Selling your home when the property value is less than what you owe on the mortgage can be difficult. Here’s what I suggest. Q: We have a mortgage that has been sold several times over the years. We have recently obtained a copy of the mortgage from our lender. I’m trying to find a reasonable [...]
What happens to my taxes when I use a quitclaim deed to transfer property? The answer depends on a few factors, including whether or not you earned income on the property. Q: I bought a property for my niece some time ago. I paid for it with cash and she was paying me back in [...]
7 big life events that might impact your taxes. How big life events like getting married, having a baby and inheriting money might impact your taxes. The IRS opens for business next week, and millions of Americans will start filing their federal and state tax returns. Online tax software companies guide you through the tax-filing [...]
When it comes to money, Millennials are doing better than many people think. And yet the vast majority are still fretting about their money, even as the oldest part of the cohort has begun applying for mortgages. Let’s start with money. Millennials (age 23 to 37) are saving money. There’s no doubt about it. Nearly [...]
When a lack of seller disclosure and a bad home inspection collide, it causes expensive problems for these buyers. Here are a few suggestions for how they can move forward. Q: What are sellers required to disclose to buyers? We recently purchased a home in Houston, Texas. When we had the home inspected prior to [...]
Handling loud condo neighbors who refuse to turn the music down and respect condo rules can be difficult. Here are a few steps you may want to consider before seeking legal action. Q: I am a condo owner in a four-unit building in Washington, DC. I believe my fellow condo owners are refusing to enforce [...]
Is your mortgage loan forgiven when you outlive the lender? Certain legal loopholes may make it a possibility, but don’t bet on it. Q: I have paid $30,000 of a $60,000 mortgage on vacant land but then got behind on payments. The owner has failed to foreclose. I have continued to pay the real estate [...]
Handling tax issues with a rent-to-own home can cause some tension between the landlord and tenant. You’ll want to have all the details before you make your next move. Q: I’ve been renting-to-own a home for a little over a year now. The owner of the home told me he would continue to pay the [...]
Can you lose your home if the HOA goes bankrupt? This reader’s HOA management has made some bad decisions which has homeowners worried about their property. Here’s my take. Q: Our homeowners association (HOA) has been sued. I have been reading that it is not likely the HOA can declare bankruptcy if it loses the [...]
What happens to my timeshare after my death? Scammers will try to convince you that your children will be responsible, but is that really the case? Q: I just read your article about considering fees and finances before inheriting a timeshare. As a timeshare owner who cannot sell or give his timeshare away (because, as [...]
