DEAR BOB: Recently I received an unsolicited letter from my bank offering me a "pre-approved" $100,000 home-equity credit line at no cost for the first year. After that, there is a $50 annual fee. I have about $250,000 equity in my home. Although I don't need any money, as my wife and I have plenty of liquid investments, it would be nice to have a home-equity credit line, with its checkbook sitting in the drawer. The interest rate is at the prime rate. Should we accept this offer? – Derek D.  more...

Robin Fortyune is a C-5 quadriplegic who requires both a wheelchair and an aide to attend movie theaters. Robin and his wife, Felicia, attempted to view a first-run film at the American Multi-Cinema (AMC) Theater.

The 4:45 p.m. screening was well attended. AMC "over-sold" tickets for that show. Fortyune and his wife arrived about 20 minutes before showtime. The auditorium has four wheelchair spaces, each adjoined by a companion seat.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...

DEAR BOB: My husband owned his home when we met and later married. We sold that home in 1993 and "rolled over" the profit into our current home. We are now thinking of selling our current home. How does the new law you often discuss apply to us? – Christine M.

DEAR CHRISTINE: Thank you for bringing up an often-overlooked aspect of wonderful Internal Revenue Code 121.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dan Ramsey has written many excellent real estate books, but his latest, "What the 'Experts' May Not Tell You About Buying a House or Apartment," is an uneven, disappointing book that offers both great insights and inaccurate information. As a longtime real estate book reviewer, I would love to tell you this is a great book, or it is trash. Unfortunately, neither statement is correct.  more...

DEAR BOB: About five years ago, my wife and I were given a home in Florida. It is now worth about $800,000. We use it four months each winter. If we sell it, and buy another property worth the same amount, is there a capital gain tax to be paid? What is the best way to avoid paying capital gain tax on our sale profit? – Maxwell D.  more...

A home seller's worst nightmare is to be sued by the buyers after the deal is done. This is precisely what happened to a California home seller who was less than forthright about the condition of his property.

California is one of many states that require home sellers to comply with disclosure requirements when they sell. The seller mentioned above was sued because he failed to disclosure a drainage problem.  more...

A few weeks ago I was in Washington, D.C., attending a seminar. One day I enjoyed lunch with a longtime real estate investor from Florida, a prospective realty investor from Philadelphia, and another prospective real estate tycoon from New York City. Because two of us were realty investors, the discussion soon turned to the pros and cons of investing in rental houses.

We all noted houses are currently the best long-term real estate investments. Most homeowners will agree their best financial investment has been their personal residence.  more...

Presuming you own and live in a qualifying residence, the next step is to consider which reverse mortgage lender is best for you.  more...

DEAR BOB: My husband and I purchased a rental property some years ago. We only have seven years left on the mortgage payments. But we are pondering selling. How will we be affected by capital gains taxes? Can we reinvest the equity earned and avoid the tax? – Delmayne C.

DEAR DELMAYNE: Congratulations on your profitable rental property investment. You have probably enjoyed the depreciation tax shelter over many years.  more...