Vacant Homes and Empty Storefronts: Why so many? Q: I’m curious. There are several vacant homes in my area. They look abandoned. They are or were beautiful, but year after year, they sit empty. Similarly, there are a number of empty storefronts in my area, all with substantially high, competitive rates. Why leave these storefronts [...]
Inherit Property by Will or Receive by Deed? Is it better to inherit real estate or receive by a quit claim deed? Q: My mom has a condo in Delaware, but she and I both live in Maryland in our own separate homes. The home my mom lives in is in my sister’s name. Mom’s [...]
Where Do I Find a Transfer on Death (TOD) Instrument? Q: After my husband's death, my daughter went to pick up the deed to our house. There was a quitclaim deed that our old mortgage lender put in place with my signature on it. Also, I can't find the transfer on death instrument (TODI) either. [...]
The Pitfalls of Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship Stepmother leaves her father, but stays on title as joint tenants with rights of survivorship Q: My father passed away and my stepmom said that I could have the house. My father and my stepmom were married when he died but she left him over seven [...]
HOA Rules Contain Alarming Language Q: The homeowners association (HOA) of our complex added language to the association’s rules and regulations that I believe is alarming and invalid. I read your column every week and wanted to get your take. Our HOA has around 70 units. A section of the new rules was adopted without [...]
How To Find An EV Charger Station Installer Condo building has owners with electric vehicles and wants to install an EV charger station Q: I am on the board of directors of a homeowners association (HOA) in Evanston, Illinois. The board is gathering information about installing electrical vehicle (EV) chargers on our HOA property. The [...]
Power of Attorney and Elder Abuse COMMENT: You stated to a reader recently that it was unclear why the niece no longer had power of attorney (POA) over the aunt's house – and a conservator stepped in. As an advocate against guardianship abuse, a POA can be removed through the courts like a discarded traffic [...]
Parents selling home to children: Is this the right move? Q: My ex and I are thinking of selling our paid-off home to our two children. Then, both of us would purchase our own places. We would give them a much better deal than they could get on the open market. What are the pros [...]
Debt: How One Bad Move Can Wreck Your Financial Life Q: Thanks for your Love, Money + Real Estate financial newsletters. You helped me back in 2008 when the Great Recession hit and I was able to save my townhouse from foreclosure. Fast forward. I moved to Sonoma County, California about 10 years ago. I [...]
How to Protect Yourself from Real Estate Scams Real estate scams can wipe you out financially Real estate scams are really scary. Especially with how quickly artificial intelligence is being adopted and applied. March 7th was National Slam the Scam Day according to the Social Security Administration. While most people understand that there are ever-more [...]
