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Mortgage disclosure amendments do more harm than good

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, November 29, 2004.

"The grapevine says that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seriously considering a proposal by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) for amending mortgage disclosure requirements. Is their proposal good for borrowers?"  more...

How can I ensure real estate passes to correct person?

By Robert Bruss, Monday, November 29, 2004.

DEAR BOB: I live with my "significant other" in his house. That is not the issue. We recently bought a second home together. He has three daughters. I have one son. How will this second home be divided between the survivor and the children when one of us dies? – Susan D.  more...

No-dog provision violates tenant's rights

By Robert Griswold, Monday, November 29, 2004.

Question: I live in an apartment building that only allows cats, but no dogs. My daughter wants to visit me for two days and she has a little dog that she must bring with her. My manager says she can't even have it on the property even if she is just visiting. Can they do that?

Landlord's attorney Smith replies:  more...

New Urbanism struggles for survival in America

By Arrol Gellner, Monday, November 29, 2004.

A few blocks from my office, there's a dreary, 10-year-old strip mall fronted by literally acres of unrelieved parking lot. Though it has no fewer than five separate entrances for cars, God help anyone who dares to approach the place on foot.  more...

Taking possession of home before closing gets risky

By Dian Hymer, Monday, November 29, 2004.

Rarely do you find a home to buy that's in exactly the condition you'd like it to be. Even if the home is new, relatively new or well-maintained, you may want to make changes to the decor so that it suits your style preferences and works with your possessions.

It would be great if this sort of work could be done before you move in. If the home you're buying is vacant, what's wrong with taking possession early and completing the improvements before closing?  more...

The uses and drawbacks of laser tools

By Paul Bianchina, Monday, November 29, 2004.

Laser tools have been getting a lot of attention in the construction industry for many years. They have revolutionized many of the leveling and measuring tasks on construction sites of all sizes, but their high cost has kept laser-equipped tools pretty much for the pros only. 

However, in the last couple of years, several manufacturers have started introducing laser-equipped tools with the homeowner in mind.  more...