A Realtor's Perspective

Renters should consider options after job loss

Friday, April 17, 2009

Q: I signed a one-year lease for a home last November, but lost my job in January. My unemployment benefits barely cover half the monthly rent, and what little savings I had are almost gone. Read story.

Costs to increase for FHA loans

Friday, Oct. 3, 2008

The Federal Housing Administration is boosting the cost of its most popular loan-insurance program. The increase will cost many home buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Read story.

How to settle dispute with contractor

Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

When a remodeling job turns sour, it's sometimes best to work out a new arrangement with the contractor rather than making a beeline for court. Read story.

Inspection fee small price to pay for security

Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

No buyer wants to shoulder the cost of an inspector's fee, but it's money well spent if the inspection uncovers hidden problems. Read story.

Buyer's and seller's idea could put them in jail

Friday, Sept. 12, 2008

The real estate market is tough in most parts of the nation, but that's no excuse for either a buyer or seller to fudge on a home-sale contract or mortgage application. Read story.

Think twice before canceling escalator clause

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Home prices are lower in many areas, but it doesn't necessarily mean that owners should cancel a common provision in many insurance policies that protect against the rising cost of rebuilding after a fire or other calamity. Read story.

Don't fret about closed credit card account

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Several banks are closing dormant credit card accounts, but there are some easy ways for homeowners and buyers to protect against a long-term drop in their overall credit score. Read story.

Bring neighbors onboard with plan before launching home-based business

Friday, Aug. 22, 2008

Anticipate problems with zoning laws and neighbors before you start a home-based business. Read story.

Law protects military members' homes

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

A federal law approved in 2003 protects most servicemen and servicewomen from losing their house or apartment if they're deployed in another country. Read story.

FDIC guarantees deposits, not mortgages

Friday, Aug. 1, 2008

When the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seizes a bank, it reimburses most of the savers. Borrowers, however, still need to repay their mortgages. Read story.

Second-home sales may raise tax bill

Friday, July 25, 2008

<strong>Q: We have owned a small vacation home for several years, and now we would like to sell it. How would our resale profits be taxed?</strong> Read story.

Banks cut back on home-equity loans

Friday, July 18, 2008

<strong>Q: I obtained a $60,000 home equity line of credit two years ago, but have never used it. Last week, I received a letter from my lender stating that the credit line is being reduced to only $10,000. The bank's letter gave me no explanation for the reduction. What's going on here? What can I do now?</strong> Read story.

Unmarried co-buyers have special concerns

'Tenants-in-common' is the route to take in the game of life

Friday, June 20, 2008

The best way for most unmarried co-buyers to take legal ownership of a new home is to declare themselves as "tenants-in-common," rather than "joint tenants." Read story.

Sellers offer to subsidize buyers' financing

Friday, May 9, 2008

Tighter lending requirements and sluggish home sales have prompted many sellers to offer part of the financing needed to complete a transaction. Read story.

Fraud targets struggling home sellers

Friday, April 4, 2008

The housing market's downturn has given rise to a new type of scam, in which con artists try to steal what little cash financially troubled homeowners still have left. Read story.

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