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How do I transfer a car title?
Transferring a car title varies from state to state in the United States, and each state has its own process and requirements. Below, I'll provide a general overview of how to transfer a car title, and I'll also list the DMV website for each state where you can find more detailed information and specific instructions. [...]
How do you find a good contractor?
How do you find a good contractor? Q: My husband and I have found it impossible to find a contractor to build a small family room and deck off the back of our Chicago home over the last four years. While it is a modest project, there are structural issues and some unusual elements, including [...]
Why Do High Credit Scores Matter?
Why do high credit scores matter? High credit scores help determine a person's creditworthiness. Creditors are much more likely to give you a loan or approve your credit card application if you are deemed credit worthy. In addition, if you have a high credit score, you'll get a lower interest rate offer and often a [...]
Neighbor’s House Fire Damaged My House
Neighbor's House Fire Damaged My House. Is our Neighbor Liable for the Damage? Q: We live in a townhouse. The unit attached to ours had a major fire. The fire also caused considerable damage to our home. We have been in temporary housing for the last 17 months waiting for our home to be restored. [...]
Do You Have a Bird Nest in Your Dryer Vent?
Is there a bird nest in your dryer vent? How can you prevent a bird from nesting in your dryer vent? Q: I live in an adult condominium community. There are sparrows that have built a bird nest in the dryer vents. The vents have four louvers. It is very easy for the birds to [...]
Pool Costs 2022: Diving into the deep end
What do pools cost in 2022? When thinking about buying a home with a swimming pool, savvy buyers research pool costs before diving into the deep end. Here are some steps to take when researching pool costs in 2022. Pool Costs 2022: Annual expense? Q: I am considering purchasing a home with an in-ground swimming [...]
Electric Car Charging Stations Update
Electric Car Charging Stations: an Update As we enter 2022, there has been a surge of interest in electric cars. In 2018, there were a million electric cars on the roads in the U.S. Last year, Tesla sold more than one million cars. General Motors announced a big move into the electric car space. PolicyAdvice [...]
Should Parents Split an Inheritance Equally? Not Always
Should parents split an inheritance equally? Not always. There are many reasons why you might not want to treat all children equally. Read more: Sign up for my Love, Money + Real Estate newsletter. Should parents split an inheritance equally? One of our readers sent in this question: Q: My mom is in her 90s, [...]
Electric Car Home Charging Stations: Who should pay?
In 2018, there were a million electric cars on the roads in the U.S. By 2025, there will be more than 18 million electric cars on U.S. roads, according to PolicyAdvice and Business Insider. Electric car owners will want to charge their cars at home, at the mall, at work or in every parking garage. [...]
3 Financial Resolutions for 2021
3 financial resolutions for 2021. Three tips to help improve your personal finances and prepare for economic uncertainty in the new year. Here’s a guess: there aren’t many of us who’d care to redo 2020. COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, changed everything, killing more than 365,000 Americans (as of this writing in early January) and taking [...]