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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.

  • Buying Real Estate FAQ - We answer frequently asked questions about buying real estate.

  • Selling Off A Portion Of Home Lot - A homeowner is selling a portion of their lot and continuing to live in their current home. Ilyce explains what capital gains taxes they will need to pay.

  • Real Estate Agent Lies About Employment Opportunity - The reader and her husband have purchased a new home based on the real estate agent's assurance that they had found the husband a new job. Sam and Ilyce are concerned that the buyer was scammed because the job did not come through. They suggest never being pressured into making a large financial commitment.

  • Time Constraints Set by 1031 Exchange - The reader wants to use a 1031 exchange for the sale of commercial property but is concerned about the tight time frames outlined by the IRS. Sam and Ilyce explain how a reverse exchange may be the solution to the readers concerns.

  • Capital Gains Tax On Sale Of Home - A home buyer wants to sell their home and purchase a lot to build a new house. Ilyce explains that as long as they have lived in their home as a primary residence for two of the past five years, they can exclude up to $250,000 (if they're single) and up to $500,000 (if they're married) in profits from the sale of the home. Any gains they have above that mark are taxed as a long-term capital gain. One other rule for taking the exclusion is that they can only take it once every 24 months.

  • Homebuyer In The Dark - A home buyer agrees to let the seller remove all the light fixtures from their new home. After learning that the fixtures came from the original builder, not the seller, the buyer is upset. Ilyce suggests to never agree to a seller's demand without speaking to an attorney or agent.

  • Don’t Ignore the Emotional Quotient When Buying a House - Home buyers, particularly first-time buyers, who ignore the emotional quotient of a house deal, can end up feeling frustrated with the process and angry at the pace of the deal. Taking some time to think through the deal and plan out how you’re going to cope can help keep frustration and anger in check.

  • PMI Changes at Closing - A home buyer received a good faith estimate including an estimated amount for the private mortgage insurance. At the closing, the PMI amount was different. Ilyce explains how this could occur.

  • What is a Condominium - In urban areas, a condominium may be another option for your new home.

  • Using Transfers To Avoid Taxes Maybe Unlawful - The reader wants to purchase a home his father and uncle inherited. He would like to avoid as many taxes and a reassessment of the property if possible. The reader wonders if a transfer of the property is the right move. Sam and Ilyce warn him that transfers maybe unlawful and suggest that they hire a local attorney who knows about intra-family transfers.

  • Purchase Of Church Property Leads To Donation - The reader is helping their church purchase a piece of commercial property. They wonder if the seller can reduce the price of the property and consider it a tax deductible donation to the church. Ilyce and Sam feel this deal might work given a willing property seller.

  • Seller Fires Agent After Contract Is Signed - A couple is buying their first home and has signed a contract and paid earnest money, appraisal and inspection costs. Now the seller is trying to fire his real estate agent. Ilyce feels that this problem shouldn't interfere with the closing of the home but suggests that the buyer's attorney be informed of the complications.

  • Buying Property Without Spouse - A reader wants to know if he can purchase his current residence, a rental property, without his spouse. Ilyce thinks the deal is possible but questions the reader's motivation.

  • How To Get Rid Of Junk Mail And Phone Solicitors - A reader has asked repeatedly to be removed from a mailing list and is still getting junk mail. Ilyce explains how to get onto the do not mail or call lists and how to make sure they are enforced.

  • Option ARM Mortgages - A first time home buyer is looking for a home worth 10 times their income. Ilyce helps to make sense of the current home lending climate and explains how Option ARM mortgages work.

  • Buying Versus Renting - Should we buy a house or rent? That's the question asked by a reader and, as she always does, Ilyce Glink offers excellent real estate advice and personal finance advice to a couple that is deciding whether to buy or rent.

  • Increasing Rental Car Prices - Renting a car? Rental car prices are on the rise. Consumers walking into car rental companies later this year are more likely to find higher prices, older cars, and an alternative mix of rental vehicles.

  • Transferring Property to an LLC - What happens if I transfer a commercial property to an LLC? Is there a capital gain because the basis gets stepped up or does the owner's basis remain unchanged. The experts in real estate law advice, Sam Tamkin and Ilyce Glink, answer a reader's question about putting property into an LLC.

  • Firing Real Estate Agents - What should you do when your real estate agent checks out and doesn't actively try to sell your home? It's best to take action quickly so you can get on with the business at hand – selling your home.

  • Housebuying Problems - Buying a house? The house you want to buy may be more trouble than its worth. Sometimes the best thing that can happen is to have to let a house "get away" because it has too many problems. It's tough, but usually it's a blessing in disguise.

  • Earnest Money Battles - A battle for earnest money ensues when a would-be buyer decides not to buy a property. The seller feels they are owed the earnest money. The buyer feels they don't owe the earnest money because they were not able to get the necessary financing, as outlined in the contract.

  • Cancel Real Estate Contract - Can I cancel a real estate contract? That's the question asked by a reader that wants to walk away from a real estate deal because there are too many issues with the house, builder, and real estate agent.

  • Selling Rental Properties Tax Free - Want to sell rental properties tax free? A 1031 tax-free exchange is the best option. Are there other ways to do it? Sure, but 1031 exchanges represent the most viable method.

  • How to Save Money - Wondering how to save money? This article gets you started with saving and makes sure your savings plan works for your personal finance needs.

  • Investing Money to Pay for College - You've got money to invest for your children's college educations, but where's the best place to invest? This article provides a few useful investment suggestions for those of you who are saving for college. Remember, it's a good idea to discuss these with a trusted investment advisor before you make the investment.

  • Buying Digital Cameras - Buying a digital camera? We show you how to evaluate what you need and tell you how much to spend for it. Can you make do with less?

  • Pacemaker Recall - Guidant Corporation recently recalled some of their pacemakers due to a potentially fatal flaw. 78,000 Guidant pacemakers manufactured between 1997 and 2000 are suspected to have this defect, with 18,000 still in use in the United States.

  • Podcasting - What is podcasting? You're about to find out. It's new, it's cool, and getting started with podcasting is easy.

  • VoIP Phones - Are you ready for a VoIP phone? VoIP is coming of age, and it’s time to consider abandoning your existing phone service in favor of a more affordable VoIP service.

  • Job Hunting Advice - Searching for a new job? If so, it’s important that you don’t take rejection personally. Rejection is part of the process, and it’s usually a good thing. Here's some great job hunting advice from one of the nation's leading resume consultants, Liz Handlin.

  • Money and Marriage - Buying a home together is a big step for any couple. But when one spouse pays for 80% of the home and the other pays for the remaining 20%, things get even trickier.

  • Time to Switch to a Fixed Rate Mortgage? - Should I Switch from Adjustable Rate Mortgage to a Fixed Rate Mortgage? Many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are growing concerned that interest rates might increase and that they'll be stuck with a high-interest mortgage.

  • Real Estate Bubble - Is there a real estate bubble or isn't there? That's a tough question. Ilyce Glink talks about what's keeping housing values high and what you can do to prepare for a possible bubble burst.

  • Building a New House - Building a new home? Here's some great real estate advice from Ilyce Glink. When you’re buying new construction, figuring out how to make the most of each room requires a tremendous amount of thought. Make sure you think things through before you sign the contract for your new home

  • Home Equity Loan Decision - you own two homes and want to take out a home equity loan, how do you decide which home to take the loan on? Ilyce Glink offers some excellent personal finance advice to a couple that owns two homes, one in Georgia and one in Florida.

  • Lowering Credit Card Debt - Lowering credit card debt is a noble objective for all of us. Maybe you need to switch credit cards? Finding a new credit card is a good move if your old credit card has high interest rates and stiff fines. Ilyce Glink discusses how to find a good credit card and what to watch out for.

  • Quitclaimed Property - After paying back and current taxes on a property that was quitclaimed to her, a reader wonders if she can take full title to the property. The answer? It depends on how the quit claim deed was drafted and what its intent was.

  • Saving for College - Saving up for college? Although some of your child’s education will be covered by scholarships, financial aid, and student loans, aggressive investing is necessary to cover the balance. Here's some helpful personal finance advice on college savings plans.

  • Housing Prices in Great Britain - Everything is expensive is Great Britain. Even the housing prices have skyrocketed.









































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