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Creepy critters' removal falls on landlord's shoulders

By Robert Griswold, Thursday, March 2, 2006.

Question: I am the owner of a lovely home that I have rented out for the past few years while I am on assignment in London. I have owned the house for 18 years and have never had a problem with rats getting into the house until this winter. However, I do acknowledge that the little beasts are in the fields all around the area. When the tenants found rats in their kitchen they expected me to deal with the problem. I said that they should set some traps, etc., which they did.  more...

Financial hardship may qualify owner for real estate tax break

By Robert Bruss, Thursday, March 2, 2006.

DEAR BOB: My fiance and I built our home about a year ago. He has since changed jobs and moved to Arizona. I am still living in our house. We are not married, but we own the house 50/50. He wants to sell it. The market value has greatly appreciated because it is a one-of-a-kind custom home on a beautiful lot. I can't afford to live in it alone and wait another year for that two-year owner-occupied $250,000 tax exemption. But I hate the thought of paying capital gain tax. What should I do?  more...