Dear Barry,

I am a 37-year-old woman who is interested in becoming a home inspector. What can you tell me about the ups and downs of being an inspector and about the income range? Also, what type of person makes a good inspector, and what percentage of home inspectors are women? - Dee

Dear Dee,

Your interest in home inspection is gratifying. Women are definitely under-represented in the profession. I can't give you any statistics on this, but the home inspector conventions I've attended have included fewer women than can be counted on one hand.  more...

Don't let the title "Inside the Not So Big House," by Sarah Susanka with Marc Vassalo, fool you. It is not about just one house. It is about 23 modest-size homes, located throughout the nation, emphasizing the features and details famous home architect Sarah Susanka likes best in each residence.

This is one of those beautiful coffee table-type books (with gorgeous photos by Ken Gutmaker) where the readers can point to the photo of something they want in their next home or in a remodel of their current home. Many of the homes shown are remodels of very old homes.  more...

DEAR BOB: I bought my first house in 2005. My partner lives in it with me, but the mortgage and title are in my name alone because I have better credit. My partner gives me money each month to go toward paying the mortgage. Is this considered rent and therefore taxable? --Clarissa P.

DEAR CLARISSA: From your description of the situation, it appears the money you receive from your partner is rent that you should report on Schedule E of your income tax return.  more...