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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.

  • Negotiating A Temporary Easement With A Developer - A homeowner would like a guarantee that ranch-style homes would be built adjoining his property in exchange for granting a temporary easement to the developer. Sam gives advice about how to negotiate an easement and other issues to work out with the developer.

  • Bounced Check Sold To Collection Agency - A reader has a $29 bounced check turned into $200 of fines to a collection agency. Ilyce gives the reader tips on how to recover their money and file a complaint. Ilyce cautions that since the implementation of Check 21, the new check processing law, all checks are digitized and settled through electronic transfer meaning that funds must be available when a check is written.

  • Shop Around to Cut Cost of Insurance - Ilyce suggests that homeowners may see an increase in their insurance premiums due to hurricanes and other natural disasters of 2004. Ilyce gives readers thirteen tips for keeping insurance costs down.

  • Interest Only Loan Not An Option For Fixed Income Buyers - A home buyer is living on fixed income and is wondering if an interest only loan may be the way to finance. Ilyce feels a conventional loan is the safest bet.

  • Passing A Home Down To A Daughter - A homeowner wonders how to structure a deal where they sell their home to their daughter for a price less than value of the property. Ilyce helps them determine if the transaction is a gift or a loan and how to deal with the IRS.

  • Refinancing A Home On The Market - Ilyce revisits the issue of refinancing a home that is on the market. The home may not be listed in order to qualify for traditional loans.

  • The Basics Of Selling A Home By Owner - A reader is considering selling their home by owner. Ilyce gives them the basics about selling a home yourself including how to determine the list price and how to market the home.

  • Nothing Down – and then some - Ilyce reviews Robert G. Allen's book, Nothing Down for the 2000s. Since reading the book Ilyce finds herself up late at night scouring sites like Realtor.com looking for the next deal-of-a-lifetime.

  • Seller Won't Allow Contingency - A reader would like to purchase a home but the seller won't allow a contingency. Ilyce gives the buyer some strategies for bridging the difficult time between selling your home and buying a new home.

  • Determining Home Ownership - A reader has paid off the loan on a home they initially bought with another person, but has been the primary owner for fifteen years. The reader is wondering how to get the original partner off of the deed. Sam and Ilyce suggest going to court to file a suit for partition.

  • Preapproved Mortgage Versus Pre-Qualified Mortgages - A reader has trouble finding a qualified buyer for their rental properties. Ilyce encourages the seller to get a letter stating that the lender has committed (in writing) to funding the buyer’s loan provided the home appraises out in value. Be careful that it is not a pre-qualification letter, which is not a good indicator of whether the buyer will ultimately be able to secure financing.

  • Measure Twice, Cut Once, But Planning is Everything When It Comes to Remodeling - Most remodeling projects require some planning, and the best ones are typically planned far enough ahead so that the details can sink in: How you use and live in a space should dictate the design, scope and cost of the project.

  • Financial Tips For Engaged Couples - A reader is getting married and is looking for financial advice before the big day. Ilyce emphasizes cleaning up credit history and planning short and long term savings plans.

  • Rules Regarding Rent Increases - A reader wonders if their landlord can increase their rent. Ilyce suggests checking with city regulations and the original rental agreement or lease.

  • Homestead Exemptions Within A Living Trust - A reader is wondering how to ensure they get a homestead exemption within their living trust. Sam gives tips about living trusts and warns that a homestead exemption may not be possible if the home is transferred to a child.

  • Assistance For First Time Home Buyers - A future home buyer is curious about government programs to help first time home buyers. Ilyce states that the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.gov) has an excellent website that explains many of its special first-time buyer programs.

  • Making The Decision To Sell Investment Property - A lucky investment property owner has the opportunity to flip a property and make a profit. Ilyce helps the owner think through their options for making a sound financial decision.

  • Mortgage Broker Refuses Good Faith Estimate - After paying a $300 loan application fee, a homeowner has yet to receive a good faith estimate from the mortgage broker. Ilyce states that The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires lenders to provide the good faith estimate in 3 days.

  • Credit Report Requested By Home Seller - A home buyer resents the request for his credit report upon making an offer on a new home. Ilyce suggests getting pre approved for your mortgage.

  • Canceling A Loan Without Penalty - A closing date is moved several times and the borrower wonders if they can cancel the loan. Sam explains that if you are refinancing a loan on your primary residence, you generally have a three day right of rescission. In other words, you can cancel the loan within three days of your closing without penalty.

  • Buyer Unable To Get Down Payment Returned - Buyers of an apartment building are denied a mortgage and are unable to get their down payment returned. Sam goes through the details of real estate contracts and encourages them to hire an attorney.

  • Common Financial Mistakes We Make After Disaster Strikes - In recent years, few parts of the country were spared from some sort of disaster. There are several common mistakes individuals tend to make in the wake of a disaster. Here are some tips to prepare you for some worst-case scenarios. Remember, the best time to think about what you would do in the event of a disaster is before it happens.

  • How To Budget For Landscaping - An owner of a new construction home wants help determining the budget for new landscaping. Ilyce has heard 10 percent of the purchase price should be allotted to landscaping a newly-constructed house. She suggests you should find a landscape contractor who is willing to develop a plan that you can implement in stages.

  • Closing Credit Card Account - A person wants to know how to pay off a credit card and guarantee that there is no remaining balance. Ilyce advices once you get your next statement, call the credit card company and verify that if you pay the balance on the statement you will be able to pay off the balance in full. Then, write a check to pay off the card.

  • Preapproved Home Buyer Asked For Credit History - A first-time home buyer is preapproved for their mortgage and is still asked for their credit history and score. Ilyce thinks home sellers don't have any business in asking for a copy of a prospective buyer's credit history.















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