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Mortgage-interest tax break lacking in benefits

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, September 19, 2007.

(This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Read Part 2, "Paying home loan biweekly can save thousands.")

The roller-coaster ride provided by the subprime fallout has brought the "pay-it-off sooner" idea back to the front burner for many homeowners.  more...

Reuse brick for a variety of projects

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, September 19, 2007.

Q: We're doing a master-bedroom addition. To get the space for the bedroom, we need to remove a 30-foot brick wall. Is it feasible to save the brick? How labor intensive is removing the mortar (the house was built in 1953) to be able to reuse the brick? If you think it's feasible to recycle the brick, could you weigh in on the best technique and tools? My teenage sons are eager to begin.

A: Be still our hearts. Did we hear right? Teenagers who want to work! And manual labor at that. Your boys are to be congratulated.  more...

No loan for home day-care center

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, September 19, 2007.

Kim Sisemore, a mother of a 3-year-old daughter, is licensed to operate a family day-care center for up to 14 children in her residence. She applied for a home loan from Master Financial Inc. to enable her to buy a house suitable for her day-care business.

Although Sisemore was otherwise qualified for the mortgage, Master Financial rejected her application, stating in writing it "will not make loans with home day care if the home day-care income is required to qualify."  more...

Let me take that vacant lot off your hands

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, September 19, 2007.

DEAR BOB: How does adverse possession work? I have been using about 20 feet of the vacant lot next door for the last 14 years. I tried to contact the owners, but my letters were always returned unopened. --Pam C.  more...