What happens when a will and a quitclaim deed conflict? She quitclaimed her interest in the home when they split, but he never changed his will. Q: My friend prepared his will and specified that his house would go to his girlfriend. She had contributed money to the upkeep while they were together. At the [...]
Buying a house in another state: How to view the property without visiting. This homebuyer doesn’t want to make the trip if it’s not for an active listing. Q: Can you give me any advice on how to make it easier to look for a house when you live in a different state? I live [...]
Buying a house that had work done without a permit: What you need to know. This owner wants to know how they should proceed when sellers had work done on the home without a permit. Q: I've always been told that when buying a house I should ask to see any building permits to make [...]
What’s scarier than buying a haunted house? Approximately 70 percent of Americans believe in the supernatural, but most of them are more afraid of this. Halloween is just around the corner and the spooky season is in full swing. While you and your family are watching some classic horror movies (Poltergeist, The Amityville Horror or [...]
Can a power of attorney be signed electronically? This reader wants to give someone power of attorney but have it signed and notarized electronically. Q: I recently signed a contract for the purchase of a home. I am traveling abroad soon and have given a financial power of attorney to a family member and I [...]
What happens if your mortgage servicer can’t find your loan? These homeowners couldn’t figure out how to make payments and now they’re in hot water. Q; We have lived in our house for 15 years. About four years ago our mortgage was sold to a different loan servicing company. We called the new company several [...]
5 mistakes to avoid when buying a house without a real estate agent. What to watch out for if you’re set on going through the homebuying process alone. Q: What do you think about buying a property without a buyer's agent? What tips would you share for home buyers who do not want to use [...]
Buying a house during the COVID-19 pandemic: what you should know. Some homebuyers regret rushing the process to benefit from low mortgage rates. Mortgage rates reached another all-time low in September (9th time this year!), with Freddie Mac showing the 30-year fixed rate falling to 2.86 percent. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best [...]
Why are pocket listings banned? Explaining the reasoning behind the National Association of Realtors (NAR) banning pocket listings. Q: You recently answered a question about a home seller paying the commission to an agent for a "pocket listing." You bypass the larger issue and the reason that so-called pocket listings are against the National Association [...]
Mortgage delinquency rates spike in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. The latest loan insights show a 3.1 percent jump in overall delinquencies in just one year. Mortgage Delinquency Rates Spike in 2020 Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Having trouble paying your mortgage? If so, you’re not alone. Looking back in the early days of the pandemic, [...]
