DEAR BOB: I own a two-acre lot in an area of mostly one-acre lots. A neighbor wants to buy a half acre from me so he can build what I call a "McMansion." He needs a larger lot to accommodate the size home he and his wife want to build. We don't mind because it won't be close to our house and having a highly valued house next to ours should enhance our home's market value. However, we don't know how to value a half-acre lot where there are no lots for sale. Also, what legal steps must be followed to deed a half acre?  more...

There are three types of real estate investment opportunities that should be avoided if profits are your main goal. Here they are:

1. AVOID BUYING HOUSES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. Fortunately, the long-term trend for sound, well-located U.S. houses has always been up. But along the way, there are peaks, valleys and plateaus. "Are we in a real estate bubble?" is a question I am frequently asked.  more...