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Shower door installation not a place to skimp

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

Q: I'm having cultured marble installed in a shower in my house. The installers have made it clear that they install, period. They won't drill holes to replace the sliding shower door. I don't own a power drill and don't feel confident enough to rent or borrow one and try to drill the holes myself, as I believe a special bit is required. Is there a way to reinstall the shower doors using some kind of adhesive that won't damage the cultured marble? The doorframe is lightweight aluminum and the shower won't get much use.  more...

Landlord losing out on $25,000 tax break

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

DEAR BOB: I know a person who owns his home and owns another residence he rents to his daughter. But he insists the money he gets from his daughter is not rental income. He says it's just enough to pay the mortgage so he doesn't report it on his IRS tax return. But he claims the property taxes and mortgage interest on his personal tax return, Schedule A. Is this correct? --Jose C.  more...

Fraud kills $75 million hotel deal

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

In early 2004, Hotels Nevada owned the Alexis Park Hotel and the American Inn Apartments in Las Vegas. Louis Habash owns and controls Hotels Nevada, and he agreed to sell Hotels Nevada to L.A. Pacific Center Inc. for $75 million.

Richard Alter and Eddie Chan were L.A. Pacific's authorized agents. At their request, Habash agreed to a $5 million holdback from the purchase price for 12 months after the sale.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...