DEAR BOB: I've owned my home almost 20 years, but the neighborhood is steadily declining. Close to 60 percent of the homes have become rentals. If I list my home for sale with a Realtor, can I specify in the listing contract that the home cannot be purchased for rental? If so, could a prospective owner-occupant buyer somehow legally wrangle around their promise and rent the house?  more...

Before you move to a new town, first read the outstanding new book, "Cities Ranked and Rated," by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander. It is sure to open your eyes to considerations most people don't evaluate when moving to unfamiliar areas.

However, if you are looking for the ideal, perfect place to work or retire, this book won't reveal it. Instead it provides cold, hard statistics and lets the reader learn all they can in concise summaries about each city under consideration.  more...

Dear Barry,

I'm buying a home at a time of year when it may not be possible to obtain a thorough home inspection. The ground and much of the roof are covered with snow, making inspection of these areas nearly impossible. What can a home inspector do to evaluate these critical areas, and what can I do if roof or site problems are discovered after I complete the sale? – Greg

Dear Greg,  more...