Condo Reserves: Buyer Beware Read the first part of this story, Condo Reserves: A Growing Issue. A few weeks ago, we wrote about condo and co-op reserves and the new Florida State law. This new law, passed in the wake of the Surfside collapse in 2021, mandates condo and co-op buildings that are at least [...]
Buying a Condo vs. a Co-op Is it a good idea to buy a co-op rather than a condo? What does it mean when the co-op has been listed for nearly a year without selling? Q: We are wondering if you could provide us with some enlightenment about the ins and outs of buying a [...]
Primary House Tax Break Wife's name isn't on the deed. Can they still enjoy the full $500,000 primary house tax break? Q: I have a question about the primary residence tax break. I am selling my primary home in Chicago that I’ve owned for about 30 years. I owned another property in another state and [...]
Getting Rid of a Timeshare A reader has tried some common recommendations for getting rid of a timeshare, but is running into a brick wall. Q: I frequently read your column/advice in my local paper. I’ve read your advice about getting rid of timeshares. I tried one of your recommendations about calling the timeshare and [...]
How Do I Avoid Lowering My Credit Score? Q: I am widowed, retired, love to travel and grateful I have the wherewithal to do so. I am looking at getting an airline credit card to take advantage of their 75,000 point offer that my daughter says is worth around $750. I already have way more [...]
HOA Ignores Condo Owner What can you do when the homeowner association (HOA) ignores mentally unstable and violent owner? Q: I hear Ilyce on the radio often and figured maybe the guru of all things having to do with money and real estate might help me. I am a condo owner in Illinois and have [...]
Title Issues Cloud Estate Step-daughter wonders why lender failed to add her to title and what she can do now Q: Early last year, my stepmom and I had a meeting with her loan company to figure out what the easiest way to pass her home to me when she died. I know nothing about [...]
HOA Board Member Causing Trouble Q: We have a new HOA board member who is very troublesome and off the wall with regard to rules and regulations. I am a board member along with one other person. The actions and language of the new board member with vendors and the other owners are offensive. We [...]
Do Solar Panels Help Sell a Home? Q: We're thinking of moving to a senior living development in a few years, so we'll be selling our house. We've gotten quotes for solar and think it's the thing to do regardless of whether we'd use it long enough to pay off the initial investment. I thought [...]
Condo Reserves A Growing Issue: Part I of II It’s expensive to own any type of home. You’ve got the mortgage, homeowners insurance, property taxes, maintenance and upkeep. You may also, if you buy in a subdivision, have some sort of homeowner’s association fee to pay. In an era where affordability is an issue, with [...]
