By Jim Woodard
Published: February 20,2012
When candidates for public office support the elimination of modification of certain homeownership benefits as a cost-cutting means, that action could cost them the election.
By Benny Kass
Published: February 20,2012
DEAR BENNY: My wife and I closed on a short-sale house in Florida back in 2010. We paid “in full” the homeowners and flood insurance even before we took title to the property. Once we became the owner of the property, confusion started when the insurance agent apparently – and incorrectly – advised the lender that [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: February 20,2012
Dear Mr. Berko: My wallet was stolen a year ago, and most folks have no idea what a job it has been to get my life back in order. The credit agencies have me listed as a bum, even though I pay all my real bills, and I still get calls from vendors who accepted my [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: February 17,2012
DEAR BENNY: We are getting ready to close on a home and there is a settlement fee of $685 for lender’s title insurance and $683 for owner’s title insurance. Must we pay both fees? – Phyllis DEAR PHYLLIS: This is a question that has plagued homeowners for many years: “Why do I need to purchase owner’s title [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: February 17,2012
Dear Mr. Berko: What stock exchange firm do you work for? Is it true that you accumulate a big holding of a stock for all of your clients and then write good things about that stock in your newspaper column so that millions of investors will read about the stock? And when all these people who read [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: February 13,2012
DEAR BENNY: I am 74 years old. Recently, I have been contemplating paying off my condo mortgage. The remainder is $98,000 at 6 percent. Can you help me through this? On the surface it seems like a good idea, but I’m not aware of all the particulars. I am in good health and will not need the $98,000 [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: February 13,2012
Dear Mr. Berko: My only stock market investment is $207,000 in several Fidelity mutual funds, which are in my company retirement plan. I’m 56 and single. I earn a decent living and have almost zero debt. Both of my children are living away from home. A broker who has become a friend is so excited and bullish [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: February 9,2012
DEAR BENNY: Regarding whether to give houses to heirs as gifts or let heirs inherit them, you have expressed your preference numerous times. In general, I agree with you to let heirs inherit houses so that they get a stepped-up cost basis and, hence, won’t pay capital gains tax. However, for those who have large estates [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: February 7,2012
DEAR BENNY: Due to the death of my former husband, I find myself owning a rental cottage with my two children. Due to the tough real estate market, and also family sentiment, the kids — ages 20 and 24 — and I want to hold on to it as a rental property at least for a [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: February 7,2012
Dear Mr. Berko: The big New York money center bank stocks look like they may be selling at attractive prices. I have about $43,000 in my brokerage money market account that my broker thinks I should invest in Citigroup, Bank of New York, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. I would like to have [...]
Sign up today to receive The Mecklenburg Times’ free E-Alerts and be the first to read breaking news.
Sign up or manage your alert.
