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.
Removal Of Lien Is Buyer’s Responsibility
When you sell a home, the closing agent pays the lender off either by wire transfer the day of the closing or by wire transfer or overnight payment the next business day following your closing. A seller sold a home recently but the lien still has not been filed. The primary concern for the seller should be that the mortgage company was paid off because a lien can take longer to process and is more of a concern for the buyer.
Condo Board Disallows Rentals
A reader owns and rents out a townhouse in Virginia. The board has proposed to completely disallow rentals, therefore disrupting her retirement income. Sam and Ilyce suggest looking for other successful litigation regarding changes in home assoication by-laws in Virginia.
Capital Gains: How Much Tax To Pay On Land Sale
Whenever you sell a property you have to pay capital gains tax on the difference between what the property was worth when you got it versus how much you sell it for. An accountant or tax preparer can help you determine exactly how much capital gains tax you'll pay as well as how much state tax to pay on the land sale. Capital gains tax rates are set by Congress and change periodically.
Ilyce Glink on WSB Radio – September 24, 2006
In this week's show, Ilyce talks Club Med for Dogs and other fancy options for boarding your pet while you're on away. WSB listeners called in with their stories about boarding pets and how they handle the costs involved.
Moisture Trouble With EIFS Home
A reader purchased a synthetic stucco (EIFS) home and now has detected a bubble on the exterior of the home. Buyers should be cautious if purchasing homes with a synthetic stucco exterior. A home inspector with experience in synthetic stucco should always give the home a thorough inspection.
Buying Home With Cash Has Tax Implications
Getting a loan for a home purchase will offer tax deductions, versus buying property with cash. You can write off the interest for either a mortgage or a home equity line of credit. Often a HELOC can be tax deductible where as acash deal has tax implications down the road.
How To Shop For A Mortgage
A home owner is tempted by all the no cost mortgage advertising. He is looking to refinance his mortgage and home equity line of credit (HELOC). Ilyce explains how to shop for a mortgage and advises everyone to beware of deals that seem too good to be true.
Mortgage Interest Rates Reflect Loan Risk
Studies have shown that consumers pay too much for their mortgages. Learn how mortgages are priced and why some borrowers get mortgage loans with higher interest rates than others. Mortgage loan interest rates take the riskiness of the loan into account.
Loan Servicing Agreement Is Standard
A reader was wondering if he had to sign the loan servicing agreement as part of the mortgage closing process. Ilyce explains that the agreement describes what happens if the loan is sold and is a standard part of all mortgage deals.
Builder Won’t Recognize Buyer’s Agent
A reader visited a new development in her neighborhood. The builder's sales representative will now not work with the buyer's agent. Ilyce explains why new developments try to avoid working with buyer's agents and advises the reader how to continue with an offer.