Question: I'm renting a home from my father because I have bad credit. How do I protect myself from losing my home if he passes away? Are there any loans programs for me, someone with a 520 credit score?

Answer: Your father could elect to leave the house to you as part of his estate. Both you and your Dad need to have wills and living wills.

As to your credit standing, 520 is below the level many lenders will consider. Any financing available to you will be at a ridiculously-steep rate.

Your best strategy is to start a budget and to make a point of paying bills on time and in full. Over a period of 12 to 24 months you should be able to substantially improve your credit standing.

Question: My friend is currently renting an apartment in a three-family house. All the apartments have individual house numbers, but the landlord won't let her get a separate mailbox. All three tenants must share one mailbox. My friend offered to buy and put up her own mailbox, but the landlord said he would take it down if she did. Can my friend get a personal mailbox?

Answer: Is there another issue here besides the mailbox? For instance, is the property zoned for three units?

If your friend makes an issue of this it could result in bad relations with the owner -- not a good idea since everyone is under the same roof. But if a separate mailbox is hugely important, your friend could ask for guidance from the nearest postmaster.

Question: We own a home that cost $170,000 six years ago. It's worth $400,000 today. We're considering selling our home and buying a new home for around $470,000. I'm worried that when it comes time to sell that home it will be at a loss because the prices are so high right now. Many people were able to buy these over-priced homes because interest rates where so low. Will they ever be able to sell their homes and make a profit?

Answer: No one knows what the future will bring. You need to look at the community where the new property is located and consider its future. Is the population growing? Is the job base expanding? Does zoning restrict housing options?

As to today's "high" prices, it's good to consider that they are high relative to prices seen in most places in the past. Long ago, for example, a mansion could be priced at $100,000. Today, that price won't buy anything in some communities.

Part of the reason for higher prices is that we measure the value of homes in terms of cash. The buying power of cash is reduced by inflation so that prices appear to rise. If values rise more than inflation then real wealth is created. But if values rise only at the rate of inflation, then buying power remains stable.