Ilona Bray

California's real estate market is unique, and most buyers don't hire a lawyer to help them through the purchase transaction (since it's not required). This friendly, easy-to-read guide offers practical and financial insights from experienced California Realtors, plus insights from attorneys (such as explanation of the purchase contract buyers will sign). A companion resource for anyone wishing to make informed decisions about choosing and affording a house, and avoiding needless disputes with the home seller.

All-in-one resource for successfully applying for U. S. citizenship. Written by an experienced attorney, this guide offers everything green card holders (lawful permanent residents) need to know in order to succesfully apply for naturalized U. S. citizenship. Includes information on whether would-be applicants meet the strict eligibility criteria (minimum time spent living in the U. S., good moral character, and knowledge of English and U. S. civics), how to prepare and submit Form N-400 and other paperwork, and how to pass the exams and interview. Special focus on dealing with difficulties and bureaucratic delays.

The book that's helped thousands of couples live in the U. S. togetherYou're engaged or married to a U. S. citizen or permanent resident, and all you want is the right to be together in the United States. Should be simple, right? It's not. The pile of application forms can be overwhelming, the bureaucracy isn't helpful, and delays are inevitable. This book will help you succeed. Discover the fastest and best application strategy. Avoid common--and serious--mistakes. Prepare for meetings with officials. Prove your marriage is real--not a fraud. Deal with the two-year testing period for new marriages. The 12th edition covers the latest, higher fees and income requirements as well as new policies under the Trump administration, and provides handy checklists and illustrative sample forms.

The 101 on earning rental income from a single-family homeDo you own a house you'd like to rent out rather than sell? It's a common scenario in today's market, especially if you've inherited a house, are moving to another home, or are buying an investment property. And the logical next step might be for you to become a first-time landlord. Follow the advice in this book to ease into your new role and earn substantial profits while avoiding costly mistakes. Learn your legal obligations. Estimate costs and profits. Choose good tenants and avoid problem ones. Make the most of valuable tax deductions. Handle repairs and property management tasks. The 7th edition is updated to cover the latest IRS limits regarding landlord tax deductions.

An info-packed guide covering both eligibility for U. S. visas and green cards and the practical requirements for obtaining them. Readers will learn how the U. S. immigration system works and whether they qualify for a green card based on family or work, a temporary visa for tourism, study, work, or a cultural exchange, or another program or remedy, such as asylum or DACA. Useful for both would-be immigrants and those who assist them.

There's no place like home Ready to say goodbye to your landlord? With help from Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home, you'll not only find the right house for you, you'll have fun doing it. Learn how to: research the local market and listingschoose a house, condo, co-op, or townhousecreate a realistic budgetqualify for a loan you can truly affordborrow a down payment from friends or familyprotect yourself with inspections and insurance, andnegotiate and close the deal successfully. You'll find insights from numerous real estate professionals--agents, attorneys, mortgage specialists, a home inspector, and more. It's like having a team of experts by your side Plus, read real-life stories of over 20 first-time homebuyers.

Jumpstart your fundraising efforts Whether your nonprofit has just gotten tax-exempt status or has been operating for years, the question you're facing is, "How do we make our voices heard and bring in the needed support?" Here, you'll find plain-English answers. Featuring advice and stories from over 50 experienced fundraisers, foundation staffers, journalists and more, this book explains how to: make a fundraising planwork with individual donorskeep givers givingplan special eventssolicit grants from foundations and corporationsuse traditional and social media to engage supportersstart a side business to raise fundsand much more. Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits also provides creative grassroots strategies and dozens of real-life success stories. Best of all, it cuts out the jargon and "consultant speak" that's all too common in nonprofit books. The 8th edition is completely updated to reflect recent fundraising trends, such as a rise in the proportion of gifts coming from wealthy donors owing to tax changes. It also suggests ways to shift from a desperation mindset to one of tapping into abundance.

Make the real estate market work for you Whether your local real estate market is strong or sluggish, you can take effective steps to reach the right buyers, pick the best offer, and ultimately get top dollar for your home. Selling Your House: Nolo's Essential Guide will take you through the process from start to finish. And, you'll learn how to do it all in the shortest possible time. Real estate expert and best-selling author Ilona Bray gives you the inside scoop on: setting a price that will attract buyersfinding the right real estate agentsafely opening your home to visitorsdetermining which repairs and upgrades pay offmaking legally required disclosures to buyersevaluating purchase offers, andnegotiating and closing escrow successfully. Provides tips from industry pros--including real estate agents, attorneys, home stagers, and more--as well as stories from home sellers.

The ultimate green card guideThe U. S. immigration system is an enormous bureaucracy, so it's vital that you understand it before attempting to apply for a green card. Making a mistake can lead to delays and hassles or even ruin your chances for success. How to Get a Green Card provides everything you need to know about qualifying for permanent U. S. residence if you don't have an employer sponsoring you. Find out how to work with U. S. officials and prepare and present the right documents at the right time to get a green card through: parents, siblings, or adult childrena U. S. spouse or fianc green card lotteries (diversity visa)political asylum or refugee statusa U visa for crime victims, oranother category you might qualify for. The 16th edition covers the latest income requirements for family-based green card applicants, additions to the list of countries whose citizens may obtain Temporary Protected Status, and more.

Everythingyou need to become a naturalized U. S. citizen Green card holders who take the next step and become U. S.citizens gain a host of benefits: the right to vote and apply for certainfederal jobs, faster immigration for family, protection against deportation ornew anti-immigration legislation, and more. But the application process itself can be long andconfusing--and at worst, create a risk of deportation. With Becoming a U. S. Citizen, you can save months, oreven years, and avoid complications. Learn how to: - make sure youare eligible for citizenship - understand therisks and rewards of applying - fill outapplication forms - study for thecitizenship exam - interviewsuccessfully, and - deal withdelays and setbacks. Becoming a U. S. Citizenalso shows you how to ask for a reduced fee or take advantage of specialexceptions if you have a disability, are in the military, or are the spouse ofa U. S. citizen.

Strategies to help you become a homeowner in California's unique real estate market Looking for a house in the Golden State? You'll find the process much easier after reading this friendly, jargon-free guide, containing insights from California realtors and attorneys. Covers everything from doing real estate market research to figuring out how much house (and mortgage) you can afford to presenting a purchase offer to handling home inspections and closing procedures. Includes in-depth guidance on avoiding financial mistakes and legal disputes, and examining the seller's required disclosures to better understand the house's physical condition and environmental hazards. If you're hoping to buy in one of California's many hot and expensive areas, you'll also find tips on competing with other bidders and making your purchase offer stand out from the rest. This bestselling book will show you how to get a house you can afford and will enjoy living in for many years.

The book that's helped thousands of couples live in the U. S. togetherYou're engaged or married to a U. S. citizen or permanent resident, and all you want is the right to be together in the United States. Should be simple, right? It's not. The pile of application forms can be overwhelming, the bureaucracy isn't helpful, and delays are inevitable. This book will help you succeed. Discover the fastest and best application strategy. Avoid common--and serious--mistakes. Prepare for meetings with officials. Prove your marriage is real--not a fraud. Deal with the two-year testing period for new marriages. The 11th edition covers the latest, higher income requirements, easing of Trump-era regulations that put more immigrants at risk of being denied visas as a likely "public charge," and a new COVID vaccine requirement. It also provides handy checklists and illustrative sample forms. Use this book if you are living in the United States or overseas and: your fianc is a U. S. citizen your spouse is a U. S. citizen, or your spouse is a U. S. permanent resident. Ilona Bray began practicing immigration law because of her concern with international human rights issues. She is the author of Becoming a U. S. Citizen and U. S. Immigration Made Easy, both published by Nolo. Check out her immigration-related postings on Nolo's blog.