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Foreclosed homeowners fall victim to new scam

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

Defaulting on your mortgage is one thing, but ending up in foreclosure is an entirely different feeling of loss, hurt, frustration and embarrassment.

Most residential lenders will tell you that consumers will do everything in their power to keep from losing their homes (the only aberration would be calloused investors who walk away from mortgages when their would-be, short-term goldmines turn into a bust).  more...

Power-wash wreaks havoc on outdoor teak furniture

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

Q: We have (whoops, had) beautiful high-end, outdoor teak furniture. Several years ago it had just reached that lovely patina-stage of aging and was very smooth to touch.

While we were away on vacation, a neighbor rented a power washer to clean his driveway. Looking over to our property he decided to do us a favor. You guessed it! He power-washed all our teak. When we came home we found pale furniture whose wood grain was striped and very rough.

Holding back my anger I asked what I should do next. He said to sand it and put on a finish of linseed oil and turpentine.  more...

Church faces uphill battle in mold lawsuit

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

The Church of the Palms discovered extensive mold damage in one of its buildings, which is insured under an all-risk policy with the Cincinnati Insurance Co.

According to the policy, "The Church is covered by an all-risk policy, which excludes losses caused by rust, corrosion, fungus, decay, deterioration, hidden or latent defect or any quality in property that causes itself to damage or destroy itself or for losses resulting from faulty, inadequate or defective design, specifications, workmanship, repair, and construction."

Purchase Bob Bruss  more...

Condo developer's lie hurts resale values

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

DEAR BOB: When I purchased a new condominium last year, I was told it would be an owner-occupied building and investor-speculators would not be allowed. But I later learned friends, family and acquaintances of the builder were allowed to invest and buy all the best units at the lowest prices. Now my building is mostly renters rather than owner-occupied units. This hurts the value of my condo, which I must now sell due to job relocation. Do I have any legal recourse against the builder for misrepresentation or fraud since he lied to me?  more...