at all. If that was a new garage door and both wires came undone, it really sounds like a bad installation job. I'd call the company that did the installation and have them come take care of it. If it was DIY, time to call a garage door pro. I wouldn't worry about the lock box. The simple explanations are usually the right ones.

I love your current setup and you could add wood shelves to either side. At this point, the larger television is really just a splurge if you have extra bucks. If you are not blind and can see, and most of the time what is on tv is hardly worth watching or paying the cable bill for...lol....that is a beautiful credenza. What a treasure. Toss the tv, and place some other treasures atop it for a very special room. Love your home! I rather like that 2nd photo from Dr Bev, too...