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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.

  • Divorce Leads to Home Refinance -  A reader is getting a divorce and waiting on her husband to refinance their home. Ilyce explains that she should not sign refinance or home equity loan papers, but get her name off the loan and quitclaim the deed to her ex-husband.

  • The Cost of Floor Coverings - A reader is interested in buying a home but would like to change the flooring in the whole house. Ilyce helps this reader figure out the cost of a large home improvement project.

  • Time Limit On Buyer's Offer - A reader has made an offer on a new home and the seller has yet to accept. Ilyce explains the time limits involved in making an offer on a home.

  • Difference Between Appraised and Purchase Price - A reader has sold his home for one amount but the buyer got a mortgage for a far higher amount. Sam and Ilyce feel that fraud has been committed and suggest the reader contact an attorney immediately.

  • Bad Credit Hurts Home Buyer - A reader would like to purchase a home but is worried about her bad credit. Ilyce explains that the best way to buy a home is to improve the credit score.

  • Home Seller Hides Fire Damage - A homeowner discovers evidence of a fire a year after moving into his new home. Ilyce explains how a home inspection would have uncovered this damage and the seller was required to disclose the fire.

  • Selling Inherited Property - A homeowner inherited her current NYC residence from her grandmother. Now that the neighborhood is being sought after by developers, she would like to sell for the most money possible. Ilyce helps her figure out her capital gains tax and how to get the most for her property.

  • Increased Price in Newly Constructed Home - A reader is helping out her sister who had a home purchase fall through. The newly built home's price went up significantly after the home was completed. Ilyce and Sam explain that the contract should have helped the buyers understand their obligations.

  • Picking the Wrong List Price Can Cost You - Ilyce shares a personal story about an offer to purchase a property that was greatly overpriced. She gives advice about how to price your property to make the most money on the deal and avoid costly mistakes.

  • Tips For First Time Home Buyer -  A reader is planning on buying his first home. Ilyce gives him tips on everything from how to finance the deal to finding a good agent.

  • Home Sale Falls Through - A reader had a sales contract fall through on the closing date. Sam and Ilyce help them him determine where the deal went wrong.

  • Investment Strategy For Young Parents - A smart investor is saving 10% of his income in a 401k. Ilyce helps this reader decide on an investment strategy that allows him to make money and still sleep at night.

  • Quit Claim Deed Leads to Capital Gains - A reader received her parents' home through a quit claim deed prior to their death. Now that her parents have passed away, she is selling the home. Unfortunately, she may be on the hook for capital gains tax.

  • Cancelling PMI on Investment Property - A reader has purchased investment property and doesn't want to pay PMI (private mortgage insurance). Ilyce explains how the rules regarding PMI differ between owner occupied property and investment property.

  • Backing Out of Home Sale - What if you sold your home and had no where to live? That is the situation that Ilyce's reader finds herself. Ilyce suggests finding a short term apartment lease.

  • Radon Mitigation System  - A reader has written to Ilyce about purchasing a home with a radon mitigation system. A system like this is installed when high levels of radon are found in a home. Ilyce explains how this system will change the resale value of the home.

  • The Credit Connection: Homeowners and renters see things differently - Ilyce gives advice to both homeowners and renters about how to keep their credit score high.

  • Who Pays For Septic Inspection? - A reader is selling their home and has been asked to pay for a septic inspection. Ilyce explains how the laws vary state-by-state and suggests she get a new agent or attorney to help them close this deal.

  • How To Raise Your Credit Score - A radio listener wrote Ilyce to ask how to improve his credit score. He has already done a great job of reducing his debt but he is concerned about duplicate credit card numbers on his report. Ilyce helps out the listener with suggestions about how to raise his score.

  • Use Caution When Offering Seller Financing - A ThinkGlink reader is selling a building and the buyer has asked him to finance the deal. Ilyce explains how to work out a seller financed deal and warns the seller about the risks involved.

  • Your Next House - With the real estate market in a slowdown, and interest rates on the rise, what had been a relatively simple decision over the past dozen years or so has become more complicated. Ilyce helps future home buyers make smart real estate decisions.

  • Use Caution When Co-Signing Loan - A ThinkGlink reader has been asked by a friend to co-sign a loan. Ilyce explains how this will affect the reader's future borrowing ability.

  • Selecting an Adjustable Rate Mortgage - A reader is having a new condo built and is researching her financing options. Ilyce explains why an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) may not be the best idea for this home buyer.

  • How To Finance Home Repairs - A reader is having repairs made to her home costing a large amount of money. Ilyce helps this reader make decisions about how to best pay for the work.

  • Finding A Financial Advisor - A reader is on the verge of retirement and looking for a financial advisor. Ilyce gives advice on how to find the right expert to help him plan for his future.

  • Medicare Uses Social Security Number - A reader is frustrated to see that Medicare is using his social security number as part of his identification. Now his number is showing up on numerous mailings that anyone can see. Ilyce is actively working to help seniors protect their identity.

  • Paying More Than The Asking Price - A real estate investor writes Sam and Ilyce about an unusual deal where he is willing to pay more than the asking price. The buyer is wondering if paying the seller outside of the stated deal with the mortgage company is illegal. Ilyce and Sam explain where this deal could go wrong.

  • Paying Off Home Brings Peace of Mind - A reader asks Ilyce's advice about paying off her home's mortgage. Ilyce explains the pro and cons of carrying a mortgage and suggests that for this reader, paying off the mortgage is a good idea.

  • Bad Home Buyer Behavior - Five years after the sale of her home, a ThinkGlink reader is being asked by the buyer to pay for a new septic system. Ilyce explains that this bad buyer may sue them, but that the suit won't win in court.

  • Invest or Pay Off Mortgage? - It is a nice decision to have to make. Do you pay off your mortage or invest the money? Ilyce gives personal finance advice to the lucky reader who is facing this decision.

  • Proper Building Permit Never Received - A reader is selling a home that is much larger than the city officials have recorded. Ilyce explains how a construction permit can be paid for after the work is done and before the home goes on the market.

  • If You Want to Sell Faster, Fix What’s Broke! - In the current real estate market, a home may not sell for months. Ilyce interviews a home seller that sold her home at the first open house. She gives you tips on getting your house in "blue ribbon" condition and selling it fast.

  • Finding the Best Refinance Deal - A reader is hoping to refinance her home and is searching for the best deal. Ilyce will not suggest specific lenders, but gives the reader tips for finding the best rate for the lowest cost.

  • Transferring Deeds On Inherited Property - A reader and his sister have recently inherited rental properties. Now they would like to divide the property between the two of them. Ilyce and Sam give advice on how to divide up the property.

  • Developer Doesn't Pay Homeowner's Assessment - A reader is part of a homeowner's association and is questioning the developer's right to nonpayment of the assessment fees. Ilyce and Sam explain how to go about researching this very complex issue.

  • Refinancing After Inheriting a Home - A reader has recently lost her mother after being her in-home caregiver. Now she is trying to make smart financial decisions regarding her inherited home and money. Ilyce helps the reader think through her options.

  • Limiting Capital Gains Tax  - A reader is hoping to downsize and go into the real estate business. Ilyce explains that she will have considerable capital gains tax because she has only lived in her home for one year.

  • Hurricane Ahead: A disaster game plan for all homeowners - June 1st marks the official beginning of the hurricane season. Coming on the back of last year’s record-breaking devastation, coastal residents are already preparing for the worst. Ilyce gives advice regarding different types of home owner's insurance to protect you in this dangerous season.

  • Neighbor's Home Sold By Resale Company - In this market it is easy to be concerned about the value of your home. Ilyce explains to a reader that it is impossible to predict what the market will be like in three years, so not to worry about a resale company owning the neighboring home.









































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