If you are retired and want to get a mortgage, you may not be out of luck, depending on your assets and income. Q: I'm nearing 70 and my wife is 46. I want to buy her a house. I have "enough" in savings and can buy the home outright. She has solid income and [...]
Sellers trying short sell their homes find that lenders the biggest obstacle to closing the deals. Filing a consumer complaint may help. Q: I am having a horrible time dealing with my mortgage lender (one of the big five that was just named in the $25 billion foreclosure settlement) in getting my short sale to [...]
Are you one of those “resolutionaries” who sets ambitious new year’s goals but has already forgotten them by the end of February? No judgment here—you still have time to accomplish your goals. Here’s an important goal that you can easily complete: This weekend, pull out your insurance policy and take care of yourself and your [...]
Good estate planning requires you to update your will to make sure your wishes are met and your heirs aren't left wondering whether your wishes were satisfied. Q: Our mother passed away quite suddenly. She had her old will out on her table as if she were going to update it. The will that we [...]
You'll often hear people ask whether they should prepay their mortgages, and for many it makes sense to prepay. Q: I hear and see so many financial advisors and experts recommending that people pay off their mortgages by making an extra mortgage payment each year. The reality is that it would be easier for the [...]
As you may have noticed, the country is facing budget crunches on all sides. The feds are billions of dollars in the hole, while states are cutting jobs, holding up refunds, and struggling to stay solvent. No one wants to raise taxes, but the money must come from somewhere. What’s the easiest way to generate [...]
