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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.

  • Home Improvement Scams - According to the Better Business Bureau (BBBonline.org) and the National Consumer Law Center (ConsumerLaw.org), home improvement scams are a big problems for consumers. Elderly homeowners in moderate and lower-income neighborhoods are the prime targets.

  • Homeowner's Association Prohibits Satellite Dishes - A homeowner wishes that the Homeowner's Association would enforce their ban on satellite dishes. Ilyce and Sam explain what action the homeowner can take.

  • New Construction Needs Independent Inspector - An owner of a newly constructed home is wondering if they need an independent inspector. Ilyce's answer is yes, you should have your new home inspected at various points during the construction. You should make the builder aware that you are going to do this, and, if you haven't finalized your contract yet, put it as a rider that both you and the builder will sign.

  • Getting Out of Debt - A 48 year old couple have gotten themselves way into debt. Ilyce gives them some hope and helps them save for retirement.

  • Late Payments on Credit Card Means Trouble - Ilyce explains how late credit card payments change your credit score. There are many online resources to help shop for a lower interest rate, help you budget, and help make payments on time.

  • Buyer's Agent Needed For New Home Community - A prospective home buyer looks at several new home developments without an agent and then wonders if they will have trouble using an agent when they buy property. Ilyce provides some helpful real estate advice.

  • Are Prepayment Penalties Illegal? - An owner wonders if owner financing can prohibit prepayments. Ilyce and Sam explain the basics of prepayment penalties.

  • Using Home Equity Credit To Pay Mortgage - The writer asks about using a home equity line of credit to pay off a mortgage. After analyzing the numbers, Ilyce feels this is a good deal.

  • Building Business Through Networking - Any entrepreneur will tell you if you're looking to drum up business, you should network in the community. Volunteer your time at local organizations, or sponsor a local kids’ baseball or adults’ softball team by providing t-shirts (with your name on it).

  • Housing Trends 2004 - Thanks to continuing low interest rates, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA) has newly revised its forecast for how much money home buyers and homeowners will borrow this year: A whopping $2.5 trillion. Only 40 percent of that total, or about $1.1 trillion, will be homeowners refinancing their mortgage. The rest will be spent on by home buyers looking for a place to live. About 17 percent of home buyers will purchase a newly-constructed home this year.

  • Free Comparative Marketing Analysis - A writer lets Ilyce know that not all agents will do a free comparative marketing analysis.

  • Rental Property - 1031 Exchange - A rental property owner considers selling property to buy a building closer to home. Ilyce suggests the 1031 tax-free exchange.

  • Old Insurance Bill Ruins Credit Score - A writer stops payment without canceling insurance policy. Ilyce explains how to avoid a further drop in credit score.

  • Pay Off Your Loans! - Here's what financial planners have known for years: Every dollar you spend to prepay a debt (any kind of debt) actually earns you the interest rate the debt carries.

  • One Hundred Percent Financing - A lender offers the buyer a 100 percent mortgage but the buyer's agent is not enthusiastic. Ilyce talks about mortgage products and how to use a one hundred percent mortgage.

  • Refinancing Fees - A first time mortgage holder incurs a lot of fees after refinancing. Ilyce and Sam explain all the fees associated with refinancing.

  • Refinancing An Old Mortgage - A homeowner has a small balance on their mortgage with a high interest rate. The homeowner and Ilyce cover the options for refinancing the remaining balance.

  • Is Son's Condominium Investment Property? - A parent helps out a son with the down payment on a condominium. Ilyce and Sam explain why to avoid making this investment property and how to plan for the condominium in the estate.

  • Interest Rates Drop Again - Using an ARM instead of a fixed-rate mortgage can save a homeowner thousands of dollars. The trick is that you have to be willing to take a small risk.

  • Interest Only Loans - We were offered a 100 percent mortgage. When we mentioned this financing option to our real estate agent, she was very negative and stated that sellers do not respond well to them. Can you tell us why she would respond this way?

  • New Homeowner Waits For Market To Cool  - A homeowner makes a smart analysis of when to buy a home. Ilyce talks about market inflation and interest rate considerations when buying a home.

  • Does Paying Property Tax Give Ownership? - I have a question about property taxes. If I have paid the property taxes for a home that belonged to my mother and now belongs to my grandchildren does that give me any claim to the ownership of the property?

  • New Furnace Too Small - Owners believe a new construction home has a furnace that is too small. Ilyce and Sam encourage the owner to talk with a heating expert before going after the builder with construction litigation.

















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