Property is anything you own, whether it’s land, a house, electronics, a car, or collectibles. Learn more here about buying and selling property, taxes, and protecting your assets.
Ownership Of Property Questioned During Divorce
Even if you are married, you can own title in your own name. You can also own title in the name of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or even in a trust. As a general rule, property that is purchased during a marriage might give the spouse rights in that property. Whether the property was purchased in escrow probably doesn't matter. The escrow agent is only obligated to follow the instructions in the agreement to close the transaction and does not have a duty to advise the buyer or the seller as to the merits or pitfalls of the transaction.
Easement Agreement Determines Property Use
Even if you have an easement on a property, the property owner retains ultimate rights to the property. So if your driveway is on land with an easement, but you don't own the property, it may be a problem. While you may be able to come to an agreement with a current neighbor, that could change with new neighbors. The easement agreement language is key to understanding this dispute.
Wait To Transfer Property Through Inheritance
It is probably better to transfer property through inheritance, rather than gifting or quit claiming the property. With inheritance, the property will be transferred at the market value of the day of the land, and both parties will avoid a big tax bill.
Assuming A Mortgage Under Foreclosure
Should you use a website service to find property listings to assume the mortgage. There is a difference between assuming a mortgage, and buying a house "subject to" the existing mortgage. Lenders' activity is changing in the current real estate market and assuming a mortgage could involve different conditions.
Rental Property: A Financially Successful Investment
Owning rental property can be a financially successful investment. Ilyce advises a reader who recently bought her first rental property on how to make her investment a financial success. One of the most important ways to make owning a rental property a financially successful investment is by renting to quality tenants.
Property Transfer To Family: Inheritance Or Gift Best Way?
Should a person give a family member property or let the person inherit it? Ilyce tells the reader that inheriting property is better than receiving it as a gift because of the taxes involved. Putting the property in trust and bequeathing it to a family member upon the person's death helps the receiver avoid gift taxes.
Hire Attorney To Resolve Title Problems
When your spouse passes away and the title to your home has the name of another individual on it, what can you do? One option is to offer to buy out the other party whose name is on the title to the home. Another option is to hire an estate attorney to resolve title problems.
Comment From Today’s Show: Quit Claim Deed
I received a call asking me to explain the uses of a quit claim deed. I said that, generally speaking, a quit claim deed transfers whatever ownership ...
Contractor May Help Avoid Extensive Landscaping Changes
What can you do when the property that borders yours is to undergo extensive landscaping changes? Do you have a say in the matter? Even if your local government has approved the landscaping changes you may be able to provide an alternative by suggesting a qualified contractor.