Refinancing a mortgage late in the life of the loan could cost you more than it’s worth. Here are a few options if you’re looking to lower your financial burden. Q: Is it wise to refinance my mortgage if it has a balance of just $26,000? The loan was for 30 years at a fixed [...]
Do you have rights to your parents home if you paid their mortgage? You have to consider all of the details of the arrangement before you can claim rights. Q: My husband and his brother paid for a vacation home that was titled in the name of their parents. My mother transferred money out of [...]
A land contract purchase can cause confusion. When do you own the property? When does a land contract confer ownership? Q: I have a land contract to purchase my home in Flint, Michigan. I started to pay the seller, then after a few months my checks mailed to the seller were not being cashed [...]
She inherited her Dad’s house but his ex-wife just moved in. How do you remove your dad’s ex-wife from a house you inherited? Q: My wife just found out her father died. His home, which is in South Carolina, was left in a living trust. She was also told she is the last living and [...]
What is the right way to title a home purchase to reduce future taxes? Should you choose joint tenancy with rights of survivorship or a trust? What impact will the way you hold title have on capital gains or inheritance taxes? Q: My mom sold her property and put all of the proceeds into [...]
Can lenders revoke a mortgage refinance if a relative takes her name off the title? When a co-borrower removes her their name from the title during the refinancing process, it can cause complications for the homeowner trying to get the loan. Q: Both my daughter and I are named on her mortgage loan and title [...]
Are you the victim of wire fraud? There are other financing options available that will still allow you to buy a home. Q: My wife and I recently moved and my son would like to buy our previous home (at a discount from the current market price). The home’s price and our capital gains are [...]
What happens if there’s no will? Homeownership and property taxes are two key issues to sort out if someone dies intestate (with no will) but has real property. Q: Does a family member or friend have to start paying property taxes after the owner of the house (who was over 65) dies in order to [...]
Here's what you need to know before selling a home that was willed to you. There are a few steps you have to take before you can sell the home that was left to you in a will, even if you were the sole heir of the home and other assets. Q: A friend [...]
Is an inspection required when a home is gifted to you by a relative? This reader wants to know if she should get an inspection on the home that was gifted to her by a relative. Here’s what I suggest. Q: If a home is gifted to an adult child, does it need to be [...]
