Ziggy rocks! 

Depending on who you ask, mixing business with pleasure is sometimes called networking....and sometimes it is called a train wreck! There are definite pros and cons to using a friend for business. Read my advice column for this reader on 365gay LogoTV Online.

Question: For our loan, should we use our banker down the street? We’ve known him for years so we trust him. But should we still shop around? – Jillian in Alabama

Have any of your friendships soured over a business deal? Let me know. Gimme the gossip!

QUESTION
Hello Herman, I am totally insulted that my agent won’t show me any more homes until I get pre-approved for a loan...It’s not any of her business yet.  Shouldn’t we find our house first and then work on a loan? -Abbie

ANSWER
Abbie, simmer down! No need to be insulted. Everyone is being very cautious nowadays....

Read the rest of my no non-sense advice for MTV's site 365gay.

Tell me when & why your realtor nagged you!

Boy oh boy do I hate answering these kinds of emails! I usually like to be the bearing of good news, as everyone's favorite ball of sunshine. But alas, today I am Grumpy Guss & I gotta burst this man's bubble with bad news.  Let me know if I let him down easy! Comment on the site directly here.

On a more professional note,  I sometimes get asked about the effectivenesss of those federal and state tax credits. They  were touted as the saving grace for the struggling real estate industry.  Yet I always felt  that, as well intentioned as they were, they were merely a short term band-aid solution.  It certainly did not jumpstart the real estate market to recovery. It was a temporary device to artificially prop up the housing market.

Did they really think it was gonna be that easy to un-do all the subprime loans & predatory lending entrenched on Wall St?! Band-aids are for treating cuts and bruises.... not for  herroraging amputated limbs!

I hope you enjoyed my video response last week for LogoOnline / 365gay.com. We are alternating between video and written response.  This week will be written.

Read my latest real estate Q&A for Ask an Expert Column. 

Ari and his partner bought a house during school.  With graduation around the corner, one of them may get a job relocation and another may go to law school. What should they do with their house? Rent it? Sell it?

What is a sure fire way for a buyer to submarine their purchase? Lowball the seller's price? Submit a  3 page laundry list of repairsfor the seller? No! It's going on an Imedla Marcos shopping spree!  If you are in contract with your new house, avoid any huge purchases before you close! You might disrupt your debt-to-income ratio & blow your deal! Hold off onengagement rings, cars, big appliances until AFTER you get your keys!