If you’re a landlord, what should you do if a tenant leaves personal property behind? While the answer may seem simple—just remove the items and move on—there are specific rules to follow, especially if you want to avoid disputes with former tenants or run afoul of the law. Here’s a guide to handling abandoned property … Read more
When people become interested in the real estate market, they often start online, perusing one of the myriad digital sites—from databases like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin to broker and REALTOR websites to media publications. These can be a good place to start, but when you get serious about buying or selling real estate, these online … Read more
If you own your home or any investment properties, it’s likely that these are your most valuable assets, so it makes sense to take good care of them. One way to do so is to get periodic inspections, many of the very same ones you got when you first purchased the property. Although some problems … Read more
If you are a W2 wage earner, your income doesn’t fluctuate with the ups and downs of your employer’s profitability. As long as the business stays afloat, you get paid. Those of us who own businesses, on the other hand, have good years and bad years. We must shift income between years for tax savings, … Read more
Buying a house can be so exciting. Once you think you’re ready to make an offer, here are some ways to ensure the process goes smoothly. Are you sure this is right for you? Choosing a home requires a balance of intellectual reasoning and emotional attachment. If it’s a smart decision but your heart’s not … Read more
A new rule is on the books, and it improves transparency about who pays what to whom in real estate transactions. Previously, when a REALTOR listed a client’s property for sale, the listing agreement would include a commission, and the REALTOR would promise to give half of the fee to the buyer’s REALTOR. This ensured … Read more
As we look ahead to 2025, we see a number of new laws hitting the books, many of which expand tenant rights. On the face of it, these laws may seem innocuous, but each time a new regulation is enacted, there’s often a cost, though it may be hidden. If you own investment property, you … Read more
Any time two or more parties sign a legally binding contract, the need for conflict resolution may arise, which can be addressed via mediation, arbitration, or litigation. With mediation, a neutral third party, a mediator, attempts to bring the parties together, to find a way forward that everyone can agree to without assigning fault or … Read more
Many people, including some REALTORs, think winter is a terrible time to buy or sell a house (or any other property). Between the cold, wet weather and the holiday distractions, REALTORs sometimes recommend that their clients wait until spring to dive into the market. This is not necessarily good advice. I once knew a REALTOR … Read more