Edith Lank
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Gift from parents not without consequencesJul 22, 2017 6:00 am - Q. My aged parents are about to put their house in my name. What are the tax implications for me, other than annual property taxes? Is this considered a gift that I have...
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Readers voice strong consensus on fence vs. hedgeJul 15, 2017 6:00 am - A few weeks ago, a reader wrote in to ask about whether to replace a long-standing hedge around his corner property with a picket fence for the cost of about $5,000. He ...
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How to get your start in real estateJul 08, 2017 6:00 am - Q. Is it possible to start a real estate career part time? I have a good office job, but meeting the bills would be much easier with more income, and I do like houses. A...
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When buying a house, know tax burden may changeJun 30, 2017 6:00 am - Q. If we buy a house, can we expect to pay the same property taxes as the person we buy it from? A. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. In some locations, the tax assessment is...
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Pay mortgage interest here, deducting mortgage interest thereJun 10, 2017 6:00 am - Q. A reader recently asked you about the value of having a mortgage so she could deduct the interest. I was disappointed that you didn't point out the folly of paying a ...
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Is buying a home at 70 a wild idea?Jun 03, 2017 6:00 am - Q. What do you think of an older person buying a house or a condo? I'll be 70 this year. I am single, and I have excellent credit. I've been looking for an apartment, an...
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Four inches of land may cause a mile of troubleMay 06, 2017 6:00 am - Q. Several years ago, my neighbor had a survey done before she put up a partial fence on her land. She had her son dig a trench adjacent to a cedar fence I had installed...
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Neighbor worries about LLC moving next doorApr 29, 2017 6:00 am - Q. I have a question about limited liability companies, or LLC properties. My neighbor moved out, and I saw a "sold" sign on his house. He happened to stop by this past ...
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Think carefully about holding out for 'right' buyerApr 22, 2017 6:00 am - Q. I was a newspaper copy editor for nearly 20 years, and I faithfully edited your column for my paper. But even after all those years of reading your column each week, ...
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Owners must decide whether they want to prepay mortgageApr 15, 2017 6:00 am - Q. My husband and I are debating whether or not we should pay more toward our principal. We currently have an adjustable-rate, 10-year loan (it'll be eight more years be...