Q: I noticed when I got my FHA loan that I would have to pay mortgage insurance. That’s fine, because I didn’t have 20 percent to put down on the property when I bought it. But here’s my question: When can I stop paying FHA mortgage insurance? I know I pay the monthly premium, which [...]
Q: I wish to sell an investment house I own personally. Do I need a license? I live in Washington DC. Also, can I give the buyer financing (it would be seller-financing) to buy the home. Would I need a license for that as well? A: Good questions. In most places, if you sell, lease, [...]
Q: My neighbor has a tree very close to my border that is over 50 years old. It is a really big tree. It is so big I feel that it really belongs in the forest. If it comes down on my house, it will demolish it and could even kill me if I am [...]
Increase Property Value With Neighborhood and Community Efforts Q: I have worked on helping my community in the past on the issue of blight as an involved resident. I have brought to my association’s board articles that state that liens can be placed on properties to enforce our rules. And, when we place a lien [...]
Q: Our home is under underwater. We have a first mortgage with a big box lender for about $450,000 at a fixed rate of 6.5 percent and a second with a different big box lender for $100,000 at a variable interest that is now at 4.5 percent. Homes in our neighborhood are currently listing at [...]
Q: We refinanced and took money out of our home in 2005 with a Texas home equity loan at 7.5 percent. Whenever I ask about refinancing with any one of numerous mortgage companies, I am told that any refinance would have to be a Texas home equity loan and the interest rate would be higher [...]
Q: I finally sold my home after 2 years on the market. A couple of months ago, I purchased and paid cash for a new home for about $400,000. I am 70 years old with no debt. I own two commercial properties in Augusta, GA and I receive rent from each of them along with [...]
Q: I have been caught up in a real estate nightmare. I purchased a single family home earlier this year. Last month I discovered that I was conveyed two lots instead of one. I talked to people at the tax assessor’s office and they confirmed that several years back, a prior owner took the two [...]
I learned two interesting things this past weekend. The first is that lightning can strike at any time and it can hit close to home. The second that you need to make sure your insurance policies are up to date and that you have the right insurance carrier to help you out. Do you have [...]
Q: I inherited a nine-unit apartment complex from my father, fixed it up, and sold it about six years ago. The buyer, who is a licensed real estate broker, is now suing us and our agent, claiming we didn't fill out a disclosure form. The buyer is now claiming that he did not know that [...]
