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Preparing to make retirement move

By Dian Hymer, Monday, January 31, 2005.

Making a retirement move can be daunting. It involves a complicated decision-making process. When should you make the move? Where do you want to live? What kind of care will you need? How much can you afford? The mere thought that a retirement move could be your last move is enough to stop many seniors in their tracks.  more...

Are real estate loan prices ever negotiable?

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, January 31, 2005.

"When are mortgage prices negotiable, or are they ever?"

The general rule is that interest rates and points are negotiable when the person the borrower is dealing with has the discretion to change them. (Points are an upfront charge expressed as a percent of the loan.) In most cases, borrowers deal with either commissioned loan officers (LOs) or mortgage brokers. LOs usually have discretion to change the rate and points, and brokers always do.  more...

Inspection contingency may save buyer from losing deposit

By Robert Bruss, Monday, January 31, 2005.

DEAR BOB: Your recent column containing a question from a home buyer who was worried about losing his $4,000 deposit because the house miserably failed the home inspection made me wonder why the buyer's agent didn't make the offer contingent on a satisfactory home inspection. Had he done so, there would be no problem and the buyer would have received his $4,000 refund with no hassle.  more...