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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.

  • Dividing Property After A Divorce - A ThinkGlink reader owns a home with her ex-husband. He now would like his name off the mortgage and his equity out of the home. Ilyce and Sam explain how to determine an equitable settlement.

  • How To Invest In A Family Member's Home - A ThinkGlink reader is planning on buying a home with the help of his family. Ilyce and Sam explain that the brother could help mortgage the home or become an investor in the home.

  • Financially Protecting Your Partner - Would you like to protect your partner by legally sharing your home with her? This ThinkGlink reader signed a quitclaim deed for his partner. Now he is not sure of his ownership in his home. Ilyce explains the right way to protect yourself and your partner when planning your financial future.

  • Son Asked To Buy Home For Parents - Would you like to buy a home for your parents? This ThinkGlink reader is being asked by the parents that he buy a home for them. Ilyce explains the financial benefits and risks.

  • 2007 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Buyers - Home prices began to moderate in 2006, with some sellers dropping their list price in order to make the sale. What’s coming up for 2007? Interest rates should continue at the current, historically low level rate.

  • Buying A Home On A Golf Course - A ThinkGlink reader is thinking of buying a new home on a golf course. The future of the course is in question and the buyer wonders how this will change the properties value. Ilyce gives him a strategy for moving forward on his offer.

  • Refinancing A Home When It Is For Sale - A ThinkGlink reader would like to refinance her home because her adjustable rate mortgage has just increased. Unfortunately, in addition to her ARM increasing, she is also going through a divorce and her home is on the market. Ilyce explains that banks will not refinance when a home is on the market.

  • Bathroom Rehab Affects Home's Resale Value - A ThinkGlink reader is thinking about rehabbing his bathroom and is wondering if replacing a bathtub with a shower will decrease his home's value. Ilyce helps this reader think through his rehab project.

  • New Home Has Water Problems - A ThinkGlink reader recently bought a home that now has water in the basement. His home inspector has mentioned poor gutters and a grade problem. Ilyce and Sam feel that his home owner will have little success in getting any money from the seller.

  • Refinancing Rental Property - A ThinkGlink reader is self-employed and trying to refinance a piece of rental property he owns. He is only being quoted very high interest rates. Ilyce suggests refinancing the home he lives in or trying to work with community banks.

  • Alimony Results In Higher Tax Bill - A ThinkGlink reader is recently divorced and trying to figure out what his tax bill will look like. Ilyce explains that he will not have to pay capital gains on the sale of his home, but he will have to pay increased income tax on any alimony he receives.

  • Using Home's Equity To Pay Off Credit Card Debt - A ThinkGlink reader has used her home's equity to pay off credit card debt. Now her cards are run up again and she needs to make home repairs. Ilyce suggests starting with credit counseling before making any home improvements.

  • How To Sell Your Home This Winter - Winter Marketing Tales - Some of the most serious buyers are hunting for a house right now. Are you ready? Ilyce provides you with tips on how to sell your home this winter.

  • Lawyer Needed to Buy Foreclosed Property - A reader is buying a piece of property that has been foreclosed upon. He has an attorney who represents both the seller and himself. Ilyce suggests he make sure that his interests are being represented.

  • How To Auction Off Your Home - Wondering how to auction a home? A reader is thinking of auctioning off his home to avoid the hassle of continually having it in showcase condition. Ilyce explains how to go about finding a good company to assist with the home auction.

  • It's Never Too Late To Plan Your Retirement - Have you started saving for retirement? This listener is 51 years old and just beginning to think about retirement. Ilyce helps her figure out how much money she needs to retire.

  • Dip In Real Estate Market Results In Lost Value -  A reader bought a vacant lot in hopes of flipping it. During the recent market downturn, the land has lost its value. Ilyce advises to keep making the payment to avoid credit problems.

  • Home Sale Cancelled - A ThinkGlink reader bought a new home only to have the contract cancelled. Now the home is on the market again. Sam and Ilyce explain that the buyer does not have any recourse against the seller.

  • Sale of Industrial Property Will Result In Large Tax Bill - A ThinkGlink reader made a great investment in industrial property and will make a large amount of money on the sale of the property. Unfortunately, this will result in a large capital gains tax and will also affect his income tax. Ilyce and Sam have some suggestions for cutting the tax bill.

  • Negotiating Repayment of Credit Card Debt - A reader has an extraordinary amount of credit card debt and would like to offer the credit card company a partial payment. Ilyce explains why this may not be the best idea.

  • Seller Financing Options - Having a hard time selling your home? Ilyce explains how to sell your home in this difficult market by offering seller financing options.

  • Pay Off Credit Card Debt - A ThinkGlink reader has a considerable credit card debt and savings in the bank. Ilyce suggests paying off the debt and curb spending in the future.

  • Pay Tax Bill On Home For Sale - A ThinkGlink reader has his home on the market and has a property tax bill due next month. Ilyce explains that during the closing a “proration” of taxes will be negotiated.

  • Problem With Developer Pipeline Installation - Ilyce gets help from a reader regarding a previous question about a developer wanting access to a reader's property for putting in sewer lines. A ThinkGlink reader suggests researching directional/horizontal boring for pipeline installations.

  • Community Property Versus Title In Joint Tenancy - A ThinkGlink reader has inherited her father's property and would like to make sure the property is passed down to her son. Ilyce and Sam suggest a living trust that would transfer title to the child upon her death.

  • Quitclaim Deed Leads To Ownership Confusion -  A ThinkGlink reader signed a quitclaim deed to transfer her home to a friend. Now the friend is not living up to her end of a deal to cover expenses. Ilyce and Sam explain that a real estate lawyer is the only one who can clear up this horrible situation.

  • Avoid PMI By Getting A Piggy Back Loan - Sometimes new home buyers do not have 20 percent of the purchase price for the down payment. They often have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Ilyce suggests looking into getting a piggy back loan when you are short of cash for a down payment.  

  • Leaky Basement Leads To Lawsuit - A Thinkglink reader recently purchased a new home. The seller did not disclose any problems with water in the basement, but the new owners have had flooding. Ilyce explains the only way to sue the former owner is if you can prove she knew the basement had leaks.

  • Marketing Your Home During the Holiday Season - While the winter holiday season of Thanksgiving to Superbowl Sunday used to be dead for real estate, real estate industry observers now say sales drop only slightly. What slows down are the showings, which means that the serious shoppers are out and about. Ilyce provides you with some tips on keeping your home presentable during the holiday season.

  • Adding Friend to Property Deed - A reader's boyfriend is going to add her to his new home's title. How much does it cost to be added to the deed? What is a quit claim deed? Ilyce answers these questions and helps the couple plan their future.

  • Sound Specialist Answer For Noisy Condo Neighbor - Do you have a noisy neighbor? A reader is having trouble with the condominium neighbor who lives below her. The neighbor frequently complains to the condo board about the sound of walking in her home. Ilyce suggest hiring a sound specialist to come up with ideas on how to minimize the noise.









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