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Second-home purchase gets easier for veterans

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, August 31, 2005.

The tremendous the growth of the housing market is being pushed along by the lower-than-expected long-term interest rates and the idea that real estate is a wise investment. In addition, consumers are more reluctant to plow their hard-earned cash into the inconsistent conventional financial markets and now are buying an additional piece of real estate sooner in their lives.  more...

How to buy out co-heirs of a family home

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, August 31, 2005.

DEAR BOB: My elderly mother, age 86, owns a large home. When she passes on, her living trust specifies it is to go to my two sisters and me. My wife and I would like to then buy it from my sisters. What would be the best way to finance this type of purchase? Also, will we receive a stepped-up basis although our mother holds title in her living trust? Finally, will the property tax be reassessed? – Jerry VonB.

DEAR JERRY: I'm glad to learn your wise mother holds title to her home in her living trust. When she passes on, probate court costs and delays will then be avoided.  more...

Best way to clean mildew off wood, bricks

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, August 31, 2005.

Q: Last June we installed a new redwood deck. After waiting two weeks, my husband treated it with Cabot Australian tree oil. We now have areas that are almost black and others as pristine as the day the deck was installed. I have wiped off the black areas and have found the rag to be covered in a black residue. An apricot tree hangs over part of the deck but the color between the tree's droppings and the color on the deck is inconsistent. What is our problem and how can it be solved?  more...

Big mistakes every homeowner should avoid

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, August 31, 2005.

In 1996, Zarmina Azadozy purchased her property at a mortgage lender's foreclosure sale. But she failed to record her deed.

For several years, she then forgot to pay the property taxes on the property. In 2003, the county tax collector sold the property for unpaid property taxes. The successful high bidder at the tax sale paid more than the amount of unpaid property tax.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...