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: [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Many factors have to be considered when your lender backs out of a mortgage before you can take action against them. Here are a few that this reader and I want you to remember. Q: I’m writing in regards to your response to a reader’s question that was published in my local paper several [...]
Before hiring a Realtor, this couple wants to visit a few open houses. Are there consequences for visiting an open house without an real estate agent without one? Q: My wife and I have recently started looking for a home, but we do not have a real estate agent yet. We are currently looking into [...]
Even when a mortgage broker is recommended by your real estate agent, it’s not a bad idea to shop around to make sure you find a broker that's right for you. Q: We've been working with a great real estate agent that was recommended to us by a trusted friend. The agent gave us a [...]
It's heartbreaking when we hear stories of homebuyers falling victim to wire transfer fraud. Here are some ways to protect yourself. Q: Thank you for your article in the Chicago Tribune on wire transfer instruction. Three weeks ago we were given wire instructions by our escrow company and had no reason to believe that they [...]
Your listing broker isn't legally responsible for knowing about a tax lien, but they should be aware of qualities that will make a home harder to sell. Q: We placed a contract on a home that should never have been listed in the first place since it had over $150,000 in tax liens. Am I [...]
Typically, a land contract will determine the length of time you're required to make payments on a home before you own it. As in this reader's case, factors like the death of the seller can complicate the process. Q: I got a house on a land contract in 2005 and the seller died and I’ve [...]
