What are the pros and cons of paying cash for a home? What to consider when deciding if it’s better to take out a low-interest mortgage or pay in cash. Q: I know mortgage interest rates are hovering at an all-time low. But, is there anything wrong with paying cash for a home? A: There’s [...]
How does a short sale work for a buyer? This reader wants to know if they need an attorney to bid on or buy a real estate in a short sale. Q: Do I need an attorney to bid on or purchase a short sale real estate condominium? A: In some parts of the country, [...]
COVID-19 scams: what to look for. How scammers are targeting Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic and what to do if you’re a victim of a COVID-19 scam. Update: The types of COVID-19 scams were updated to include a new national unemployment mailing scam on July 30th, 2020. Scammers have been working overtime this year, preying [...]
Changing the percentage of ownership in a condo association. This reader says the value and square footage of certain units isn't accurate in the governing documents. Q: I have enjoyed your many articles in our local paper for some time. I am on the board of a condo association and it was brought to our [...]
Can my landlord terminate my lease during COVID-19? This reader wants to know if it’s possible and how much notice they’ll be given. Q: If you rent on a month-to-month basis, can the owner terminate the lease during the COVID-19 pandemic? And, if the landlord does notify a tenant that the landlord elects to terminate [...]
Where are people moving in 2020? Americans are moving away from big cities, building new homes in smaller cities, suburbs and more rural areas. In 2020, Americans are looking for a reprieve from expensive, crowded mass metropolitan areas by relocating to smaller cities, suburbs and more rural areas, according to the latest quarterly Home Building [...]
Pros and cons of buying your parents’ house. You can buy it if they can’t afford the mortgage, but then they lose the equity in the home. Q: My parents owe about $500,000 on a mortgage and home equity loan for a property that’s worth around $900,000. They want to stay in the home, as [...]
Can a non-citizen buy a house in the U.S.? Yes, this is how a non-citizen can buy a house in the U.S. and a few things they should consider. Q: I am not a U.S. citizen, but my daughter is married to a U.S. citizen and will have her green card shortly. Another one of [...]
What to do about a water meter reading error. This reader received a huge water bill after closing on their home but the math and timing of it just don’t add up. Q: We sold our house in Ohio in March and moved to the west coast. We informed our water department that we needed [...]
How do you change a deed from tenants in common to joint tenants? This homeowner also wants to know if it will trigger any adverse tax consequences. Q: My wife and I purchased a home over 40 years ago. The original deed is titled as John Smith and Sally Smith. This defaults to tenants in [...]
