Have real estate questions? Here, you’ll find helpful articles and other resources that cover issues related to real estate, buying, selling, financing, refinancing, credit and debt, insurance, second homes, vacation homes, real estate investment, new construction, and renovation.
What Happens If You Inherit a House with a Mortgage?
What happens if you inherit a house with a mortgage? These readers want to know what to do if the mortgage exceeds the value of the property. Q: My husband's stepmother added him to the title to her home prior to death. She added him as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship. We understand [...]
Real Estate Insights on Commission Splits and EBAs
Real estate insights on commission splits and exclusive buyer agents. Real estate market insiders give their take on trending topics. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had several responses to columns that have run, especially the one that explained in greater detail how real estate agent and broker commissions work. Real Estate Insights on Residential [...]
First-Time Home Buying Tips for 2020
First-time home buying tips for 2020. A look at the real estate market heading into 2020 and four tips for homebuyers in the new year. In a few days, we’ll start a new decade. Rarely has a decade produced the kind of wild swings in residential real estate prices as we’ve seen over the past [...]
How to Leave Property to a Child
How to leave property to a child. This reader wants her daughter to inherit her home, but doesn’t want her to have to go through probate. Q: I am a 77-year old widowed woman. I have a house with a mortgage that I purchased a little over a year ago. At the closing, I asked [...]
Can a Board of Directors Change the Bylaws?
Can a board of directors change the bylaws? This townhome owner is worried about the board redoing the declaration and bylaws without owner approval. Q: I live in a townhouse community. Our association’s board of directors is redoing our declaration and by-laws without approval of the owners. They say they are just bringing the language [...]
How Are Capital Losses Deducted?
How are capital losses deducted? This reader wants to know how to go about claiming long-term capital losses on income taxes. Q: My wife and I sold two adjacent properties via quit claim deeds this year. We originally bought the properties in 1994 for $20,000, ($10,000 each) as an investment. We thought we’d build rentals [...]
Who Is Responsible for Condo Repairs?
Who is responsible for condo repairs? This reader wants to know why they have to pay for painting their unit after damage from association work. Q: Last year my condo association had a company replace the roof in many of our buildings. I live on the top floor of my building. When the new roof [...]
Who Is Responsible for Recording a Deed?
Who is responsible for recording a deed? This reader wants to know how a home can be titled in the previous homeowners' names 20 years after the sale. Q: I’m writing to you regarding your column relating to when you get a tax bill for a home you no longer own. There is actually a [...]
Is an Unrecorded Deed Valid?
Is an unrecorded deed valid? This reader transferred ownership of the home but is receiving tax bills, are they still the legal owner of the property? Q: My wife and I had a lakehouse. The home originally belonged to her ex-husband before he went to prison. We had an agreement with him that while he [...]
How Capital Gains Tax on the Sale of a Property Held in a Trust Works
How capital gains tax on the sale of a property held in a trust works. This reader wants to know if they can claim a capital loss on the sale. Q: I enjoyed your column in the Washington Post. I am trustee of my father's trust. Upon his death, his 50 percent interest in the [...]