Total Number of News: 6130
- 7/3/2008 - Real Estate News
Person-to-person loan last hope after bankruptcy
Q: I am in Chapter 7 bankruptcy and will receive my discharge at the end of July. I'm losing my house and car in the bankruptcy. What will be the best way for me to finance a used car with a bankruptcy on my credit? I will be moving into an apartment. ... - 7/2/2008 - Real Estate News
Do 1980s ceilings contain asbestos?
Q: Could you advise about "popcorn" ceilings and whether they have asbestos in them? How do you get rid of them and is it expensive? We are thinking of buying a 1987 house that has these ceilings throughout. Our doctor recommended getting the... - 7/2/2008 - Real Estate News
Sellers hate stigma that comes with re-listing
Q: We live in Baltimore and are trying to sell our house. My agent tells me that my listing has to be withdrawn from the local multiple listing service (MLS) for at least six months, otherwise the number of days on market will carry forward from my old... - 7/1/2008 - Real Estate News
Synthetic stucco gets bad rap
Q: We have a synthetic stucco house (it has an EIFS exterior). We have it inspected annually by a synthetic stucco inspector and we maintain it very well. Yet we know the stigma surrounding synthetic stucco homes. We were just told that it would proba... - 6/30/2008 - Real Estate News
Think twice before buying investment property
Anecdotal evidence suggests that in some markets investors are buying foreclosure properties at bargain prices. These properties are located in areas that appear to have good growth potential, and they generate enough rental income to at least offset t... - 6/30/2008 - Real Estate News
Interest-only loans often sold on false promises
One of the fairy tales borrowers frequently hear is that a loan carrying an interest-only (IO) option is priced better than the same loan without the option. It is a fairy tale because the IO allows the borrower to avoid paying down the loan balance, w... - 6/30/2008 - Real Estate News
Condo foreclosed but HOA fees keep coming
DEAR BENNY: Recently my condominium unit was foreclosed upon, but the association has now sued me for unpaid condominium assessments. Am I still responsible for this debt? --William DEAR WILLIAM: Unfortunately you are, but only until the foreclosure s... - 6/27/2008 - Real Estate News
Some remodels endure endless inspections
If you're thinking of doing some improvements on your home, especially extensive ones, chances are you'll need a building permit. So you head down to your local building department, fill out an application and provide whatever information they require,... - 6/26/2008 - Real Estate News
Why can't mom have live-in assistant?
Q: We're landlords with a somewhat off-beat question. My mother is about to enter a continuing-care residential community, which requires her to be able to "live independently." She is independent now, and will have no problems taking care o... - 6/26/2008 - Real Estate News
Readers share tips on 100% loans, home insurance
The mailbag has been filling up lately with comments on recent stories, so I've included a sampling in today's column. Some of the letters have been edited or condensed for clarity and length. For more letters or to continue the conversation, please g...