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Real estate partners feud over dubious rental practice

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, February 1, 2006.

In 1980, a general partnership known as 3-D acquired a house that had been converted into offices. Since 1981, most of the building has been rented to one of the partners, William Daniels, Esq. Eight years later, Daniels' client, Benny Enea, purchased a one-third interest in the 3-D general partnership from John P. Daniels.

In 2001, Enea questioned William about the modest rent being paid for his offices. At this point, the relationship "began to unravel." Two years later, Enea disassociated himself from the partnership.  more...

HUD lifts cap on senior-citizen reverse mortgages

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, February 1, 2006.

Federal legislators are divided on numerous topics in the nation's capitol, but expanding the possibilities for senior citizens to live more comfortably is not one of them.

Members from both sides of the aisle are finally seeing the light on reverse mortgages, the once-controversial program that allows seniors to draw from the equity in their home without making payments or outliving their home's value. The first step was the recent passage of the Reverse Mortgage to Help America's Seniors Act by the U.S.  more...

Refinishing hardwood floors perfect for do-it-yourselfer

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

Q: I live in San Francisco in a house that was built in 1962. There are hardwood floors covered by wall-to-wall carpeting throughout. I pulled up the carpet in the hallway to expose the floor. I am planning to install a laminate floating floor in the kitchen that I will try to match to the hardwood floor in the hallway.

My question is about refinishing the floor. It is a small hall, about 4 feet by 10 feet. I would like to do it myself. The floor looks very good except for the perimeter, where the carpet tack strips were.

Do you think a light sanding will do the job?  more...

How long does title insurance policy last?

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, February 1, 2006.

DEAR BOB: When my wife and I bought our home in 1972 we obtained an owner's title insurance policy from First American Title Insurance Co. We kept the policy in our "little drawer" in the desk, where we keep other valuables including our deed, wills, insurance policies, photos, etc. Has this title insurance policy expired? How long should we keep that policy? --Erwin H.

DEAR ERWIN: The answer to your question is: owner's title insurance policies are in effect as long as the property buyer or the heirs own the property.  more...