S&P faces civil lawsuit for selling bad mortgage loan bonds, a result of risky loans from mortgage lenders. This was a huge impetus for the housing market crisis. And as usual, providing personal finance advice, real estate advice and consumer advice on the Ilyce Glink Show on February 10, 2013 at 11:00am Eastern Time on [...]
When thinking about how to protect your property from a lawsuit, you might want to consider setting up a trust. Q: I bought my house 20 years ago and today it is worth $300,000. I owe about $150,000 and have about 10 years left on a 15-year mortgage. The interest rate is 5.125 percent, and [...]
Do you have house deed problems? If you want to know more on how to prove property ownership, first talk to a real estate attorney. Q: I have a little bit of a unique situation here. We purchased a house in September 2011, in Minnesota. My fiancée’s great grandmother is the one who took out [...]
The real estate outlook for 2013 continues to look muddled: While new home sales increased in 2012, the economy still struggles. Each week, pundits step forward to proffer yet another prediction about where the housing market is going. Since 2006, when the housing market began its descent into madness, all we’ve heard that the residential [...]
A 1031 exchange is an investment property exchange process that can assist in deferring taxes. We answer a question here. Q: I currently own two rental properties. The first house is paid off. The second property still has 14 years on the mortgage. I am considering selling the first house because it's not earning all [...]
Save money this Valentine's Day with these top 10 tips on how to enjoy Valentine's Day while on a budget. Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And whether they’re spending it with the love of their life or just some friends, consumers are expected to spend an average of [...]
Are you selling a house without a Realtor? Seller financing and selling a home without an agent has its cost and benefits. Q: I appreciated your article on the advantages and disadvantages of holding title to a home in a limited liability company (LLC). I have a house in Maryland that is valued at around $350,000 [...]
Home improvement projects can be financed in different ways. The best options depend on if you want to refinance or use your savings. Q: I have about $30,000 in savings and want to finish my basement. Would it be best to use the cash I have in savings to pay for it or should I [...]
If your loan modification is not enough, you might want to sell your home and find a more affordable home. Q: The good news is that we got a loan modification. Unfortunately, the amount is now too high because my husband's income has decreased. My income is just enough to cover our house payment and [...]
If you can't afford your mortgage, you should try to sell your home in a short sale. Q: I live in Georgia and have a house that I bought last year. Unfortunately, I can’t afford the house any longer. I’m not sure what to do. Should I do a short sale or should I just [...]
