One hundred years ago when Frank Lloyd Wright was designing houses, he also designed the furniture, light fixtures, trim, cabinetry, stained-glass windows, drapes, table linens, and in some cases, even the dresses of the owners.

This degree of customization was possible not only because the clients were extremely wealthy. There was also an army of artisans readily available to execute whatever Wright designed. Today, even extremely wealthy clients cannot expect the degree of customization that Wright routinely delivered because the number of craftsmen is dramatically smaller.  more...

Just about everybody understands the need to purchase automobile and homeowner's insurance to protect against unexpected losses that are often more costly than most of us can afford to pay. We hope we never have to file such a claim but, just in case, we pay relatively affordable premiums for protection.

However, when buying or selling a house or condominium, there is another type of insurance with which most of us are unacquainted.  more...

DEAR BOB: My dad died about six months ago. He was the surviving joint-tenant owner of the house where he and my mother lived for 34 years. She died in 1998. I am their only child. But my father did not leave a will. As I live about 600 miles away, I have no use for the house and want to sell it. However, a local probate attorney tells me that because there was no will or a living trust, a probate court proceeding is required. He said there is an expedited procedure, but it will take about six months, maybe longer. His fee, according to the state statute, will be about $6,400.  more...

Every community has an abundant supply of fixer-upper houses, and in this column we'll discuss the major sources of these profitable homes:

1. REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND THE LOCAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS). The most obvious source of "fixers" is the local MLS and the local real estate agents who have houses listed for sale. Over the years, I probably bought at least 50 percent of my fix-up rental houses through this source.  more...