ArcaMax

Q: I recently came across one of your columns on using a company to sell your home on an “as is” basis. You pay no real estate commissions; you get a fast closing and easy terms. Why don’t more people use them? Does the math work out?

A: Well, every seller has the option to go to one of those companies. But, you’ll likely get a much ...Read more

Q: Your newspaper article about home smoking policies from last summer prompted me to try to get my homeowners association (HOA) to pass “no smoking” measures in my small development. The board president has asked me to do research regarding which regulatory government I need to contact to push this forward in our organization.

Where do you...Read more

Q: How do I minimize taxes for my parents? They have a rental property and own it without a mortgage. They want to sell it to me.

Here’s the problem: They want the money as a lump sum instead of monthly payments. They also don’t want to undertake a 1031 exchange for another rental property. They will likely use the money to buy a new home ...Read more

Q: A conservator has taken over my aunt’s house that I have lived in for almost 30 years. I had power of attorney for 20 years, but my name has never been on the deed to the home. The home has a $10,000 mortgage on it. If I pay the rest of the mortgage, would that give me any ownership rights to the home? I am in my aunt’s will to inherit ...Read more