What happens if there’s no will? Homeownership and property taxes are two key issues to sort out if someone dies intestate (with no will) but has real property. Q: Does a family member or friend have to start paying property taxes after the owner of the house (who was over 65) dies in order to [...]
Here's what you need to know before selling a home that was willed to you. There are a few steps you have to take before you can sell the home that was left to you in a will, even if you were the sole heir of the home and other assets. Q: A friend [...]
Is an inspection required when a home is gifted to you by a relative? This reader wants to know if she should get an inspection on the home that was gifted to her by a relative. Here’s what I suggest. Q: If a home is gifted to an adult child, does it need to be [...]
Can you keep the security deposit after a tenant breaks the lease? When a tenant breaks the lease on your rental property, you could be entitled to keep the security deposit based on your state’s laws. Q: Can I keep the security deposit my tenant gave me after he broke the lease? Here's what happened: [...]
After a homeowner dies, the large remaining mortgage balance may entice you to call the lender and negotiate new terms. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Q: My father died of cancer in January 2017. He is the only one on the mortgage with a big box lender. I was a joint tenant with rights of [...]
Is a Free Timeshare a Gift or a Problem? When someone gifts you a timeshare, there are a lot of problems that come along with it. Q: I found a lady on Facebook from my town who owns three timeshares. She is retiring in 2019. She can’t sell one of her timeshare units and she [...]
Can a Condo Board Require Me to Pay For a Limited Common Element? When a common element of a property becomes a limited common element, can the condo association board force you to pay for it? Q: I just read your article on ThinkGlink.com relating to limited common elements in a condominium association, and I have [...]
Real estate development inheritance costs heirs money. This reader expected a windfall and is wondering how to turn a money-losing situation into something that's at least breakeven. Q: My husband inherited a private development in West Virginia that his father owned. How does one go about starting a homeowners' association (HOA) for something like that? [...]
There are friendly and not-so-friendly divorces. But if your ex-spouse can't pay the mortgage because he lost his job, should you step forward and offer to pay off the remaining amount and give him the house just to be completely done? What's the price of being done? What would you do? Q: I have been [...]
Is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act going to kill the housing market and tank home prices? With the passage of Tax Reform in the House of Representatives, real estate industry groups have gone on the warpath to prevent legislation they believe is ultimately damaging to real estate. Is tax reform going to kill the [...]
