Do wills really matter?
Q: Why do I need a will? I have one heir — my son — and my only asset is my house. A: That's a great question. At first blush,...
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When a couple that owns a condo splits, what happens to the property?
Q: My former significant other and I own a condo. We have split; she wants to sell and pull out half of the sales proceeds, but I want to stay...
When parents lend money for a condo, how can they secure their investment?
Q: Our son just graduated and got a decent-paying job. He wants to buy a condominium and we are prepared to lend him the entire purchase price. Is there anything...
Can condo association fine an owner if tenant subleased with Airbnb?
Q: I own a condo that I have been renting for several years. The condo association has just hit me with a fine because my tenant has been using Airbnb...
Can a real estate contract be binding if you don’t put money down?
Q: Please resolve a dispute I have with my real estate agent. He says I need to post a money deposit in order to have a binding real estate contract,...
The finer points of VA home loans
Letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs: In a recent column that discussed the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program, it was reported that it will likely take a...
Relocating for work? You can write off moving expenses
Q: I am getting a new job in another city. Can I deduct the moving expenses? A: According to the IRS, "Federal tax laws allow you to deduct your moving...
Can a renter expect a landlord to use security deposit as last month’s rent?
Q: I have been renting an apartment, and my lease will expire at the end of this year. I have taken a job out of the area, and expect to...
Checks and balances can protect associations against embezzlement
Q: I have just been elected president of my 150-unit condominium association and have heard that some property managers throughout the country have embezzled association funds. How can we protect...
VA loans boast major benefits, but processing can be lengthy
Q: All things being equal — putting 20 percent down and being preapproved — is a Department of Veterans Affairs loan more advantageous than a Federal Housing Administration loan? Is...