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Articles By Ilyce

Ilyce Glink is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist, television reporter and radio talk show host who is widely known for her expertise on trends and issues in real estate and finance. Her syndicated column REAL ESTATE MATTERS offers common sense information and practical insights for anyone thinking about buying, selling, rehabbing or refinancing a home.

  • In-Laws Headed For Bankruptcy Court - A reader has become aware that her in-laws have significant credit card debt and spending habits that are out of control. Ilyce suggests that the family sit down and review the numbers or watch their parents end up in bankruptcy court.

  • Ex-Husband Signs Quitclaim Deed - A reader gained ownership of her house when her ex-husband signed a quitclaim deed. He seems to misunderstand the meaning of a quitclaim deed versus a mortgage. Ilyce helps the reader understand these ownership issues.

  • Buying New Ranch Condo - A reader is thinking of buying a ranch condo. These are free standing homes that abide by condominium rules and have the benefit of some exterior maintenance handled by the association. Ilyce discusses the benefits and drawbacks in buying into these new developments.

  • Warranty Deed and Quitclaim Deed - A reader is having trouble demonstrating ownership of his home to address issues with a siding contractor. He has tried to establish ownership of their home with a quitclaim deed. Ilyce and Sam explain that title insurance could solve this problem.

  • Loan Approval Letter Declined - A reader had a buyer for their home with a loan approval letter. The buyer's financing was then declined. Ilyce and Sam explain loan approval and commitment letters and discuss any recourse the seller may have.

  • Concern About Stated Income Mortgage Loans - A lender touches base with Ilyce about loan options for people with a high debt-to-income ratio. Asset/Stated Income products can help people but be very careful about predatory lenders.

  • Conducting and Benefiting from an Energy Audit - What is an energy audit and why should I have one? Ilyce meets with expert, Michael Lotesto, to learn how to save money on your home's energy costs.

  • Financing New Construction - A reader is living in a home worth a considerable amount but would like to build a new home due to a job relocation. Ilyce helps this reader sort through some different financing options.

  • No Need To Attend Closing - A reader is wondering if they need to attend the closing on a sale of their property. Ilyce suggests giving power of attorney.

  • Selling Nightmares: How a few months can change an entire marketplace - Unfortunately for home sellers nationwide, the red hot seller’s market of the last few years has cooled – dramatically in some places .The best thing you can do is be realistic about your local market. Here are some things to keep in mind.

  • Assessing Closing Costs - A home owner refinanced their home and paid $10,000 in closing costs. Ilyce explains the different components of closing costs and gives advice to those refinancing.

  • Seller Disclosure Laws - A reader purchased a home that has turned into a nightmare. The seller lied about the condition of several things, including the roof. Ilyce and Sam explain about seller disclosure laws.

  • FHA Loans - A reader has discovered that their mortgage is not FHA guaranteed. Ilyce and Sam give advice about how to place a complaint against the lender.

  • Helping Mother With Estate Planning - A reader is concerned about what will happen to her mother's land after she passes on. She is worried that her brother will claim the land because he has been using it for his horses. Ilyce suggests the siblings and mother sit down together with an estate attorney.

  • Working 9 to 5: How To Get More of What You Want - Consider negotiating non-cash compensation with your employer. Anyone can ask for alternatives to a raise such as more time off, better healthcare benefits or a better schedule.

  • Monthly Debt Effects Mortgage Loans - A reader wonders if a personal loan will affect future real estate deals. Ilyce explains how mortgage lenders evaluate debt.

  • Buyer of Bankrupt Home Owes Back Taxes - A reader purchased a home through a Sheriff's Auction and have received a bill from the county for 2 years of back taxes. Sam and Ilyce say that unfortunately, it looks like this new home owner does have to pay the taxes. Be very careful when buying a home at auction.

  • Court Assigns Guardian For Elderly Homeowner  - A reader has a friend who is in a nursing home and has a management company assigned by the court to manage her home. Now the homeowner's son would like to use a quit claim to get the home. Ilyce and Sam find all kinds of problems and questions regarding this deal.

  • Selling Entire Neighborhood to Developer - A neighborhood is thinking about selling all of their properties to a developer. They are working out how to make sure each homeowner is compensated equitably. Ilyce points out that this will be a very complex deal and that a top rated real estate agent and developer need to be consulted.

  • They’re Hot! Vacation Homes and Investment Properties - NAR recently released a new study that looks at the vacation and investment home markets. Last year, 40 percent of all homes bought were vacation homes or investment properties. That’s up 16 percent from 2004, to a record 3.34 million homes.

  • Switching IRA Due To High Charges - A reader is thinking about moving their IRA to a new financial company. Ilyce explains that you should always evaluate charges to accounts and that moving and IRA should be easy.

  • How to Negotiate a Great Raise - Learn these key negotiating skills before you approach your employer for a raise.

  • 5 Things You Should Do If You Want To Get a Raise - Learn 5 tips for getting a raise from expert career counselor Carol Kem of Life Horizons.

  • Five Things You Should NEVER Do If You Want a Raise - Learn 5 things never to do when asking for a raise.

  • Selling Appliances With The Home - A homeowner wonders if they are required to leave the refrigerator, washer and dryer when they sell their home. Ilyce explains that the contract and the regional standard have much to do with the buyer's expectations regarding the appliances.

  • Refinancing When Interest Rates Are Climbing - Many homeowners who have adjustable rate mortgages are closing watching the rising mortgage rate. Ilyce suggests holding onto these low interest loans for as long as possible.

  • Zots and Zen: Home Stage Your Way to Home Selling Success - Barb Schwarz, author of Home Staging: The Winning Way To Sell Your House For More Money, visits with Thinkglink staff person, Michelle Matlock, about how to best put your house on the market. Here are a few of tips she shared with real estate professionals at a staging boot camp.

  • Barb Schwarz’s top 10 tips for Successful Staging Your House - Barb Schwarz, author of Home Staging: The Winning Way To Sell Your House For More Money, shares with Michelle Matlock her ten tips for successfully staging your home to sell it fast.

  • 5 Minutes with Barb Schwarz - Thinkglink staff person, Michelle Matlock, interviews Barb Schwarz, author of Home Staging: The Winning Way To Sell Your House For More Money. Learn more about Home Staging and how it can help you sell your home.

  • Determining Cost Basis For Home's Taxes - Three sisters have inherited a home and invested money in improvements. Now that they have sold the home, they are wondering how to determine the fair market value of the home to declare on their taxes. Ilyce helps them determine the cost basis of the home and figure out what capital gains are due.

  • Tips for Condo Owners Starting An Association - A reader lives in a condominium that the developer is turning over to a condo association. Ilyce and Sam suggest getting a copy of the condominium statute from the state and warns the owner to be cautious when hiring a management company.

  • Partition Suit Only Way Out Of Ownership Dispute - A reader helped a friend with bad credit by purchasing a home with him. The reader's name is on the mortgage but the title is in the name of the friend. Now that the friend has turned up missing, our reader is wondering what recourse he has.

  • Entering A New Career In Real Estate - A reader is entering into a new career in real estate. Ilyce shares some advice on how to look for a brokerage firm that will work best as an entry place into the market.

  • Buying This Spring: Here’s 10 Things You Need To Know - Because the market has changed, savvy home buyers need to think about the home buying process a little differently. Here’s my list of 10 things you need to know to make the most of today’s marketplace.

  • Will Is Essential To Passing On Home - A reader recently lost his spouse and is having difficulty changing the deed to his home. Ilyce explains how to clear up the ownership of the home and provide the couple's children with clear legal ownership if something should happen to him.

  • Buying Unusual Landmark Property - Have you seen the show "ReZoned" on HGTV? How would one ever find a cool landmark property to buy? Ilyce advises a reader to look for an experienced real estate agent because these properties are hard to find.




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