Dear Barry,  more...

Sandy Botkin's new book "Real Estate Tax Secrets of the Rich" explains tax benefits for homeowners and investors in an easy-to-read, authoritative format. The blessedly short chapters include simple explanations of sometimes-complicated tax rules with lots of examples and "Sandy's elaborations," which provide practical implementation advice.  more...

DEAR BOB: I love your column and hope you can help us get our home sold. It has been listed for sale more than five months. The local market is very slow now. The listing agent has the house on her Web site and occasionally holds a weekend open house. What can we do to get our house sold so we can buy another home near my husband's new job site? --Kendra S.

DEAR KENDRA: The primary reason a house doesn't sell is it is overpriced. If your home has been listed for sale more than five months, something is seriously wrong.  more...