Chris Clark

3 days ago | aol.com | Chris Clark

We all want a comfortable retirement, which is why we spend so much time thinking about our savings and investments — we all know that the size of our nest egg is the most important determinant of the quality of our life in the golden years. But as the big moment approaches, and the bulk of your saving has already happened, there are measures you can still take around the margins to make sure you're heading into life-after-work in the best possible position.

5 days ago | aol.com | Chris Clark

For Massachusetts homeowners worried about hidden problems lurking in their property, a new state law is about to offer significant peace of mind — or at least that’s the intent. The law, taking effect this June, is part of the state's comprehensive Affordable Homes Act designed to address the state’s housing affordability challenges. It aims to empower homebuyers by providing greater transparency about potential structural problems of a prospective home.

5 days ago | moneywise.com | Chris Clark

Cracks in the foundation: Why real estate pros worry Would-be homebuyers like Tina Shukar — who has been trying and failing for years to buy her first home — are cheering the law. “The problem is that I am competing against companies that do home flips,” she says, “and they use cash to buy properties and skip inspections and all that.” Despite the law's intentions, real estate professionals in the area aren’t happy.

1 week ago | aol.com | Chris Clark

When Michael Flores paid $20,000 to remove asbestos from his attic, he didn’t expect to find the toxic material still there — or to learn that the crew had never obtained a license in the first place. Flores had bought the 100-year-old Ottawa, Illinois, home with plans to turn it into a vacation rental near Starved Rock State Park. Knowing the attic was filled with vermiculite insulation — a material often containing asbestos — he hired a local crew to remove it safely.

1 week ago | aol.com | Chris Clark

When you buy a used car through Facebook Marketplace, you're usually hoping to snag a good deal on a replacement ride. But what happens when that “deal” turns into a money pit? Let’s consider the case of a 35-year-old woman who, needing a budget-friendly vehicle to get to a new job, buys a used sedan from a Facebook Marketplace seller. It looks solid, seems to drive fine and the price is right. But within months, she’s spent thousands on repairs — and now the transmission has completely failed.