Q: When homeowners in our large condominium association fall behind on their dues, our recourse has been to lien the property. Realistically, are there other avenues of recovery we could pursue? Perhaps take them to small-claims court? Or turn them over to a collection agency?

Q: My neighbor has claimed about a two-foot strip of my property and erected "no trespassing" signs along it. He says I'll be sued if I don't respect this boundary. I've had a survey done, which shows that my original boundary line is correct.

However, this neighbor has removed the new survey markers and says he'll cut down the trees in the disputed area. I showed him our state law requiring him to get a surveyor to replace the markers. He says he won't do it. What agency can I contact to enforce these laws?

Q: What questions can a condo unit owner vote on other than electing officials? Can we require the right to have a vote or say on issues?

Q: Seattle's Fair Housing Ordinance prohibits discrimination based on political ideology and activity. Does that protect tenants who put political campaign signs in their windows?

Q: For almost two years several owners in my condo complex complained about a rat problem in one area of our common space. The association tried to solve it, but I feel there was some stalling on their part. So the problem ballooned into a $7,000 repair bill.

Our bylaws say "the units that benefit from repair or replacement must bear the expense." Shouldn't the entire association -- rather than just those owners most directly affected -- be responsible because the problem wasn't solved in a timely fashion?

Q: In searching for a rental, we noticed many houses advertised online are pitching themselves with low rent if you take over the mortgage payments. Is this safe?

Q: My home's basement has had two major floods in the five years I've owned it. My real-estate agent and the inspector she recommended never disclosed the house was flood prone. I did notice 2-inch water marks on the doors just after I moved in, but I didn't think anything of them. What are my rights now?

Q: I'm in deep distress on my mortgage and need to sell. I've found buyers from my old country, but they don't have green cards. Do they need to have green cards to buy a house?

Q: My son rents a house King County. There is a faucet leaking on the outside of the house. The water has begun to seep into one of the basement bedrooms. It is saturating the carpet and the drywall resulting in the growth of mold (or mildew). Also in another basement bedroom there is a door to the outside that is not weathertight. Water runs in under the door. I believe the landlord is required to repair both problems. There are other problems that indicate that there is no interest in maintaining the property. What do you advise?