Google
Think Glink
Web 		 

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.

  • Opinions on the Real Estate Bubble: Naysayers - What do real estate experts think about the real estate bubble? The best real estate experts are the people in your neighborhood who define the market -- by buying or selling houses, or waiting to do so, and by the prices at which they are willing to buy and sell. Our ThinkGlink.com Real Estate Bubble Survey gathered consumer opinions on the housing bubble, and we've posted some of the free form comments below.

  • Opinions on the Real Estate Bubble: Believers - Real estate experts can debate whether housing prices are overvalued until they turn blue in the face. In the end, their opinions are less important than your opinion. Our ThinkGlink.com Real Estate Bubble Survey gathered consumer opinions on the housing bubble, and we've posted some of the free form comments below.

  • Real Estate Trends - The latest real estate trends are in. The National Association of Home Builders just released their data on real estate trends. New home sales are going through the roof. Sales of existing homes, however, are slowing down considerably.

  • Real Estate Bubble Survey Summary - This real estate bubble survey was conducted in late November 2005. Two out of three Americans believe that the real estate bubble is real.

  • New IRS Rule For 1031 Exchange - Using a 1031 exchange and purchasing a residence can be tricky. The IRS has recently changed the 1031 law to include a 5 year ownership requirement. Sam suggests consulting a good accountant when using a 1031 exchange.

  • Refinance Primary Home For Second Home - A reader would like to build a second home. Ilyce suggests taking the equity out of their primary home in order to finance the second house.

  • Second Mortgage or Home Equity Loan - A reader is wondering the best way to finance their home renovation work. Ilyce explains home equity loans and lines of credit.

  • Auto Tax Bill Thirteen Years Late - A reader received a note from a collection agency regarding a thirteen year old bill that they never received. Unfortunately, it looks like the bill and the interest needs to be paid because the bill was for a city tax.

  • Looking Ahead: What 2006 Holds for Home Buyers and Sellers - In hindsight, 2005 was an extraordinary year by almost any measure. Long-term mortgage interest rates fell as short term rates rose and it has become clear that the air has started coming out of the real estate balloon we’ve all been watching. In addition, the three major credit reporting bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and Transunion each began offering every American a free copy of his or her credit history through a jointly-run website.

  • How To Sell Your Home Fast - A reader needs to unload their home quickly for medical reasons. They have contacted a company specializing in quick sales. Ilyce talks about dealing with these types of agencies and how to best approach the sale of a home when time is the most important factor.

  • Buying A Home After Bankruptcy - A reader has recovered from bankruptcy 9 years ago but is wondering whether a "no doc" loan may be for them. Ilyce explains what a "no doc" loan is and why it is not necessary if you have a good credit score.

  • Use Home Equity Loan To Pay Off Timeshare - A timeshare owner is enjoying their property, but not their 17% interest rate. Ilyce suggest either taking money out of their home equity to pay off the loan or look into getting a personal loan.

  • 12 Things You Can Do To Pay Less for Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy - If you have more than one claim in 7 years, or if you live in a flood or disaster-prone area, your insurance premiums may have increased dramatically over the past five years. Ilyce gives tips for lowering your cost including shopping around, raising your deductible, getting a security system and even going to school.

  • Holiday Shopping Tips - With the holiday season upon us, it's time to start looking for bargains and avoid overspending. Here are a few great holiday shopping tips that will let you give great gifts without having to run up the bills higher than you should.

  • Owner-Occupied Mortgage  - A reader has recently purchased a home with an owner-occupied loan. They are curious if taking a roommate will violate the terms of the loan. Ilyce feels they can proceed without concern for their mortgage loan.

  • Keeping Credit Limit Down Helps Raise Credit Score - Most lenders only care what credit score a prospective borrower has. Having too much available credit, especially if you carry a balance that exceeds 30 percent of that available credit, still counts as a negative when credit scores are tabulated.

  • Tips for Buying a Newly Built Home - A reader is thinking of buying a newly built home. They were told by their agent that the price is not negotiable. They are also concerned about the lack of track record in their neighborhood with the builder. Ilyce gives tips for working with a builder and negotiating a fair price.

  • Installment Purchase Of A Home - A reader purchased a new home on installment basis. Now there is a problem closing on the final purchase. Ilyce and Sam explain the basics of purchasing a home on installment and how to protect yourself against fraud.

  • Taxes on the Sale of an Inherited House - The holding period for inherited property is considered long-term, no matter when it is sold after death. The favorable long-term capital gains rate (currently capping out at 15 percent) would apply versus the ordinary income tax rates that would apply if it was treated as a short-term capital gain.

  • Home Seller Fails To Disclose Significant Problem - What if you purchase a home and find out the seller didn't disclose a major problem? A reader bought a house with a leaky pool. Research on the previous owner's water bill show they must have know about the problem. Ilyce feels the new home owner has a good case for suing the previous owner for failure to disclose or fraud.

  • Releasing Lien On Home For Sale - A reader is trying to sell her home but is having difficulty settling a lien held against the property. Ilyce and Sam discuss the options a homeowner has in trying to release a property from a lien, including paying off the lien, posting a security bond and hiring a real estate attorney.

  • Tenants By The Entireties - Titles can be confusing especially in regards to ownership clauses. Ilyce explains the differences and benefits between tenants by the entireties, joint tenancy and tenancy in common.

  • Moving Issues, Part II  - This is the second of Ilyce's articles on Moving Issues. Ilyce gives a step-by-step plan on how to move to your new home. From when to transfer kid's school records to handling bills of lading, this article has every thing your need to know if you are moving.

  • Co-Signing Student Loan Spells Trouble For Dad - A helpful parent has co-signed student and auto loans for his daughter. The daughter has not been making payments and now he would like to refinance his home. Ilyce explains that the daughter has effectively trashed her father's credit score and there is little he can do about it except explain to her the facts of a debtor's life.

  • Working With Neighbors When Repairing Fences - Neighbors may not have rights when it comes to your fence, but good neighbors will work to keep the neighbor involved. Different parts of the country have different laws regarding rights to your neighbor's yard to work on your fence. Ilyce Glink and Sam Tamkin suggest talking with the neighbors before changing anything they will look at every day.

  • Determining Taxes on Inherited Homes - A reader is inquiring about how the market value of real estate is determined as it applies to inheritance tax. Ilyce discusses capital gains and losses in terms real estate inheritance.

  • Slow Lenders - Slow lenders. As if there aren't enough things to deal with when buying a new home or building new construction. These homebuyers wonder if they can cancel a contract with a builder because the builder's affiliated lender is moving too slow. Ilyce Glink and Sam Tamkin provide some helpful real estate advice as to whether the real estate contract can be terminated.

  • Borrowing Money from one Property to Purchase Another - A reader wonders about borrowing money from an existing property to pay off a second property. Ilyce discusses the lender’s role in evaluating debt and income and confirms that you can borrow money from one property to buy another. 

  • Managing Financial Priorities While in Debt - A reader in debt wonders about the best strategy to pay off loans while managing financial priorities. Ilyce suggests getting on an interest-free payment plan while keeping track of every expenditure.

  • Moving Soon? - New figures released by the National Association of Realtors indicate more homes are on the market. Ilyce offers advice to those planning on moving in the future, suggesting that it’s never too early to prepare for the big day.  

  • Reducing Mortgage Payments to Make Investments - A home owner would like to know how to reduce monthly mortgage payments. Ilyce discusses the history of the increase of mortgage rates and suggests taking out an interest-only loan 

  • Verifying Residence After Homestead Exemption Claim - A reader who filed for homestead exemption for a second time wants to know who verifies residence at a particular property. Ilyce shares information about local tax collectors and tax assessors.

  • Interviewing Tips - Want good interviewing tips? Once you decide on the job you want, the first step is to get your resume seen by the recruiter. But that is only the first step







Stories ..