Today's Real Estate News
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A pro's take on attic ventilationA tip to properly exhaust hot airPaul BianchinaInman NewsQ: My house currently has a continuous ridge vent in the attic and two gable vents (one on each end of the attic). However, it has no soffit vents...
4 common real estate deal-killersEmotions take back seat to money in today's marketDian HymerInman NewsIn May of this year, the sellers of an architect-designed home in the hills above Oakland, Calif., received two offers in less...
Reap benefits from cash-in refinanceReturn on investment can beat other low-risk optionsJack GuttentagInman NewsCash-in refinancing means putting cash into a transaction by paying down the balance, as opposed to cash-out refinancing where...
2 companies seeking short-sale stridesNew approaches to expediting processSteve BergsmanInman NewsThis past spring, the Treasury Department put into effect the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), which provides incentives...
Bedbug problem bites at tenantRent it RightJanet PortmanInman NewsQ: One unit in our fourplex has a bedbug problem. The landlord hired an exterminator, who found a bug in two other units, so he recommends treating the entire building....
Buyer's deposit off-limits in failed saleREThink Real EstateTara-Nicholle NelsonInman NewsQ: The buyer of our home took us right up to one week before the closing date and backed out, stating he found another home he liked better. We had complied...
Buyer beware of underfunded HOAHome Sale HindsightTara-Nicholle NelsonInman NewsQ: If I purchase a condo with a 97 percent occupancy in its complex with a monthly maintenance fee per owner of $500 per month, and three years later,...
Neighbor vents over water heater noiseDIY pipe extension may do the trickBill and Kevin BurnettInman NewsQ: Our neighbor across the street is complaining about the loud humming sound coming from our water heater exhaust vent and is threatening...
Tax strategy for unused vacation homeConvert to rental, then 1031 exchange to reap benefitsTom KellyInman NewsMike and Claudia McIntosh have not spent one night in their mountain cabin in 2010. One of their sons was married in June; Claudia's...
Avoid landfill cover-up in home saleMust buyers be informed of defunct facility?Barry StoneInman NewsDEAR BARRY: Our home is currently for sale and is located across the street from a landfill that is not currently in operation. There...
5 vacation-rental need-to-knowsNew twists on security deposits, tax collectionMary UmbergerInman NewsWhether it's the state of the economy or because you just don't get around to using the place a lot, you may find yourself thinking...
Buyer seeks justice for faulty disclosureLaw of the LandTara-Nicholle NelsonInman NewsIn the case Johnson v. Baum, Eric Johnson bought a home from David and Norma Baum in Des Moines, Iowa. The terms of the purchase contract provided that Baum...
Common contingency hang-upsFinancing, move-in often succumb to tighter lending guidelinesDian HymerInman News Recently, buyers removed the loan contingency after the lender's underwriter told their mortgage broker that the loan...
Tax loophole for 'underwater' ownersAmendment forgives up to $2M in debtBenny KassInman NewsDEAR BENNY: I have a question relating to a forgiveness-of-debt issue. Let's say a borrower takes out a home loan for $600,000. Later, the borrower...
Win Ben Stein's money adviceBook Review: 'The Little Book of Bulletproof Investing'Tara-Nicholle NelsonInman NewsBook Review Title: "The Little Book of Bulletproof Investing: Do's and Don'ts to Protect Your Financial Life"...