When the homeowner’s association doesn’t uphold rules. A loyal reader offers their insight into how much power the HOA risks losing. Q: You were right on the money with your recent answer to a homeowner who complained that the homeowner’s association (HOA) was not enforcing its rules and regulations and was sometimes waiving some of [...]
Can you change your mortgage loan servicer? The short answer is no, but a few calls can help you smooth out the problems you’re facing. Q: Is it possible to change my loan servicer? My refinance was done by a national mortgage lender. They immediately transferred it to a well-known loan servicer. However, my monthly [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
What happens to your taxes when you co-sign a mortgage for your child? It all depends on how you decide to hold title on the home. Q: If I co-sign a mortgage so my son can buy a house, how will that affect my taxes for the profit when it is sold? He will make [...]
Trees, neighbors and insurance coverage: What you need to know when nature strikes and your homeowner's insurance gives you the runaround. Over the past few weeks, we’ve received a number of letters on our recent column about trees, neighbors and insurance coverage. A reader wrote in that a tree fell on his neighbor’s garage and [...]
