David Myers
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Homeowners should be aware of 'green' scam artistsOct 22, 2009 11:00 pm - Millions of homeowners are trying to save energy, but some are unwittingly ripe for a ripoff. Q. A young man came to our door about six weeks ago, and said he could inst...
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Lenders may balk when sellers agree to subsidize buyer's costsOct 15, 2009 11:00 pm - Many sellers today are offering to pay for a buyer's closing costs in order to make a quick sale, but some banks are concerned about such transactions. Q. My wife and I ...
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'Spendthrift trust' can prevent heirs from blowing an inheritanceOct 08, 2009 11:00 pm - Parents with free-spending children often worry that their kids will squander a home or other assets that the folks leave behind after they die. Forming a special "spend...
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Lawmakers may consider reducing home-interest deductionOct 01, 2009 11:00 pm - Some popular real estate tax deductions could be reduced or even eliminated as Congress seeks ways to cut the deficit and pay for new programs. Q. Is it true that Co...
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Home inspections aren't mandatory, but always necessarySep 24, 2009 11:00 pm - No state legally requires a potential buyer to get a home inspection, but those who don't get one increase the chance of buying a real estate "clunker." Sellers should w...
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Filing small insurance claim can lead to big problems laterSep 17, 2009 11:00 pm - Homeowners who file just one or two insurance claims, no matter how small, sometimes risk a huge increase in their annual premiums or even cancellation of their policy. ...
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How to get home-improvement items on the 'cheap'Sep 10, 2009 11:00 pm - There are several ways to save money when launching a new construction or remodeling job. One of the best is to shop at the "ReStores" operated by the nation's largest n...
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Parents' equity in home may cut college aid for kidsSep 03, 2009 11:00 pm - Perhaps it's unfair, but some colleges and universities will give little or no financial aid to students whose parents have a lot of built-up equity in a home. Q. Our so...
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IRS to take close look at those claiming first-time buyers tax creditAug 27, 2009 11:00 pm - The government is willing to provide an $8,000 tax credit to most first-time home buyers, but those who want to claim the valuable tax break need to ensure that they mee...
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Sellers should be wary of Internet 'moving brokers'Aug 20, 2009 11:00 pm - Internet "moving brokers" offer to help sellers find the best deals on moving companies, but some do sloppy work, and others are outright crooks. Q. We recently sold our...