An experienced insurance agent’s take on home insurance coverage raises questions on how much insurance companies raise rates and how often you should shop for coverage. We recently wrote a column on home insurance and how much coverage an insurance company may require a homeowner to have. We received several comments from readers that we’ll [...]
Should a family member be your Realtor and charge commission for selling your home? Before you ask your family member for a commission discount, think of what it really takes to get a home sold. Q: Should my brother-in-law charge commission for selling my mother's house? Should a Family Member Acting As Your Realtor Charge [...]
When it comes to common plumbing problems, here’s one you won’t see that often: a reader’s condo doesn’t have cold running water in the kitchen. How do you resolve this (un) common plumbing problem? It may not be that easy, and there’s a question about whether the seller knew there was a plumbing issue before [...]
Why is aging in place important? Seniors are staying in their homes longer than prior generations and it's contributing to the national housing shortage. Today’s seniors have better health and higher levels of education than prior generations and that means they’re living longer and working longer. Seniors born after 1931 are staying in their homes [...]
With the surge of residential real estate development in Chicago, is now the perfect time to buy? There are a few things you have to understand about the market before making the decision. Q: With all the residential development going on in Chicago for the near future, and the many high rises downtown going up, [...]
Will the home warranty company cover defective smoke detectors? You should call the home warranty company and ask but here are some other options to replace defective smoke detectors. Q: I bought a house last year and had it remodeled. I have a home warranty plan. The smoke detectors in my home were very old [...]
How much should I spend on a Valentine’s Day gift? Here are the best DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas that show you care but won’t break the bank. Love is in the air and so are the sweet scents of chocolates and roses! And, who wouldn’t like either as a Valentine’s Day gift? Valentine’s Day [...]
Selling your home after your spouse dies doesn't mean you have to change the title. What really matters is if you own it under joint tenancy or tenants in common. Many homeowners whose spouses have died think they need to change title into their own name as sole owner if they are going to sell, [...]
How to decide if you should fix up a home or sell “as is” depends on these 8 issues that sellers should consider before putting the home on the market. We recently received a letter from a woman who was selling her late sister’s home. She said the home was in bad shape, in a [...]
What to do when you have home buyers remorse. Should you go ahead and sell the home or consider being a landlord? Q: Four years ago, as a first-time homeowner, I bought a single family home in the D.C. metro area. I hate to admit this, but I failed at the due diligence portion of [...]
