"Real Estate Dealmaking," By George F. Donohue (Dearborn-Kaplan Publishing Co., Chicago), 2005, $19.95, 177 pages; Available in stock or by special order at bookstores, public libraries, and www.amazon.com.

If you are a serious real estate buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, property manager or realty agent involved in negotiations, you will be at a severe disadvantage if you don't study "Real Estate Dealmaking" by George F. Donohue. The author is president of William B.  more...

DEAR BOB: I recently attended a real estate seminar conducted by an attorney. She said that even vacation-homeowners who have never rented their second homes can qualify for an Internal Revenue Code 1031 tax-deferred exchange of such property because they held it as an investment property in expectation of an increase in market value. Do you agree? How can I substantiate this position? – Joe P.

DEAR JOE: No, I don't agree with my fellow attorney. Ask if she has any Tax Court decisions or other basis to support her opinion.  more...

Dear Barry,

I purchased a condo less than a year ago and have grown to despise it because I hear my neighbors above me talking, watching television, walking across their floor, arguing, and so on. I've added insulation to the ceiling, but the noise persists. Recently, I learned that this condition is due to a construction defect. The condo association won a lawsuit against the builders many years ago, but the outcome was a money settlement with the original owners, rather than correction of the problem.  more...