Mecklenburg Times: News for Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties Real Estate, Development, Construction, and Community News in the Charlotte area and throughout Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties

DEAR BENNY: Can we deduct the loss of our home? We are selling it, and fortunately we are no longer underwater with the mortgage but will take a significant loss. – Eroll DEAR EROLL: When you sell your principal house, ...

Tagged with: Benny Kass

DEAR BENNY: I am on the board of a mid-sized condominium association. At a recent board meeting where our attorney was in attendance, I asked her a question about a problem I was having with management. She said that she ...

DEAR BENNY: My boyfriend and I have been living together for several years. We have decided to buy a house, and then in about a year, get married. Although we love each other, I have friends in similar situations who ...

DEAR BENNY: What is your opinion about a reverse mortgage? We are in our late 60s, have a small savings and an acceptable pension. Our home is free and clear and is worth approximately $400,000. We have seen some famous ...

Tagged with: Benny Kass

DEAR BENNY: I am a real estate agent and my client is underwater with his mortgage. I was asked to assist with a short sale. My client asked me about the tax consequences and I do not know the answer. ...

Tagged with: Benny Kass

RESPONSE FROM A READER: Responding to an apartment renter’s infiltrating cigarette smoke problem in your recent column, the guy can reduce or eliminate the problem by installing a small window fan to blow outside air into his own apartment. Sealing ...

Tagged with: Benny Kass

DEAR BENNY: I just read an article you wrote about how disclosing home defects is the best way to avoid a lawsuit. I wanted to ask you few questions because we sold a home about two years ago and the ...

Tagged with: Kass

DEAR BENNY: I am a homeowner living in a single-family subdivision with a homeowners association. At a recent homeowners meeting, I got into a disagreement with a board member over an approval issue.  When I questioned the board member’s integrity ...

Tagged with: Kass

DEAR BENNY: I live in an active-adult community consisting of 113 townhome units and about 230 ranch houses. The master association governs all the common areas including the clubhouse, pool, etc. All homeowners pay monthly into that association. There is ...

Tagged with: Benny Kass

DEAR BENNY:  My mother is in her mid-80s and would like to sell her home to me, based upon me moving into the house with her to take care of her. My mother’s house is valued at $900,000 and I ...

Tagged with: Kass