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Closing costs of a purchase and loan are a significant expense at closing.  While the "standard form" contract allocates these expenses a certain way, generally favoring the buyer over the seller, all of these expenses are negotiable.  Real estate commissions are also...

Some "do nots" if you want to sell your house: (1) have cluttered rooms or closets, as this makes the house appear smaller; (2) have unpleasant or overwhelming cooking or pet smells; (3) "junk" in the yard; and (4) too many pictures and photos on the walls.  These are...

How long should a landlord "work with" a tenant who is behind on the rent?  There is no easy answer.  Factors to consider are the length the tenant has rented from you, previous rental payment history, and the reason why the tenant is currently behind.  Are you really...

A lease option gives the buyer the right to buy your property for a certain price within a defined period of time.  Sometimes a non-refundable lump sum option payment is paid at the time the option is granted, to be applied toward the purchase price, but retained by...

If you are selling investment real estate and anticipate a significant capital gain, consider a so-called 1031 like-kind exchange.  With this type of arrangement, you can sell your current investment real estate, purchaser other investment real estate, and not pay...

Sometimes a seller of a commercial property will "take back" a mortgage and promissory note at closing in lieu of receiving all of the purchase price.   This is especially true for more "difficult to sell" properties by not requiring the buyer to obtain conventional...

If you are buying commercial real estate, you must always do your "due diligence."  This typically includes not only a building and roof inspection, but also an environmental status report and survey.  Also, make sure the use to be made of the Property is permitted by...

My wife and I found a home we really liked on a private golf course.  Unfortunately, after we moved in, we learned that bad drives off the tee hit our home or glanced off the roof, and golfers with bad shots looked for their lost golf balls in our backyard, spoiling...

If you are a commercial or residential landlord, never undertake "self-help" remedies to remove your tenant.  These wrongful acts include changing locks, taking off doors, threatening the tenant, or stopping utility service if you are paying for it under the lease. ...

A lady bird deed or enhanced life estate deed is a way to transfer ownership of your home or other real estate to your intended beneficiaries without the expense of a trust or probate.  During your life, this special type of deed allows you to sell or mortgage your...