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Home mortgage provides array of tax breaks

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

If you feel better knowing you can deduct the mortgage-interest portion of your huge annual housing expenses, make sure you know exactly how much you can deduct.

One of the more popular topics I've had with accountants this year is regarding mortgage interest. You can deduct only interest on the original amount of the loan at the time you refinance, plus $100,000. For example, let's say you purchased your home 10 years ago for $100,000 and took out a loan for $80,000. Since then, you have paid the loan down to $20,000.  more...

Seismic retrofit advice deemed 'irresponsible'

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

Not long ago, we published a question from one of our readers who was motivated to begin seismically retrofitting his home after seeing the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. We tried to assist by pointing him to three Web sites with information on seismic retrofitting.

He was looking for resources that would help him learn about the process, so he could make informed judgments about recommendations made by professionals. At least at this time, he was not looking for specific instructions on how he could retrofit his house.  more...

Fed up with rising mortgage insurance

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, April 2, 2006.

When Kenisha and Greg Brantly bought their home, they obtained a 100 percent no-down-payment home loan from SouthStar Funding LLC. However, SouthStar required the Brantlys to obtain private mortgage insurance (PMI) to minimize the lender's risk.

The lender arranged PMI from Republic Mortgage Insurance Co. The Brantlys pay a monthly PMI premium of $590 for this insurance.  more...

Selling inherited house hits roadblock

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, April 2, 2006.  more...