By Benny Kass
Published: April 12,2013
I purchased vacant land (more than a half-acre) a little away from the city in a country living-style neighborhood. At the time of purchase, the lot was overgrown and mostly couldn't be accessed except in one corner where a pumping station existed. I did not obtain a survey; I just looked at the county records/maps and purchased the land.
By Benny Kass
Published: April 10,2013
DEAR BENNY: Our condo association is getting very comfortable with assessments. The last four years we’ve had a roof assessment of approximately $600 a year, and we’ve recently had snow assessments. Now the association has asked for a gas assessment to help get them by until fall, at which time they promised to pay it [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: April 5,2013
What would the legal consequences be for heirs of an estate if the owner of a time share in his will specifically left word for the executor to pass the time-share deed back to the property association or company that owns the time-share complex?
By Benny Kass
Published: April 2,2013
DEAR BENNY: What are the obligations of an escrow agent? I signed a real estate sales contract and gave the seller a $10,000 earnest money deposit. He was supposed to escrow those funds until closing. However, I decided not to buy and want my deposit back. I have just learned that he has spent the [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: March 29,2013
Tree law is evolving around the country. You can find a more exhaustive discussion in some of my articles (as well as others’) by typing "tree law" into your favorite search engine.
By Benny Kass
Published: March 27,2013
My condominium association always has trouble getting owners to serve on our board of directors. One of the board members has threatened that if people do not volunteer, we all may be charged with a monthly special assessment. Is this legal?
By Benny Kass
Published: March 22,2013
I live in a 125-unit condominium. Recently, our board of directors signed a contract for almost $1 million to upgrade our elevators. I believe that the board did not get any bids and just went with one company. Is there any law requiring more than one bid on any one job, especially one as large as this? – Henry
By Benny Kass
Published: March 19,2013
I have a question about the tax exclusion for married couples when you sell your house. Is there a time frame from when a spouse dies that you would be able to receive the $500,000 tax exclusion when you sell your house?
By Benny Kass
Published: March 15,2013
When we sold our home in Wisconsin the septic system inspector noted the "septic drain field mottling" was too close to the top of the ground. In his report, he noted the septic system was operating properly but probably would not pass inspection. The buyer wanted us to replace the field with an engineered system.
By Benny Kass
Published: March 13,2013
My husband took out a reverse mortgage in 2005. I was 58 and he was 62 at the time. I had to give him a quitclaim deed, and later I was put back on the deed. We have contacted our lender and asked if I could be put on the reverse mortgage or refinance it. They said no to both. We have tried to refinance with other companies, but were told we would have to come up with at least $30,000 to do this!
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