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  1. My mother-in-law wants to help us buy a home she owns. How can we do it legally?

      Reader Question: My mother-in-law would like to do a rent-to-own agreement on a house she currently owns with my husband and me. The house is free and clear, and she wants to help us out. We would like to buy the house in about two years. What are both parties’ legal obligations in a […]

    Categories
    Gathering Information
    Home Buying
  2. I want to make a proposal to my next door neighbor to buy his property. Do you have any suggestions as to how to approach them?

    Reader Question: I want to create a successful real estate proposal for a property owner. These are modest houses in a decent neighborhood where we own other rentals. One is vacant. We have a rental right next to the homes I would like to purchase. I have become somewhat of a friend of the homeowner to […]

    Categories
    Home Owning
    Neighbor Relations
  3. I want to give buyers permission to move in my home before closing. What do I have to do to be legal?

      Reader Question: Pre-closing occupancy is okay with me. I am selling my home myself. The buyer wants to move furniture in before closing? I want to do it legally. Help! Thanks, Mary T. Monty’s Answer: Your question is one of the thorniest situations in real estate transactions. The potential of alienating the buyer by saying […]

    Categories
    Home Selling
    Negotiating for Sellers
  4. We received a low eminent domain offer from the Department of Transportation. How can we get a fair price?

    Reader Question: We are in the middle of an eminent domain offer. Our rental house is being taken for a new highway. We have 101,685 square foot property with a 1466 square foot 3 bedroom, two bath house. The Department of Transportation (DOT) offer came in at two hundred thousand dollars. Based on other sales […]

    Categories
    Determining Price
    Home Selling
  5. All the owners except one keep their homes sharp. One owner's house looks like a junkyard. Can we sue the owner for loss of property value?

    Reader Question: Can you tell me if a homeowner can sue a sloppy neighbor or the city for not taking action on a neglected property? We have owned our home for fourteen years now. The neighbors take good care of their property. But, three years ago the pristine property across the street was sold. The […]

    Categories
    Home Owning
    Neighbor Relations

More Home Buying Categories

  • Applying for a Mortgage
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  • Making an Offer
  • Moving Day
  • Negotiating
  • Pre-Qualifying for a Mortgage
  • Satisfying Contingencies
  • Viewing Homes
  • More Home Owning Categories

  • Home Finances
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  • Income Properties
  • Neighbor Relations
  • More Home Selling Categories

  • Accepting an Offer
  • Choosing a Selling Broker
  • Closing as the Seller
  • Determining Price
  • Inspecting the Home as a Seller
  • Marketing and Showing
  • Moving Day for the Seller
  • Negotiating for Sellers
  • Planning with Experts
  • Preparing Your Home
  • Receiving Offers
  • Satisfying Seller Contingencies
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