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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.

  • New Home Has Big Problems - A ThinkGlink reader bought a home only to have the basement wall collapse within the first few weeks of ownership. Ilyce explains if this reader has any recourse against the inspector, realtor or home seller.

  • Deed-In-Lieu of Foreclosure Drops Credit Score - A ThinkGlink reader is planning on foreclosing or using a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure on his house. Ilyce explains how this will drop his credit score and take up to seven years to get off his credit report.

  • Prepayment Penalties Persist - While prepayment penalties are prohibited by many states, they’re permitted by federally-chartered lenders. Who is a federally chartered lender? Any lender that has established its charter not in any one state but as a federal savings bank or under federal laws. Think of your major mortgage lenders, most online lenders, and local banks that have chosen to organize under a federal charter. If you’re considering getting a home loan that has a prepayment penalty attached, here’s what you need to know.

  • Offering Rent-To-Buy On Fixer Upper -  A ThinkGlink reader is considering selling her home to a friend with a rent-to-own contract. Ilyce explains how to determine if this is a smart financial move.

  • Buying New Construction With Hopes of Big Payoff - A ThinkGlink reader is considering stretching his pocket book and buying a new construction home. Ilyce explains why now may not be the best time to buy expensive real estate.

  • How To Get Lien Released From Mortgage Company - A ThinkGlink reader asks how to get a lien released if the mortgage company was bought out by another company. Ilyce and Sam explain how to research the location of the lien and what to do if they can't find the new company.

  • Settling Condo Finances After Divorce - A ThinkGlink reader is divorced from her husband and he retains residence in their condominium. Ilyce and Sam give her advice on how to get her money out of her old home.

  • Buying Home With Significant Other - A ThinkGlink reader is buying a home with his girlfriend. The girlfriend is paying for the home in cash but putting him on the title. Ilyce explains why this will trigger a lifetime gift tax exemption for the girlfriend.

  • Paying Mortgage During Separation - A ThinkGlink reader is separated from his wife and is unable to cover the mortgage payment. Ilyce explains why both the reader and his soon to be ex-wife need to get together and sell the home or face a dip in their credit scores.

  • Deciding When To Pay Off Loan - A ThinkGlink reader would like advice about paying off an interest only loan. Ilyce explains that because of its low interest rate, it is best to keep the loan until it is due.

  • Executor And Beneficiary Of Trust - A ThinkGlink reader is the only child of an aging parent who would like him to be the executor and the beneficiary of her property. Ilyce explains the benefits of placing a property in trust versus using a quitclaim deed and explains what role the executor plays in the transaction.

  • How To Calculate If A House Is Worth The Price - Ilyce visits a property for sale that looks, on paper, like it should be a deal. She explains why this property, and others, are still on the market.

  • Condominium Floor Not Level - A ThinkGlink reader bought a newly constructed condominium in a high-rise. After moving in, he realized that the floors are not level. Ilyce explains why it important to hire a home inspector when buying a condo.

  • Developer Fails On Landscaping - A ThinkGlink reader bought a home that was newly developed. The lawn is a mess and it will cost considerable money to have it repaired. Ilyce explains why this reader should have never closed on the property until it was satisfactory.

  • Cancelling Condo Contract - A ThinkGlink reader put money down on a preconstruction condo but has now decided she can not afford the property. Ilyce explains that the builder has no obligation to return the deposited money.

  • New Home Development Not What Was Promised - A ThinkGlink reader bought a home in a new development. He, and many of his neighbors, feel the developer delivered a vastly different neighborhood than what was promised. Ilyce and Sam explain if these home owners have any recourse against the builder.

  • Brother Dies Without Will (Intestate) - A ThinkGlink reader owns a home that was financed by her brother. Her brother recently died intestate (without a will) and now she is worried she will lose her home. Ilyce explains why it is important to hire a real estate lawyer to help her save her home.

  • New Orleans Rebuilds, Part III - Ilyce Glink continues her series on the rebuilding of New Orleans. This week she visits the lower 9th ward.

  • Being Informed Of Condo Bylaws - A ThinkGlink reader bought a condo and only found out afterwards that no pets were allowed. Ilyce explains that whether he was informed of the bylaws or not, he must now live by them.

  • Rebate Part Of Buyer's Agent Commission - A ThinkGlink reader is buying a condo and had worked out a deal where the agent would rebate part of the commission. The agent is now not paying the rebate. Ilyce explains that oral agreements often don't hold up in real estate law and suggests using a real estate service such as BuySide Realty.

  • Leaking Basement in Newly Purchased Home - A ThinkGlink reader just bought a home and now the basement is flooding. He wants to know if he can go after the seller to pay for the repairs. Ilyce and Sam explain that the homeowner would have to prove that the seller knew of the leak and failed to disclose it.

  • Understanding Specific Terms of Easement - A ThinkGlink reader has an easement through his neighbor's property for a driveway. Now the neighbor would like to park his car on this easement. Ilyce and Sam explain how this reader can better understand his rights by reviewing the specific terms of his easement.

  • How Mortgage Lenders Deal With Credits - A ThinkGlink reader is buying an apartment building and the seller has agreed to give him a credit for repairs. Ilyce and Sam explain why the mortgage lender may not like this idea.

  • Dividing Up Family Property - A ThinkGlink reader asks about the equitable division of property that her family owns. Ilyce and Sam explain how to figure out a fair division of profits.

  • Short-Term Savings Opportunities - A ThinkGlink reader is wondering about investment opportunities for money that he hopes to use as a down payment on a home. Ilyce explains about various short-term investment opportunities.

  • Creditors Set Up Payment Plans - A woman diagnosed with breast cancel neglects to pay some of her bills. Ilyce explains to this reader that she better work with the creditors to create a payment plan or her credit score will suffer.

  • Understanding Adverse Possession - A woman has lived in and paid taxes on her deceased father's home for 50 years. Does she now own the home? Ilyce explains the law of adverse possession.

  • New Orleans, Two Years Later: Part II - Ilyce takes a tour through the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans to see how the rebuilding effort is moving forward.

  • Renting Versus Buying A Home - A ThinkGlink reader has always enjoyed apartment living. She is wondering if now is the time to buy. Ilyce explains how to analyze the pros and cons of buying a home.

  • Buying Property  - A ThinkGlink reader bought property and land that was for sales "as is." Now the neighbor claims that they share a water well and pump. Ilyce explains how to research his rights in regards to the neighbor's easement.

  • Leaky Foundation Requires Understanding Seller Disclosure Law - A ThinkGlink reader recently bought a home that now has a crack in the foundation. Ilyce and Sam explain if this reader has any recourse against the home seller.

  • Easement Gives One Access, Not Ownership - A ThinkGlink reader has an easement through his neighbor's property to connect his home to the street. The neighbor is now making it difficult to access the property. Ilyce and Sam explain the different types of easements and this reader's rights.








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