HOA Problems After suing his HOA, a reader wants to know if he's really been banned from contacting HOA management or the Board. Q: I know you’ve answered a lot of questions about HOAs in the past. But I haven’t seen you address my particular situation: Would a lawsuit against our condo association, whether I [...]
Signing Legal Documents Whether you're signing a mortgage or a trust, you might need an original signature. Q: Just read your story where the writer said that his/her mother wants to put her house into a living trust. Excellent article! I’d like to add one thing that I’m sure that you know, but many people [...]
My View is Blocked: What Can I Do? A reader bought a lot 50 years ago with an unobstructed view. Then, trees grew. Q: Fifty years ago, I purchased a lot in a community in Maryland. I paid a higher price for this lot due to its better view. Several years after buying the lot, [...]
Open Floor Plan: Not Everyone's a Fan What if you want to find a traditional house that isn't one big room? Q: I know this isn't your usual type of question, but when on earth are people going to stop tearing down supporting walls in their houses in the quest for an open floor plan? [...]
HOA Didn't Repair Air Conditioner: Now What? Homeowner contacted HOA to repair a leaking air conditioner drainage line but it still hasn't happened. Q: My homeowners association (HOA) agreed to fix a leaky air conditioning drainage line that ran between floors. It causes flooding in my unit every summer. They set up a repair date [...]
HOA Lighting: Readers respond COMMENT: I enjoy your column in my Sunday newspaper- in fact, it's one of the few that survive as print journalism slowly fades away. I want to commend you for suggesting in your story of the homeowner looking for help with outdoor lighting that HOAs aren't the automatic panacea for [...]
Would a Credit Card Balance Transfer Help? A reader wonders if California resident who is overspending could be helped with a credit card balance transfer. Q: I read your interesting article recently about the homeowner being in a rough spot after moving to Sonoma County, California and taking on debt. I assume the $30,000 debt [...]
Best Cyber Resource Center In today's increasingly connected world, cyber crime has become a growing concern for individuals and businesses alike. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Report 2023, there were over 880,000 reported cyber crime incidents in the United States alone. That's up a staggering 22% increase in cyber crime compared to 2022. Cyber [...]
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 [...]
