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Jewish World Review April 25, 2000 / 20 Nissan, 5760

Bruce Williams

Bruce Williams
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Get a homeowner's title policy!


http://www.jewishworldreview.com -- DEAR BRUCE: I am planning on purchasing a home in Alabama for $114,000. My lender requires a lender title insurance policy. Do I need to purchase an owner's title policy? Everyone tells me that I don't need one because if the title is clear for the lender then it should be clear for the owner. -- R.P., Eufaula, Ala.

DEAR R.P.: Why do you suppose the lender requires the title insurance? Because they know that from time to time problems arise. The fact is that it will cost relatively little to extend the title insurance to you, and it will be with you as long as you own the home. I would never, ever purchase a piece of property that I didn't have a title policy on. I hope you won't either.

DEAR BRUCE: I recently read one of your columns, which had a letter from a gentleman who wanted to get rid of his time-share because of the annual maintenance fee. I would like to move to Florida when I retire several years from now, and I am wondering if I can get a time-share down there for 10 percent to 15 percent on the dollar. Would this be a reasonable avenue to pursue? -- T.R. (e-mail)

DEAR T.R.: The problem is that you will be required to keep the annual maintenance fees up, effectively, forever. If you can use the time-share and can pick it up for 10 cents to 15 cents on the dollar, there may be some viability in the transaction.

The problem with looking at Florida from the point of view of a time-share -- or any rented condominium -- is that you see the area through a pair of rose-colored glasses. Visiting someplace on a vacation is not like living there on a permanent basis. While you can get an idea of the area, until you are into the supermarkets, the dry cleaners and all of the other things that we do on a regular basis, you will not know whether this area is for you.

I think that Florida is a wonderful place, and I am very happy that I live here, but it surely is not for everyone. The locals say thank goodness for that!

DEAR BRUCE: I have been offered an equity accelerator payment plan on my mortgage, which would allow me to pay off my mortgage in a much shorter period of time. My wife says that you think these plans are not worth using. What are your thoughts? -- J.K. (e-mail)

DEAR J.K.: What you neglected to tell me was what your interest rate is on your current mortgage. If it's 8 percent or under, I see no reason to pay off that mortgage one day early. If you have the discipline to take the extra money and methodically invest it every month, then that is the way to go.

If, however, you have the propensity for spending it on other things, then by all means save it for the mortgage company. This would be a loose form of savings.



Send your questions to JWR contributor Bruce Williams by clicking here. (Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.) Interested in buying or selling a house? Let Bruce Williams' "House Smart" be your guide. (Sales of the book help fund JWR).

Up

04/24/00: Beware of errors in your favor
04/18/00: $10,000 limit on gifts
04/17/00: Invest or repay student loans?
04/13/00: Beware of Internet auctions
04/11/00: Six percent is a pittance
04/10/00: Married couples should share windfall
04/07/00: How not to blow an inheritance
04/06/00: Get genetic screening for Tay-Sachs
04/05/00: Beating the look-back period
04/04/00: Providing for retirement
04/03/00: Readers disagree on time shares
03/30/00: The road back to good credit
03/29/00: Pre-tax dollars in IRA taxed later
03/27/00: Gambling on business ventures
03/22/00: Old cars as hobby, not investment
03/20/00: Tax on foreign gifts?
03/16/00: How to buy government bonds
03/13/00: Buying treasury instruments
03/09/00: Subcontractors must pay S.S.
03/08/00: Real-estate lawyers are essential
03/07/00: Don't expect compensation for ideas
03/06/00: Too rich for a Roth IRA?
03/01/00: Is time-sharing a scam?
02/29/00: Paying for nursing-home care
02/28/00: Rely on a real-estate lawyer
02/23/00: Keeping child's money safe from divorce
02/16/00: Just how important is a 401(k)?
02/14/00: Shaky partnership buying house
02/11/00: Protection by residential zoning
02/09/00: Benefiting from a reverse mortgage
02/07/00: Ensure your insurability
02/04/00: Absurd community zoning laws
02/02/00: Money or securities?
02/01/00: Can we KO a custodian?
01/31/00: Why sell a home you love?
01/26/00: Everyone needs a will
01/25/00: Will splitting stocks affect rollover?
01/24/00: Should early retirees contribute to SEP?
01/21/00: Strategies for paying off debt
01/20/00: Is 15-percent growth achievable?
01/19/00: Selling a second home
01/18/00: Running from a time-share
01/14/00: Don't be a spendthrift!
01/13/00: Who gets the house?
01/11/00: It all depends on size of estate
01/06/00: Check references before hiring an advisor
01/04/00: Savings bonds a bad investment
12/31/99: Out of state ain't that great
12/29/99: Warranty rip-offs
12/27/99: Checking up on investment handlers
12/23/99: Options good only when company's strong
12/20/99: Capital gains tax sometimes best
12/17/99: Don't give up your nest egg
12/15/99: Small-claims court no panacea
12/13/99: Termite company not liable for termites?
12/10/99: Services provided must be paid for
12/06/99: How do we minimize house-sale gain?
12/06/99: Maximize your tax shelter!
12/02/99: My neighbor won't maintain even a modicum of civility
12/01/99: Long-distance rentals a bad idea
11/29/99: Mortgage strategy A-OK
11/18/99: Students can work and learn
11/16/99: Value is what will sell
11/11/99: Y2K: No big deal for real estate
11/08/99: Real life is tough luck
11/03/99: The right time to cash a savings bond
11/01/99: Slow road for savings accounts
10/29/99: What do you want from insurance?
10/27/99: You have a right to see your tax forms!
10/25/99: Why own a house at 65?
10/22/99: Online fine, but CDs?
10/20/99: Love, honor -- and separate credit
10/18/99: Find the value of your stocks
10/15/99: Property lien prevents trade
10/13/99: Clear up debt, only then tie the knot
10/11/99: If it ain't broke...
10/04/99: Should I stick with the company IRA?
10/04/99: Get a financial education!
10/01/99: Insurance: Not much one person can do
09/30/99: Lost tickets are lost cash
09/29/99: Trusting only one financial planner
09/27/99: Adult children should help out
09/24/99: Tips for first-time home buyers
09/21/99: Use the rule of 72s!
09/17/99: Legal strategy can be a pain
09/15/99: Teen drivers drive up insurance
09/13/99: Always use an attorney!
09/10/99: Whose taxes are they, anyway?
09/08/99: How do I roll over my 401(k)?
09/03/99: How can I work out my IRS payments?
09/01/99: When your company can't pay you
08/30/99: Beware of shady viatical investments
08/26/99: Landlords vary on security deposits
08/25/99: Educational IRAs must be spent on education
08/23/99: Finding out the value of old stocks
08/20/99: How to get an FHA refund
08/19/99: 100 percent financing is a scam
08/16/99: Will I have to pay a capital gains tax?
08/16/99: Thinking about PMI
08/13/99: Short-term mutual funds a-OK
08/11/99: It's your job to shop around
08/10/99: Sometimes, roots need to be uprooted
08/09/99: 'Pre-approved' doesn't mean a thing
08/06/99: Only you can determine your investments
08/04/99: Bank IRA the lowest-risk option
08/03/99: Reverse mortgages good for the elderly
08/02/99: Get the survey BEFORE you buy the house!
07/28/99: Get a lawyer -- it's worth it!
07/27/99: If it ain't broke...

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