A landlord can only enter the rental property for certain specific reasons, such as to make repairs or alterations, or to respond to an emergency. Question: I just rented a cottage on a lot that includes fruit trees in the backyard. I was…

Filed under: Commentary, L.A. Times, LA Area, Real Estate Market, Renting, VRN | No Comments »

She was startled by what happened next. When she swiped her debit card at the grocery store, it was declined. It turned out Capital One Bank had taken $224.25 from her paycheck, a quarter of her wages for two weeks of work at a retail chain, and her bank account was overdrawn.

Filed under: Credit, Credit Cards, VRN | No Comments »

Image by Amit Gupta via Flickr DEAR BENNY: I am retired. About 18 months ago (before the economic crash), I bought a fixer-upper and renovated it, but have been unable to sell it. If I let the property go into foreclosure, can/will the bank that gave me the mortgage try to get at my other [...]

Filed under: Foreclosure, Legal Advice in Common Scenarios, Mortgage, Real Estate Market, Short Sale | No Comments »

The Basics of Making an Offer A written proposal is the foundation of a real estate transaction. Oral promises are not legally enforceable when it comes to the sale of real estate. Therefore, you need to enter into a written contract, which starts with your written proposal. This proposal not only specifies price, but also [...]

Filed under: Selling | No Comments »

Image via Wikipedia DEAR BENNY: I recently purchased a home and directly next to it is a piece of railroad property that separates it and two other properties. All properties have access to the streets. The railroad took the land by eminent domain many years ago, and the prior owners are now long gone. When [...]

Filed under: Current Events, Legal Advice in Common Scenarios | No Comments »

Image via Wikipedia DEAR BENNY: My husband and I own a rental property that is paid off. We have been talking about separating, and my husband has said that I can keep the house. How can I get his name off the house and put my name on, or should we just sell it? I [...]

Filed under: Divorce, Legal Advice in Common Scenarios | No Comments »

DEAR BENNY: My parents’ house is paid off. The house is in my father’s name only; my mother has his power of attorney (and I have hers). My father is in a nursing home, recovering from a stroke, but we do not foresee him coming home (he’s 86); he’s wheelchair bound, and conversant, though with [...]

Filed under: Legal Advice in Common Scenarios, Selling, Tax Issues | No Comments »

DEAR BENNY: I have just found out that my neighbor’s septic tank leach line and leach pit is on my property. I was going to buy the property when it was recently up for sale, but I was not given the chance. I did file a lawsuit against the seller. The contract purchaser has not [...]

Filed under: Legal Advice in Common Scenarios | No Comments »