7 Things Every Remodeling Contract Must Have

Q: The builder who’s doing my family room addition handed me a fill-in-the-...
Q: The builder who’s doing my family room addition handed me a fill-in-the-blanks form contract with handwritten details and numbers. It looks about as unofficial as can be. Is that a problem? What should a...

When It Comes to Muni Funds, Does Location Matter?

Q: I live in New York state and currently invest in a high-yield municipal ...
Q: I live in New York state and currently invest in a high-yield municipal bond fund. Should I switch to a tax-exempt New York muni fund? — Connie A: There are lots of considerations when...

How to Evaluate Contractor Bids

Q: I've followed your advice and gotten three bids from different contracto...
Q: I've followed your advice and gotten three bids from different contractors who want to do my project. Now what? Do I just hire the one with the best price? A: Those bids can tell...

When It Makes Sense to Refinance Your Mortgage

Q: Should I refinance my mortgage? I can drop my current rate by half a poi...
Q: Should I refinance my mortgage? I can drop my current rate by half a point. A: Mortgage rates, though still close to the 19-month low set in mid-January, have recently started inching up. The...

How to Turn Your Tax Loss Into a Gain

Q: I have a substantial amount of tax-loss carry forwards, but all of my ne...
Q: I have a substantial amount of tax-loss carry forwards, but all of my net worth is now in tax-deferred accounts, such as my 401(k). I am 68 years old and don’t expect any large...

Home Improvements That Add the Most Value

Q: I'm hoping to sell my house in the spring, and I'm told the place could ...
Q: I'm hoping to sell my house in the spring, and I'm told the place could use some freshening before I put it on the market. I don't have the budget to fix everything, so...

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