| Whether to Rent or Buy a Home |
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| At some point, most individuals consider the issue of renting a home versus buying a home. It is a big decision with far-reaching financial implications. As part of the decision-making process, it may be helpful to use a rent/buy calculator (easily found on the Internet). Such a calculator will not, however, provide a clear answer. A consideration of other issues is necessary. More... |
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| The Historic Homeowner -- Federal Laws of Interest |
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| On the federal level, the subject of historic preservation is governed by numerous laws, including the Antiquities Act of 1906, the Historic Sites Act of 1935, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, to name a few. More... |
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| Intestate Succession |
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| When a person dies with a will, the person is said to have died "testate." If a person dies without a will, the person is said to have died "intestate." In the case of an intestate person, the law of intestate succession governs the distribution of the person's property following the person's death. More... |
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| Contingency Clauses in Real Estate Contracts |
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| In the context of real estate transactions, buyers and sellers agree to contingencies. A contingency is a clause in a contract that allows a party to escape his or her obligations under the contract in the event that certain conditions are not met. More... |
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| Mortgage Loans with Balloon Payments |
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| A mortgage loan with a balloon payment provision is very different from a traditional mortgage loan. Usually, mortgage loans with balloon payment provisions are second mortgages as opposed to first mortgages (also known as purchase-money mortgages). More... |
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