Home $$$ and Sense

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Landlords can recoup damages, but finding the right tenant first is key

Home $$$ and Sense
March 5, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,Our handyman, Al, has a rental in Sacramento. His last tenant left the place filthy and damaged.

Home inspection reports aren’t ‘honey-do’ lists

Home $$$ and Sense
February 26, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,I am under contract to purchase a mobile home. I had a termite report and a home inspection.

Tenant can make or break a home sale

Home $$$ and Sense
February 12, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,I own a rental that I really need to sell. I want the tenant to cooperate with my agent so that my property can be easily sold.

Loan modifications to be easier soon

Home $$$ and Sense
February 5, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,I applied for a loan modification with Bank of America.

There’s several ways to pay off your mortgage early

Home $$$ and Sense
January 28, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,I just refinanced with Wells Fargo. They said that if I made bi-weekly payments I would pay a lot less interest over the term of my loan.

It’s best to get multiple agent opinions before listing

Home $$$ and Sense
January 22, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,

Keep tenants happy and you’ll reduce vacancies

Home $$$ and Sense
January 15, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,

Readers offer many questions about the use of short sales

Home $$$ and Sense
January 8, 2010
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,I owe $300,000 on my house. Based on what my neighbor’s house just sold for, I think that my house is worth $225,000.

Buyers and owners find their own holiday blessings

Home $$$ and Sense
December 31, 2009
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,The bank just accepted an offer that my son and daughter-in-law submitted.

Now can be a good time for a fixer-upper investment

Home $$$ and Sense
December 31, 2009
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,

Don’t fret, homebuyer tax credits are still out there

Home $$$ and Sense
December 18, 2009
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,My son is a first-time buyer. He has been looking for a home for more than a year. He has made several offers only to be beat out by investors with cash.

Will ditch water make house tough to sell?

Home $$$ and Sense
December 11, 2009
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,My home is located in north Auburn and is on Bowman Ditch water.

Use a little holiday charm when selling in winter

Home $$$ and Sense
December 4, 2009
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,After six months of painting, repairing, landscaping and clearing out more than 20 years of clutter, we are finally ready to sell our house.

Be thankful for the important things

Home $$$ and Sense
November 25, 2009
By Sue Thompson

I asked a long-time friend and local builder how his business was doing the other day. He said that it sucked, but everything else was great.

Even in today’s market, there’s options for retirees

Home $$$ and Sense
November 20, 2009
By Sue Thompson

Dear Sue,My husband and I are in our 70s. We know that we will be in our 80s at the blink of an eye.