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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.

  • Real Estate Commission - Is a real estate agent with an inactive license able to collect on a real estate commission? Her real estate broker boss agreed to pay her and then backed out of the deal. What should she do?

  • Life Estate Deed - Her mother died a year ago and now her brother says he was left a life estate to the house. Is the life estate valid if it wasn’t recorded?

  • Purchase Agreement - Under what circumstances can a seller cancel a purchase agreement? What if the buyer doesn’t close on the property by the date specified in the purchase agreement?

  • Income Tax on Inherited Property - A reader inherited a farm in 1998 and now wants to sell. What kind of income taxes will she pay on her inherited property?

  • Real Estate Sales and the Economy - Real estate sales are down. What does that mean for the economy? Will the decline in real estate sales and home values push us into a recession? Ilyce Glink reports.

  • Money Merge Accounts (MMA) - If you want to spend $3,500, you’ll learn how you can merge your money into one account: a money merge account (MMA). Ilyce Glink doesn’t think it’s a great idea.

  • Rent-To-Own - First-time buyers who can’t quite afford to own a home often look for rent-to-own properties, also known as lease/options. You just want to make sure you’re not getting scammed if you opt in to a rent-to-own agreement.

  • Deed - A brother helps his family buy a home in exchange for 10 percent of the property. His name was never added to the deed and now he’s not sure how to proceed.

  • Quitclaim Deed - A couple decides to move in together in the man’s house. Both of their names will be on the deed but only his name will be on the mortgage. It’s actually a good deal.

  • Home Appraisal - Home sellers can’t pick appraisers but they can learn how appraisals are calculated and what current market conditions are. A good appraiser will dig deep to understand high sales.

  • Property Lien - Home owner on Social Security disability loses home because of a previous owner’s unpaid lien. The home owner should have had adequate insurance to prevent this.

  • Custom Home Builders - Custom home builders all use different contracts which govern the terms of the deal. This ThinkGlink reader needs to read his contract and then decide if he owes the builder additional money.

  • Quit Claim Deeds - Quit claim deeds are used to transfer property ownership. There are many issues to consider before using a quit claim deed like taxes and co-owners.

  • Buying A Home - Buying a home is a complicated process. Be sure to completely understand the contract and hire a reputable real estate attorney.

  • Home Auction - Auctioning a home is an option for this ThinkGlink reader. Ilyce helps them decide if they should auction the home or use a real estate agent.

  • Estate Tax - Estate tax is often imposed by states at levels equal to the federal taxes. Ilyce provides information about the changes in state's inheritance tax rates.

  • Home Inspector - A home inspector is essential to buying a new house. A walk-through at closing will also help you with a successful home purchase.

  • Broker Commission - Commission paid to real estate agents is negotiable. Ilyce helps this home seller understand the broker's commission as described in her contract.

  • Selling a House and Keeping the Profits Tax-Free - A Marine bought a house and now, less than two years later, he is being transferred to Japan. When he sells, can he keep his profit tax-free?

  • Rent To Own Homes - If you can’t buy a house, what about a rent-to-own situation, also known as a “lease with an option to buy.” Rent-to-own situations can work if you’re careful about how you do it.

  • House for Sale - The owner of a four-family house wants to sell his house. But he only owns half of the property. He wants to put the house up for sale. Can he convince his co-owner to sell the house?

  • Home Buyer Problems - A home buyer wonders if the listing agent had any duty to disclose that the expansion of a nearby highway will mean his house will be demolished.

  • Retaining Wall - A neighbor builds a retaining wall that encroaches onto the homeowner’s property. Now, the neighbor wants an easement to cover the encroachment. Should the homeowner tear down the retaining wall instead?

  • Inheritance Tax - Inheritance tax is usually paid by the estate. If the value of the estate is more than $2 million dollars, the estate will pay inheritance tax on the overage.

  • Disclosure Statement - Seller's property disclosure statement is supposed to list all known problems. Seller disclosure cases are tough to win because you have to have proof that the seller knew of the problem in order to win the suit.

  • Taxes on Inheritance - Property taxes can be calculated for the current year or in arrears. Inherited property usually owes taxes based on the date the new owner receives the deed to the property.

  • Home Improvement Projects - Home improvement scams can be any homeowner's nightmare. Researching contractors on the internet and through references is the best way to avoid problems on home improvement projects.

  • New Home Construction - New Construction presents different issues for a home buyer. Negotiating a new construction contract should not be taken lightly and Ilyce suggests hiring a good real estate attorney and doing your own research before signing.

  • Credit Card Rates - Credit card interest rates can zoom up at a moment’s notice, but you can take steps to keep your rate low.

  • Inheriting Property - Inheriting property brings up all kinds of options. Rezoning the property to commercial is something this ThinkGlink reader is considering. Ilyce explains how to handle the inheritance and convert the building to apartments.










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