Real Estate
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New Web site could jump-start loan modificationsAug 08, 2009 11:00 pm - With no end to the housing crisis in sight, the need to modify loan contracts to make payments more affordable is greater than ever. While the number of modifications is...
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Large, wooded properties preserve Prospect Heights' rural feelAug 06, 2009 11:00 pm - Prospect Heights offers the best of two worlds. A rustic atmosphere pervades on the city's West side, where large single-family homes sit on sprawling lots with mature l...
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IRS says it will closely monitor tax credit to look for cheatsAug 06, 2009 11:00 pm - WASHINGTON - The IRS has an urgent message for would-be home purchasers: Make the most of the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit before it disappears Dec. 1 - if you qua...
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Ask mortgage lender to guarantee fixed-dollar feesAug 01, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. Do you agree with the advice contained in the recent USA Today article, in which you were quoted, on how to save on settlement costs? A. That article made me real...
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Furniture polish wipes kitchen cabinets cleanAug 01, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. About 35 years ago, we had kitchen cabinets installed (all-wood, dark oak). Over the years, they have retained a certain amount of grease and grime. I've tried variou...
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Real estate agents should know the importance of inspectionAug 01, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. When I bought my home, my Realtor arranged for a home inspection. She had me write a check to the inspector but didn't tell me when the inspection was to take place. ...
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Title insurance is a wise choice with troubled builderAug 01, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. My husband and I are buying a repossessed, foreclosed house from a bank. It is a new house, and we know for a fact that many of the people who worked on it or supplie...
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Landlords can take steps to minimize disruptive tenantsAug 01, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. I manage a very large rental property and while the majority of our residents are great, we do have occasional "problem tenants" who makes life miserable for everyone...
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A simple guide to the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyersJul 30, 2009 11:00 pm - The government's new tax-credit program for first-time buyers is helping to spark home sales and boost values, but many Americans aren't using the plan because they don'...
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Keep your house cool without turning on the airJul 30, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. I don't like the hot weather, but I am going to make an effort to air-condition less this summer to reduce my electric bills. What can I do to try to stay comfortable...