Have real estate questions? Here, you’ll find helpful articles and other resources that cover issues related to real estate, buying, selling, financing, refinancing, credit and debt, insurance, second homes, vacation homes, real estate investment, new construction, and renovation.
Should I give my kids the house even if they won’t speak to me?
Should I give my kids the house even if they won't speak to me? When this question came in, it made me incredibly sad. When it comes to families, issues relating to Love, Money + Real Estate abound. In this case, the house represents so much more than four walls, a ceiling and a floor: [...]
What Can You Do If Your Mortgage Is Underwater?
What can you do if your mortgage is underwater? This homeowner wants to know if she can foreclose and move on, but that should only be her last resort. Q: I am a widow in my 70s and my mortgage is underwater. Can I just let the bank foreclose and move on? I don't want [...]
Real Estate Market Recap for 2020 and Housing Outlook for 2021
Real estate market recap for 2020 and housing outlook for 2021. An overview of how COVID-19 impacted real estate in 2020 and what to expect in 2021. Safe to say that 2020 will go down in history as a year like no other. Even, or perhaps especially, in real estate. Real Estate Market Recap for [...]
How to Manage Inherited Property Split Between Siblings
How to manage inherited property split between siblings. This reader wants to either buy his sister out or sell the property, but she refuses. Q: My boyfriend’s mother died several months back. He wants to either buy his sister out or sell the property, but his sister has refused his verbal requests to buy her [...]
Buying a Duplex With Friends: Primary Residence or Investment Property?
Buying a duplex with friends: primary residence or investment property? This reader wants to know how taxes work if all four of them are on the financing and title. Q: My partner and I plan to purchase a duplex with friends. We would live on one side, and our friends (who already own their forever [...]
Can You Have Three Joint Tenants With Rights of Survivorship?
Can you have three joint tenants with rights of survivorship? This reader wants to know if it’s legal to add a third person to the title of their home. Q: There are two of us on the title of a home. We own the home as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Is it legal [...]
How Much Should an HOA Have in Reserves?
How much should an HOA have in reserves? This reader wants to know how much an HOA should have in reserves and what happens if it’s too much. Q: Can a homeowners association have too much cash in reserves? If they do, what are the consequences? How Much Should an HOA Have in Reserves? A: [...]
How Do I Overturn an HOA Decision?
How do I overturn an HOA decision? This reader doesn’t agree with a decision the HOA board made and wants to know if they have any recourse. Q: The association board of my building wants to take down basic pine trees behind my unit. The trees are healthy and provide no danger to the building. [...]
What to Do About Unpermitted Work When Buying a House
What to do about unpermitted work when buying a house. How to look up work done on a home and who you can ask to help you make an informed decision. Q: I saw your recent column about buying a home that might not have all of the required permits for work done. You left [...]
How to Calculate Profits and Taxes on a Home Sale
How to calculate profits and taxes on a home sale. This reader wants to know how to determine profits, costs and taxes on a home sale. Q: I have a question about selling your home and trying to determine the cost basis for tax purposes. Is the profit the difference between the sale price of [...]