Keeping the House Makes for a Messy Divorce

Keeping the house makes for a messy divorce

It’s not just a matter of who keeps the home. Loans, liens and other financial issues can preclude a clean split.

“If you’re still linked through the house, then you’re not really divorced,” says Kelly Lise Murray, a Harvard-trained lawyer and Nashville real estate agent.

People tend to underestimate the true cost of homeownership, drastically overstating the remaining spouse’s ability to afford the place, Murray says.

Even in a friendly divorce, certain key expenses are overlooked. Lawn care, homeowners association fees, even the basic costs of maintenance are among the costs that are rarely considered, either by the courts or the splitting spouses.

And then there’s the even bigger issue of hidden debt. Ideally, there will have been no secrets between the husband and wife. But money is a major cause of divorce, and in many cases, one spouse has no clue that the other has run up big bills that have become undisclosed liens against the property.

“I see it a lot,” says Murray, whose goal is to reform divorce law as it pertains to real estate, one state at a time. “It’s frequent. And what you don’t know during your divorce can hurt you long after the marriage is over.”

Fortunately, a major real estate mistake is preventable — but only during your divorce, not afterward. So Murray recommends doing due diligence and gathering information from more financial and real estate experts early in the divorce process. That way, you can make a more informed decision about whether you really want to keep the place or not.

In most divorces, the spouses determine what the house is worth, and the one who gives up the place is usually given a credit of some sort for his or her half of the equity the couple have in the place. Typically, the parties split the equity based on an appraisal. So if an appraiser says the house is worth, say, 0,000 and they owe 0,000, the “out spouse” gives up his or her claim to a ,000 equity stake for, perhaps, ,000 in stocks and bonds.

But along with that appraisal, Murray says, the “house spouse” should obtain an independent, third-party inspection of the property to determine whether there are any latent defects that could change its value.

“You wouldn’t buy a house without an inspection, so why would you accept one in a divorce without an inspection?” Murray asks. “What if something’s wrong or about to go wrong? You can use the inspector’s report as a punch list and either use the marital assets to make the necessary repairs or reduce the value of the property accordingly.”

Make sure to ask your inspector to estimate the remaining life of the property’s major appliances and systems. If something is on its last legs, you’ll want to know in advance so you can adjust for that as well. And while you’re at it, order a termite inspection — the damage those little bugs cause is often significant.

The real estate divorce specialist, whose self-published book “Divorce This House: When Keeping Your House Equals Losing Your Divorce” will be out this month, wants spouses to have two title searches, one as soon as possible after the divorce process begins and the other shortly before the divorce is finalized.

The first will uncover any unknown liens, encumbrances or clouds on the title that may have been placed by one spouse without the other’s knowledge. The second will uncover anything placed on the title during the proceedings, such as a lien filed by the out spouse’s attorney to cover his fees.

The more people follow these guidelines, divorce realty specialist Murray believes, the more likely they will end up selling the home and moving on. Disposing of the house during the divorce is far less risky than afterward, she says, and helps protect each spouse from the other’s financial problems.

“It’s the only way to be truly divorced,” she says. “Your spouse’s post-divorce debts become your debts if his name is still on the title. If the creditor files a lien, you will be unable to sell or refinance until the debt is paid.”

Don’t be fooled, either, into thinking that signing a quitclaim deed will get you out of harm’s way. A quitclaim will get your spouse off the title but not off the mortgage.

To truly divorce your house, Murray says there are only two ways to go: Sell the place or refinance it. “Financial exposure is extinguished when the house is sold or individually refinanced pursuant to divorce,” she says. “Otherwise, either spouse or both remain legally and financially at risk, often for years after they split.”

All of these issues and others are preventable during the divorce, but they’re not easily fixed afterward.

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Global Warming Makes Allergies Worse

Global warming…I’m sure there are people out there who don’t want to hear one more thing about it!  Right?  Global warming is such a hot topic right now for politicians, environmentalists, and… allergy sufferers? That’s right. As the planet heats up, so does our battle against allergies and asthma. In fact, many scientists now acknowledge the link between global warming and breathing problems.

What does global warming have to do with allergies? As the planet heats up, winter seasons become shorter. That means longer stretches of warm weather – and allergies. Springtime has been arriving earlier, leading to months of misery for those with airborne allergies. How much earlier? 10-15 days earlier in the past three decades alone. And this trend is not expected to stop anytime soon. Thanks to the lengthening seasons, allergies aren’t just lasting longer; they’re becoming more severe as well. The problem is so serious that experts have been scrambling to create new policies and solutions. Even the World Health Organization has commented on the serious health implications of longer pollen seasons.

There is more carbon dioxide in the air during allergy season. This is detrimental to allergy sufferers because plants and weeds thrive when they’re exposed to more carbon dioxide. One sign of a strong plant is the amount of pollen it produces. And with pollen levels on the rise, people with allergies are noticing an increase in their symptoms.

If you’re a city dweller, you could have an even harder time. Cities act like giant greenhouses for weeds. The press of bodies and buildings trap heat, causing weeds to grow larger and release more pollen. The large number of people releasing carbon dioxide into city air also stimulates weed growth. Research has shown that city weeds can grow twice as large as their country cousins. To make matters worse, they also produce stronger pollen that wreaks havoc on allergies.

Global Warming Brings More Allergens

With longer occurrences of warm, wet weather – not to mention the increase in floods and storms – the air contains more mold and fungi than ever. This is bad news for allergy sufferers, since those are some of the most common allergens. Asthma is on the rise, too, especially among young children who live in the city.

Even in the dry seasons, dust, toxins and smog lurk in the air, making it harder to breathe. But global warming is such a big problem -what can allergy sufferers do to make living – and breathing – a bit easier?

Fortunately, there are plenty of options that don’t involve drug therapy (which can have unwanted side effects).

First, take care of your airways. Give yourself good air to breathe by investing in a HEPA filter. Clean all the air filters in your home. And don’t neglect your car’s air filter if you spend a substantial amount of time behind the wheel. Keep track of air quality alerts in your area; on days when allergens are high, stay indoors as much as possible and keep the windows closed. On hot days, carry out most of your physical activities in the morning before allergens have a chance to flourish in the midday heat.

Consume foods that help your airways function properly.  This includes things rich in essential fatty acids, such as fish, seeds, and nuts.  You can also take a good fish oil supplement.

Make your home as allergy free as possible.  Carpets attract and trap dust, mites, and other allergens. Consider switching to hardwood flooring to improve your allergy symptoms. Regular cleaning of curtains, rugs and linens also helps to keep allergies at bay. And don’t forget about the health benefits of hypoallergenic trees and plants! Not only will they improve the air quality around your home, they’ll add beauty, too.

Not sure what you’re allergic to?  Take a test!  Check out: http://www.foodintolerancenews.com

Every one says metal makes people angry and makes termites chew faster, but out of curiosity, WHY?? Is it the tempo, volume or something else? Does it stimulate hunger in termites?

When you have a pest problem there are several things that go through your mind…who you should call becomes the sum of all your concerns. But how do you narrow down all the possibilities? What kind of questions should you ask to find the right company that fits your lifestyle? You’ll want a company that has taken all of your valid concerns to heart. Here are some suggestions that can help you decide what’s right for you and your family.

Who’s going to be reliable? The Atlanta pest control you end up calling should cater to your schedule and perform their services with integrity and quality. There are companies in your Atlanta area that have an anti “no-show” policy. This means if they don’t show up in the scheduled time frame without calling prior to reschedule then the next regular service is given free of charge. They should also be confident enough in their own product and training that with effective foundation and yard treatments interior treatments are unnecessary therefore free on an unlimited basis in the event one is needed, customized to fit your home’s specific needs.

What kind of chemicals are going to be used in and around your home? There are over-the-counter treatments aplenty for pest control, but they also come with a warning label and possible dangers. They are made with harsh chemicals that can actually cause illness to your children or pets – and in some severe cases pets have even been killed. Not to mention the damage they do to the environment. Choosing an Atlanta pest control business by its choice of chemicals is a vital determining factor. Make sure the Atlanta pest control company you select uses only the finest, cleanest, and most effective products in the world to solve your pest problems. Something that doesn’t come with a warning label so you can rest easy about your children and pets.

How much is it going to cost? No matter how little or how much treatments cost, the Atlanta pest control business you decide on should offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Their charge should not include retreatments when new pests somehow manage to move in through the treated barrier made around your home immediately after a regular treatment. If the pests come back, so should they – free of charge and no matter how many times it takes to solve your pest problem.

How soon can they be there? The Atlanta pest control business you choose should work around your schedule. Nobody wants to have to use up vacation time to meet with the bug guy. And nobody wants to have to wait a week for the bug guy to make it over. A good pest control business should be able to make it to your house that same day or no later than the next.

Are they educated in the types of pests indigenous to your area and where they hide? Make sure that the Atlanta pest control service you decide on hiring knows what they’re up against. No matter who you hire, their chosen techniques will have minimal impact on your pest problem if they don’t know how and where to treat. They should stay up to date on native as well as imported pests, such as the Fire Ant that has been such a serious problem.

Overall, make sure the Atlanta pest control business you select has already taken to heart and prepared for all of your concerns. Knowing that they have genuine consideration for their customers sets the foundation for a respected company/client relationship

Your home is your castle, or so it has been said. It may not be as grandiose as a castle, but it is probably your greatest financial asset and a sanctuary for you and your family. Uninvited pests lurking in hidden corners, however, have marred this idyllic picture. First it was the bugs in a bag of flour that had been forgotten on the top shelf of the pantry. Next, you find yourself keeping an extra shoe close at hand to smash the house crickets and roaches. And now, the scorpions that lived in the backyard have moved in and taken up residence in the guest room.

Having the right tool for the right job is essential. A big part of your job is the protection of your family and your home; and for the problem of bugs and spiders, the right tool is a reliable Phoenix pest control company. Call in professionals to help, it makes good sense.

- In your battle against the enemy, you have probably tried all the ant baits and roach traps sold at the local convenience store, and the problem of scorpions has you scratching your head. Get the solutions you need with a Phoenix pest control company: effective methods to eradicate spiders and ants; treatments that form a barrier around your house to keep scorpions out; and an inspection to let you know if your home has termite damage.

- Picture your yard with fewer bugs and insects. Now picture the logical result: fewer pests inside your house. You will notice that your home will be cleaner without the unwanted bug skins and droppings left behind and you won’t have shoes with dead bugs squished on the soles.

- Living in the Southwest, you know that scorpions can be venomous. You might unknowingly be putting your family at risk because some bugs and rodents carry disease and bacteria. A Phoenix pest control company will use safe and effective technologies to eliminate pests that could be subjecting your family to E. coli, allergens or salmonella.

- Protecting your investment and ensuring its continued growth in value is an important aspect of home ownership. Rodents and termites can cause great damage to wood, plaster, and wire, often before you even realize they’re in the house. A professional pest control technician is trained to search for hidden enemies and, if found, employ the best methods to eradicate the problem.

When pests are attacking the castle and you’ve done all you can on your own, it’s time to call in the professionals. Your family will notice and enjoy the proven results listed above. It just makes good sense to call a qualified Phoenix pest control company!