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Fannie Mae reverse mortgages help seniors buy real estate

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, May 12, 2004.

DEAR BOB: Thank you for your recent article about reverse-mortgage benefits for senior-citizen homeowners. But a short paragraph really got my attention. You said something about Fannie Mae offering reverse mortgages for home purchases. My wife and I have been talking about selling our big, old house, while the market is excellent in our town, and buying a nice two-bedroom house all on one level without any steps. We're not disabled, but climbing the steps to the bedrooms is getting to be a chore. Also, I'm worried one of us might slip and fall on the stairs.  more...

First-time investor skeptical of Realtor ethics

By Robert Griswold, Wednesday, May 12, 2004.

Question: I am thinking about buying my first rental property. Naturally, I want to buy a house or condo that will be easy to rent and that will turn profitable as soon as possible. I am looking throughout my area, but I have this feeling that most real estate agents would just try to sell me something in their specific neighborhood whether that area is good for rental properties or not. Then last night I saw a real estate expert on television advising that the best deals are on rental properties in other parts of the country. I am confused and don't know which advice is right.  more...