Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, July 16, 2006.

For more than 30 years, Gary Kent Jones owned the house at 717 North Bryan St. in Little Rock, Ark. He lived there with his wife until they separated in 1993. Jones then moved to a nearby apartment. His wife and daughter continued living in the house.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, July 16, 2006.

DEAR BOB: Is it true when someone inherits real estate, which was the deceased's primary residence, the mortgage will be wiped out at the time of death and the property title passes free and clear of all liens? I heard if the property was not the deceased's principal residence, then the heir has to pay the debts --Rick S.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, July 16, 2006.

If you are thinking about building a house or renovating your current home, first read "Be Your Own House Contractor, Fifth Edition" by longtime home builder Carl Heldmann. This very valuable new book explains, according to the author, how to shave at least 25 percent off construction costs of a new house.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, July 16, 2006.

DEAR BOB: I am the fifth owner of an 80-year-old house. I have owned it for 11 years. While trying to determine why a patch of my lawn was dying, I discovered the home's original underground heating oil tank. This was not disclosed to me when I bought the house. As best I can determine, the tank has not been used for 35 years. It is empty. I estimate it to be 700 gallons. Should this have been disclosed to me? --Gary J.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, July 16, 2006.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.

Spring is the traditional peak sales season for houses and condos. Summer is also usually very good until the traditional August slump, especially for families who want to relocate before school starts. More prospective home buyers are in the market at this time of the year than during any other season.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.

Homeowners Derrick and Carol Scott have a homeowner's insurance policy with Allstate Insurance Co. On April 16, 2004, a fire severely damaged their home and its contents.

Derrick Scott stated that on the day of the fire he noticed a "wet spot" on the floor of his garage. He decided to investigate the nature of this "wet spot" by lighting it with a match.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.

If you can move any place in the United States to raise your family, first read "Best Places to Raise Your Family," by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander. This unique book reveals the top 100 best towns for families, based primarily on standard of living, education, lifestyle, and health and safety considerations.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 11, 2006.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 18, 2006.

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's property" is part of the Ten Commandments. But real estate law in every state says it is all right to steal your neighbor's land without going to jail if you comply with state law.

That news may be shocking. However, it's true. In fact, statutes in every state encourage the theft of your neighbor's unused property.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 18, 2006.  more...

Editor's note: Robert Bruss is temporarily away. The following column from Bruss' "Best of" collection first appeared Sunday, June 18, 2006.

DEAR BOB: I gave my tenant the required notice to move, confirmed with a receipt of notice. She agreed to move out. But the unit is now locked, no one is there, and her car is parked in the driveway. I phoned several times, but no reply. What options do I have? I already hired a contractor to update the unit, based on the tenant's promise to move out on schedule --Paras R.  more...