HOA Didn't Repair Air Conditioner: Now What? Homeowner contacted HOA to repair a leaking air conditioner drainage line but it still hasn't happened. Q: My homeowners association (HOA) agreed to fix a leaky air conditioning drainage line that ran between floors. It causes flooding in my unit every summer. They set up a repair date [...]
HOA Lighting: Readers respond COMMENT: I enjoy your column in my Sunday newspaper- in fact, it's one of the few that survive as print journalism slowly fades away. I want to commend you for suggesting in your story of the homeowner looking for help with outdoor lighting that HOAs aren't the automatic panacea for [...]
Would a Credit Card Balance Transfer Help? A reader wonders if California resident who is overspending could be helped with a credit card balance transfer. Q: I read your interesting article recently about the homeowner being in a rough spot after moving to Sonoma County, California and taking on debt. I assume the $30,000 debt [...]
Best Cyber Resource Center In today's increasingly connected world, cyber crime has become a growing concern for individuals and businesses alike. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Report 2023, there were over 880,000 reported cyber crime incidents in the United States alone. That's up a staggering 22% increase in cyber crime compared to 2022. Cyber [...]
Vacant Homes and Empty Storefronts: Why so many? Q: I’m curious. There are several vacant homes in my area. They look abandoned. They are or were beautiful, but year after year, they sit empty. Similarly, there are a number of empty storefronts in my area, all with substantially high, competitive rates. Why leave these storefronts [...]
Inherit Property by Will or Receive by Deed? Is it better to inherit real estate or receive by a quit claim deed? Q: My mom has a condo in Delaware, but she and I both live in Maryland in our own separate homes. The home my mom lives in is in my sister’s name. Mom’s [...]
Where Do I Find a Transfer on Death (TOD) Instrument? Q: After my husband's death, my daughter went to pick up the deed to our house. There was a quitclaim deed that our old mortgage lender put in place with my signature on it. Also, I can't find the transfer on death instrument (TODI) either. [...]
The Pitfalls of Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship Stepmother leaves her father, but stays on title as joint tenants with rights of survivorship Q: My father passed away and my stepmom said that I could have the house. My father and my stepmom were married when he died but she left him over seven [...]
HOA Rules Contain Alarming Language Q: The homeowners association (HOA) of our complex added language to the association’s rules and regulations that I believe is alarming and invalid. I read your column every week and wanted to get your take. Our HOA has around 70 units. A section of the new rules was adopted without [...]
How To Find An EV Charger Station Installer Condo building has owners with electric vehicles and wants to install an EV charger station Q: I am on the board of directors of a homeowners association (HOA) in Evanston, Illinois. The board is gathering information about installing electrical vehicle (EV) chargers on our HOA property. The [...]
