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Practical and legal guidance on association issues
Countless legal issues arise during the daily workings of a community association, but professional expertise is expensive. At a recent...
Condo conversion law provides added protection
Given that it happened on the same day of Mayor Richard Daley's last City Council meeting, the passage of a condominium conversion ordinance...
Book delves into Madoff's 'magic,' malevolent moves
So what's it like to look into the face of evil? That's the question everyone is asking Diana B. Henriques, a New York Times financial...
Stand up for American elms: Join hunt for disease-resistant trees
Many of the nation's elm trees were done in by Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease introduced into this country in 1931. Their stately...
'Yard Attack' host starts with a plan — and so should you
Steve Watson's new television series doesn't need a don't-try-this-at-home disclaimer. No homeowner would try to duplicate what Watson and...
At Optima, nature is right outside their door
When their daughter came along, Alexander and Juana Marin decided to trade urban living for life in the woods — Optima Old Orchard...
Some retirement communities offer affordable bargains
When Freida and Warren Schriner were considering a move to a retirement community, they worried the costs would overwhelm their pension...
Above and beyond the home inspection
Mice, mold and leaking bathtubs are among the last discoveries homebuyers want to make after moving into a new home. But that's exactly what...
Buyer finds pitfalls in seller's financing arrangement
Q. I purchased a condo in January 2009 and was able to get a second mortgage through the sellers to help me purchase. Dealing with the...
Vacation home's $300 smoking fine crosses the line
Q. We recently rented a vacation house that had a "no smoking" policy. We honored it, but during an evening when we were away, our adult...
Market climate warms for house hunters
Traditionally, spring is when prospective homebuyers come out of hibernation and begin the hunt for their next residence. But with the...
Berwyn eyes giving bungalows a boost
The quintessential historic Chicago bungalow is alive and well and, as a group of Berwyn homeowners plan to remind people, not just in...
Habitat seeking buyers for homes in Carpentersville, Elgin
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley will host an informational session from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Elgin Evangelical Free...
FICO's radar picking up potential walkaways
Your mortgage payments are up to date, and you pay your bills on time. Your credit score is above average.
Resident wants to install charging station for electric car
Q. The slow and steady advance of electric vehicles has reached our vintage lakefront condominium property. An owner advised the board of...
Pay state fee to get loan off records
Q. I own a manufactured home and recently paid off my chattel loan. However, to clear the lien, our secretary of state requires that I pay...
Condo association refuses request for handicap parking spot
Q. I live in a condominium community and have two assigned parking places. I have an illness that interferes with my ability to walk and, as...
FHA and Fannie Mae offer loans for home energy improvements
If you've been looking for a way to pay for energy improvements to your house, two little-publicized new mortgage programs could provide the...
Contractor's strategy tries to build ceiling for liability
Q. I have a single-family house that I use as a rental. I'm about to do some major renovation work and was given a contract by the...
What to consider before choosing a home inspector
Home inspections are not intended to point out every small defect, though they can highlight the good points of a house, be sources of...