Who’s liable for unpaid water bills, the home seller or home buyer? When the city bills you for back charges after installing a water meter, liability becomes confusing. Q: I own a rental home in Baltimore. The city has had issues in handling water bills and has even failed to install water meters on many [...]
How much do I have to pay in real estate taxes? The answer can be found in the purchase contract that was signed at closing. Q: I am trying to find out about the real estate taxes on the home I bought just about two years ago. What I need to know is how much [...]
What is a good salary? The answer is surprising. The quality of life you can have on a certain salary varies drastically from city to city. A recent study by GOBankingRates looked at just how far a $100,000 annual salary goes in major cities across the country. Basic expenses, such as housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, [...]
Leaving an abusive home: How to protect your assets when you fear for your safety but rely on the ownership interest for your financial future. Q: I pay half the mortgage on the home that I own with my boyfriend. I live there with him and our son. The title of the house is in [...]
What happens when the co-owner of your home dies with debt? This reader is concerned they’ll get stuck with the bill or worse, that they’ll lose the home. Q: My mother and I currently share ownership of my home. We own the home equally. I've been reading some of your posts on ThinkGlink.com and it [...]
Where will your kids live after college graduation? Graduates are likely to move in with their parents or into a co-living space due to high housing costs. This spring, families all over the country are attending graduation ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of their college graduates. Graduates pushed through challenging coursework as they strived to [...]
Can I buy the other home my real estate agent is selling? Asking them to act as a dual agent may cause more confusion than you’d expect. Q: Should I buy a house that my real estate agent is also selling? Is there a conflict of interest? Thank you, and I’m loving Ilyce’s book for [...]
What can you do about a nightmare condo owner who refuses to follow condo rules? Start with a review of board rules, then call a lawyer. Q: Our condo building has had a problem with one particular owner ever since he purchased his unit in the building and moved in. Initially he didn’t get permission [...]
Moving tips to make your big move easier. These tips will help you plan a less stressful move, whether you're doing it DIY or hiring professional movers. An estimated 20 million Americans will pack up their lives and move into a new home this summer, according to InsuranceQuotes.com. No matter how organized you are (or [...]
What happens to unclaimed good faith deposits? As this loyal reader points out, there are many options which vary depending on your location. Q: Every Sunday morning, your article is one of the first two or three that I read in my local paper. Thank you for enlightening me and the public on real estate [...]
