| It's time for digital decluttering and unloading 'stuff' and Alain Pinel moves to Intero |
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It started in 2010 when my water heater blew up and flooded the basement. That is when I first started to realize that I have way too much stuff, and that is slowing me down. I spent hours cleaning and getting rid of stuff.When I hear my young first-time homebuyers, who wonder how they will fill all the rooms in a large house, I tell them about how we all start out with a little but end up with piles of stuff -- and how it tends to expand to fill up the space we have.All rights reserved. This article may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this article without permission is a violation of federalcopyright law.It started in 2010 when my water heater blew up and flooded the basement. That is when I first started to realize that I have way too much stuff, and that is slowing me down. I spent hours cleaning and getting rid of stuff. [Read the full article] Q: My tenant has asked that I repair the dishwasher as soon as possible, and I've agreed to do so. But she is insisting on 48 hours' notice of the repairperson's entry. The repair shop says they can "work me in," but that may mean that they'll call at the last minute. Do I have to follow the 48 hours' notice rule? --Ella T.A: I think you're dealing with a rather unreasonable tenant. Someone who wants an immediate response to a non-emergency problem should be willing to forgo the normal notice period that would apply to normal repairs.While many states do protect tenants with notice laws, all states make it possible for tenants to give consent to entry for certain purposes with less or no notice. It's simply a matter of compromise: If you expect an immediate response to a non-emergency situation, you have to be willing to bend a little when it comes to notice.But apparently your tenant isn't alone when it comes to unreasonable demands. [Read the full article] CORRECTION: The original version of this article contained an error, and the article has been updated with a correction. The Internal Revenue Service reports, in Publication 530, "You cannot deduct transfer taxes and charges on the sale of a personal home."Q: We bought a house this year! We put $33,000 down and the bank financed $28,000. Can I write this off on my 2011 taxes? How much of it?A: First things first: Congratulations! You've become a homeowner, and seem to have done so using an enviable financial arrangement. But now that you own a home, you might need to shift the way you think and look at some things, including your taxes and other financial matters.Owning a home is one of those landmarks that signify financial adulthood. And one of the things that responsible financial adults do is get professional help when the situation requires it. [Read the full article] 
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