Foreclosure Sale Cuts Off Homeownership Prospects Q: I’m ignorant of real estate law so this may be off base. Maybe you can tell us if we’re correct to be angry. My son moved back to Virginia last year. He was pre-approved for a loan, got a real estate agent, and began looking at homes. Over [...]
Neighbor Problems: Renovation Noise Q: I enjoy reading your column. I’d like your input. A new owner bought an upstairs condo. Their unit is right above my condo. They’ve been renovating their unit every day, Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm. It’s been like this for four months. There is no end in sight. [...]
Radon Test Before Listing Home For Sale Before Listing Your Home for Sale, Take Care of the Small Stuff. And, Have a Radon Test Q: This isn’t a question, but a comment/suggestion. I read one of your columns on your website talking about taking care of the small stuff when it comes time to list [...]
Due-On-Sale Clauses Can due-on-sale clauses prohibit the transfer of property with loans to spouses or children? Q: The Garn-St. Germain Act prohibits enforcement of a due-on-sale clause in a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property. Does the "transfer" mean inherit, or does it also include "sale" [...]
Gift Letter: Why You Write it Q: When I gave my son some money to buy a house, I had to submit a letter to his lender stating that the money I gave him was a gift and not a loan. Why did the lender require that? A: As housing has become more expensive and [...]
Neighbor Problems: Fences Followup If your neighbor's fence is dirty and you clean it, are you inviting a lawsuit? Rotten Neighbor Disagrees About Fence Q: I came across one of your articles where you discussed a fence problem where a neighbor was unhappy about his side of the fence being dirty. You suggested maybe he [...]
Why You Buy Title Insurance Q: A previous owner owes taxes on the home we purchased. We are trying to refinance our home and we were told that there are taxes owing from 2002. We purchased the home in 2004. Are we responsible for paying these real estate taxes? A: It’s hard to believe that [...]
Paying Mortgage But Not on Deed Children who purchased a home for their parents and are paying the mortgage, realized they are not on the deed. What should they do? Q: I purchased a home for my parents and was named on the mortgage along with them. But, I’m making the payments. My husband and [...]
Putting Assets In a Trust A reader wants to understand how to put her mortgaged home and other assets into the trust she created. Q: I created a trust so that my three kids won’t have to deal with probate when I die as I did with my parents’ home. How do I get my [...]
Home Sale Cash: Divorced Spouse Wants Her Money Q: I was divorced back in 1999, My ex-husband kept the property we bought together. I didn't get a cent when he sold it. But, I also don’t remember signing off when he sold the property. I read that I should’ve signed a special warranty deed in [...]
