How much does it cost to own a house? Inheriting a house that you haven't lived in may mean you'll face unknown expenses. What else can you do? Q: My widowed sister owns a modest home in DuPage County, Illinois. It’s entirely paid off. Her intent is to leave her house to me–she has no [...]
If I pay taxes on a property do I own it? This reader paid real estate taxes on a boyfriend’s home and wants to know if they have a claim to the property. Q: I live with my boyfriend and have been with him for about 12 years. We have two children. He bought a [...]
Understanding HOA rules on home exchanges and rentals can be difficult. How can homeowners use sites like Airbnb without breaking their community agreement? Q: My HOA community has a "four-month minimum" rental restriction. I don't have a major problem with that. However, as a retiree, I belong to a home exchange group in order to [...]
