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Give me your house, I'll pay top dollar!

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, November 1, 2006.

You have found the ideal nearby neighborhood and for years have coveted a certain house on a quiet street. The fruit trees, creative landscaping and ballpark-size backyard all are terrific pieces of what you envision your all-star place to include. You often say aloud, "If these people ever sell this place, I'd be first in line."

Then one day, panicked by the number of new people moving into the area, you decide to take the next step in possibly ensuring a leg-up of future competition.  more...

Herbicides: No weed too tough to kill

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, November 1, 2006.

Q: Four years ago my husband and I had concrete pavers installed to replace a very large 60-year-old patio in our backyard that was cracked and dangerous.

We love the look and feel of the pavers, but every year at this time we have big problems with moss and weeds growing in the cracks between the tiles. This gets worse each year.

I use a gardening tool to dig out the offending material. Although it seems to work, at least until the following year when it is wet and shady again, it is extremely time-consuming and tedious.  more...

Lawsuit erupts over lease-option purchase price

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, November 1, 2006.

Lipton-U. City LLC leased a large self-service storage building from Shurgard Storage Centers Inc. A provision in the lease gave Lipton an option to acquire the property.

However, the lease-option did not specify the option purchase price. Lipton thought the option price was based on the unannualized net operating income.  more...

Umbrella insurance a wise choice for realty investors

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, November 1, 2006.

DEAR BOB: Thanks for your recent suggestion that homeowners and realty investors with a net worth over $1 million can save money with an excess coverage "umbrella liability" policy for $2 million or $3 million at very low cost. However, when I contacted my insurance agent about getting an umbrella policy, he said I must first form an LLC (limited liability company) to hold title to my investment properties. I called several other insurers and they do not require holding title to investment properties in an LLC.  more...