Is a reverse mortgage right for you? Or should you get a HELOC? Consider these factors before you commit to a reverse mortgage or HELOC. Q: My wife and her sister were given their mother’s home when she passed away. The property was mortgage-free. For the past six years, her sister has been living in [...]
Trying to profit from pre-foreclosure homes? Read this first before you dive into the complicated world of real estate. Q: I read an article you wrote about buying real estate through tax sales, and it was very good. I met a contractor who told me that he was about to lose some land he owned [...]
How to know if you’re getting a correct land survey. From credentials to the title of surveying documents, there’s a lot to look out for to see if the surveyor is up to snuff. Q: When we purchased land we had a new survey done. Three months later, during our construction process, our lender required [...]
How to manage a life estate: This older form of transferring an estate can cause a lot of confusion. Here’s what you need to know about your obligations. Q: My dad quit claimed his house to me but if he wants, he can live there his entire natural life. Does that mean I own the [...]
Estate planning and capital gains taxes: What you need to know before selling high value property that could be inherited. Q: My parents are elderly and live in Virginia. They own a rental house in California. Since they bought it, the home has increased greatly in value to about $1 million. They are trying to [...]
How to sell your 1031 exchange inheritance in order to avoid complications with taxes after the sale. Q: I have inherited a 1/3 interest in a property that is part of a 1031 exchange. The total value of the property is being split between 3 heirs and is worth about $150,000. Is there any way [...]
What’s the best way to help a family member with a private mortgage? Depending on how your structure the interest rates, you may face issue with the IRS. Q: I set up a private 15-year mortgage with my niece several years ago at 3.5 percent interest. The paperwork is all properly filed. She is down [...]
I think I’m the victim of a scam. Now what? If you’re getting bills from unheard of companies, pull your credit report immediately. Q: I’m wondering if I’m being scammed. I received what looks like a bill from a company in Pennsylvania claiming that I have a current balance due of $704.02 as of February [...]
When no one in the family wants to pay property taxes, what can you do? Even if the family has created a S-Corporation, you’ll still need some savvy tricks to save the property. Q: I am from the Island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. I am the President of my families S-corp and [...]
What you need to know about prepaying a mortgage. Based on the type of mortgage you have, your loan terms may change. Q: I saw your video on your YouTube Channel on how making an extra payment on your mortgage pays your loan down faster. When you make an extra payment do you apply all [...]
