Do Lease Obligations Follow a Home Sale? What do solar panel and liquid propane gas service contracts say about buyer who purchase homes with these contracts in place? Q: We purchased a home with liquid propane (LP) gas service to heat the pool. We did not heat the pool and did not use the LP [...]
Calculating capital gains. You'll want to keep receipts to make sure keep your capital gains as low as possible. Q: I read your recent article on capital gains and how to calculate them. Here’s my issue. I thought I could shred a whole bunch of receipts accumulated during my ownership of my home. I see [...]
Do I need a quit claim deed? Reader wonders if she needs a quit claim deed if living trust is in place Q: Is there any risk, concern or benefit to simply adding a child to title through a quit claim deed (not replacing homeowner on title, but adding)? This child is the beneficiary and [...]
Home Appraisals: electronic or in-person? Lenders often choose an electronic home appraisals vs. in-person appraisals because of cost Q: I really like and appreciate your "Real Estate Matters" column. About a week ago, you had a column about how to protect your home from someone trying to take out a fraudulent mortgage against it. In [...]
Solar Panel Roof Replacement Costs Should you replace the roof before you add solar panels? Q: Five years ago we contracted with a solar panel company to install a system on our house. We now find out we will need a new roof in about two years, after getting three opinions. We’re surprised by this. [...]
Real Estate Matters: Readers Comment Readers weigh in on some of our recent Real Estate Matters columns Real Estate Matters: Realtor who wants to end lease early Comment: I do read with interest your column, having worked in legal aid for about twenty years – mostly representing tenants being evicted. This is to comment about [...]
Final mortgage payment not accepted by check Q: When my 360th (and final) mortgage payment came due I was informed that a personal check wouldn't be acceptable. I had to submit a certified check with almost more information on the check than could fit. I had to include everything except my inseam size number of [...]
Who owns the house? When you add kids to a deed and then remove them, it may be tough to know exactly who owns the house Q: My boyfriend's mother died two years ago. Back in 2007, she added her kids to the deed to the home and created a life estate for herself. Then, [...]
Can you rent out a condo you own? Q: I want to know if you can rent out a condo you own. I live in a four-unit condominium in Chicago. My understanding is that in a condominium building of this size, only one unit can hold a license for short term rentals. One owner already [...]
Mortgage Scam How to protect your single biggest asset Q: I have paid off the mortgage on my home. But, I am concerned. I have heard that someone can take a loan out against your home without you knowing and you could lose your home. To address my concern without knowing other options, I am [...]
