If you own a house, condo or cooperative apartment, you might be among the millions of homeowners who unintentionally forget to claim all the tax deductions to which you are entitled.

Just in case you haven't figured it out, Uncle Sam encourages home ownership by awarding special tax breaks not available to non-owners. That's why 68 percent of U.S. households involve homeowners. This result isn't an accident. It's carefully planned government tax policy.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...

Every home builder is keenly interested in the opinions of potential home buyers. Many run focus groups to help them figure out what the next new thing that will translate into zillions of sales will be. But the builders never talk to the buyers' children, even though their opinions can greatly influence a purchase.  more...

There are always plenty of lease-option buyers and there is always a shortage of lease-option sellers. This is because most property buyers and sellers – plus their realty agents – don't have a clue how to put a lease-option transaction together.

Lease-options are a combination real estate rental, sales and finance technique. Primarily, it is a lease of a property with monthly rent paid by the tenant to the owner. Secondarily, a lease-option gives the tenant the "opportunity" to buy the property on the agreed terms.  more...

Albert died in 1990, leaving 582 acres to his relatives. Among the parcels was a property left to cousins Suzanne and Cathryn as co-owners.

James, another relative, held a right of first refusal to buy the parcel if Suzanne and Cathryn should decide to sell their property. A right of first refusal gives the holder the right to match any purchase offer received from a buyer of the property. But the holder of a right of first refusal cannot force a sale if the property owner doesn't want to sell.  more...

If you are a real estate agent, or thinking of becoming a real estate licensee, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Real Estate Agent" by Marilyn Sullivan is a must read. But don't be turned off by the title. I didn't like it either.

This new guidebook begins very slowly, almost boringly, but by the conclusion it evolves into a winner. The book provides a survey of what new real estate agents should expect and what experienced realty agents should aspire to become.  more...

Dear Barry,

We're buying a new home and are on a very tight budget, so we've decided to do our own home inspection. We've already gotten some pointers from friends and would like some professional advice as well. Please let us know what important things we should look for when inspecting our new home. –Kari

Dear Kari,  more...

Most purchase contracts include an inspection contingency. Sometimes, the buyers remove this contingency without asking the seller to make any repairs. But if the buyers ask the seller to remedy a defect, the resolution often takes the form of a credit from the seller to the buyer that is applied toward the buyers' nonrecurring closing costs.  more...