Can you sell your home if it’s held in a living trust? It all depends on how you set up the trust and what happened with the quitclaim deed. Q: In 2012, I set up a living trust, and at that time signed a quitclaim deed to my house and property over to my daughter. [...]
Which states have the highest property taxes? A new analysis ranks states by property tax rates to determine which states have the highest property taxes. Property taxes are a hot button for homeowners. That’s because no matter where you live, discussion around who pays the highest property taxes is bound to come up in conversation. [...]
Who qualifies for subsidized housing? A new study looks at the backgrounds of the 9.4 million people living in HUD federally subsidized housing programs. Ponder this: There are 9.4 million people living in subsidized housing that is funded at least partly by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The median household income of [...]
What type of homeowners insurance policy should I get? The answer depends on how much coverage you think you may need and the premium you’re willing to pay. Q: I read your recent column on insurance coverage. In the past, I had three house fires that I had to deal with. None of these fires [...]
An experienced insurance agent’s take on home insurance coverage raises questions on how much insurance companies raise rates and how often you should shop for coverage. We recently wrote a column on home insurance and how much coverage an insurance company may require a homeowner to have. We received several comments from readers that we’ll [...]
Should a family member be your Realtor and charge commission for selling your home? Before you ask your family member for a commission discount, think of what it really takes to get a home sold. Q: Should my brother-in-law charge commission for selling my mother's house? Should a Family Member Acting As Your Realtor Charge [...]
When it comes to common plumbing problems, here’s one you won’t see that often: a reader’s condo doesn’t have cold running water in the kitchen. How do you resolve this (un) common plumbing problem? It may not be that easy, and there’s a question about whether the seller knew there was a plumbing issue before [...]
Why is aging in place important? Seniors are staying in their homes longer than prior generations and it's contributing to the national housing shortage. Today’s seniors have better health and higher levels of education than prior generations and that means they’re living longer and working longer. Seniors born after 1931 are staying in their homes [...]
With the surge of residential real estate development in Chicago, is now the perfect time to buy? There are a few things you have to understand about the market before making the decision. Q: With all the residential development going on in Chicago for the near future, and the many high rises downtown going up, [...]
Will the home warranty company cover defective smoke detectors? You should call the home warranty company and ask but here are some other options to replace defective smoke detectors. Q: I bought a house last year and had it remodeled. I have a home warranty plan. The smoke detectors in my home were very old [...]
