Ailing Economy's Lower Rates Provide Opportunity to Refinance

Another option would be to buy a manufactured house -- designed and built elsewhere, then trucked in and laid on a prefab constructed basement. It's a stick-built house, just built under cover somewhere else. It may cut costs -- less than $100 per square foot may be possible -- and save you a lot of time.

We bought our house in 2004. It's 30 years old, and there has always been an empty lot bordering our lot on the north.

A man from Europe bought that lot, also in 2004, but because of hurricanes, no construction began until 2007. On our side of the property line, but with a root system extending north, there was a sea grape tree, which is environmentally protected at the beach. The builder bulldozed this tree when clearing their lot.

I'm not upset with owners -- they are out of the country. I'm distressed that the tree was destroyed and that the builder had to trespass on my lot to do it.

What are my options for restitution? Do I have to sue the owners? I hold the builder responsible.

You should talk to the local building department about what happened. Show them photos and ask them if they want to act against the builder for tearing down a protected tree.

If the municipality declines to press charges, you should contact the owner and explain what happened. The owner may simply offer you a cash settlement. If not, then you can consult a lawyer and decide whether to pursue the owner or the builder in court.

I'm buying a house. The seller refuses to sign closing paperwork unless I give her $3,000 cash for her house payments. The escrow is closing. Am I being blackmailed?

Yes. Hire a lawyer to make it clear that this is unacceptable. If the seller doesn't want to listen to reason, then you and your lawyer can discuss suing the seller for specific performance, that is, selling the property for the pre-determined price.

But here's one thing to consider. If the seller needs the additional funds to close on the home and is several months behind in her mortgage, and the house is now worth less than she owes, her lender might torpedo your deal. Discuss this with your lawyer.

I live in Delaware, 10 miles from the beach. I have put my house up for sale. It is completely remodeled inside and out. I intend to go back to Florida's west coast, which is where I lived for 25 years. Would it be a mistake to buy a house in Florida before I sell here? And what are the downsides to showing an empty house as opposed to a furnished one?

Selling a vacant home is difficult, especially now, when there are more than 2 million vacant homes for sale nationally. Most of these houses are owned by investors who never lived in them and can't find anyone to rent them. It's tough competition for sellers like you.