Q: I've heard that many older condo complexes need multimillion-dollar maintenance and repairs. In the past, the owners' rapidly increasing equity fueled their ability to get construction loans. Now that the real-estate market has turned, what's the availability like for these loans?

Q: What recourse do condo owners have to require their board to follow the requirements of the declaration?

However our board has cut reserve fund contributions by more than 75 percent in the last five years, preferring instead that we pay for things with special assessments. We have one now in the works for $300,000.

Q: I recently received a fine "warning" from my condo management company. It was because a neighbor complained about the smoke coming from a charcoal barbecue on my patio. However in the HOA House Rules, is states "Barbecues on balconies and patios are allowed under these conditions: Charcoal barbecues must have an enclosed ash catcher. Gas barbecues must have a shelf underneath to catch drippings or the homeowner is required to use a metal drip pan to protect deck surface from any damage." Since I do have an ash catcher, I am not breaking any rules. Do they really have any right to fine or send me a warning letter since I am not violating the House Rules?

Q: A nice Eastside home near mine was torn down, presumably to be replaced by a fancy house. I find it immensely sad to see the destruction of perfectly good resources. When I sell my home, can I require that the buyer not tear it down for at least 10 years?

Q: I requested a walk-through of the rental house I just vacated, but the landlord says he doesn't want me present. He says he's going to have his cleaning crew give him a report on the house's condition. Do I have the right to a walk-through?

Q: I'm a disabled senior and have a handicapped-parking permit for my car, which I parked in the handicapped spot next to my Kent condominium. Recently the homeowners board voted to turn our three handicapped spots into visitor parking instead. I've complained, but haven't gotten anywhere. Isn't this discriminatory?

Q: Our house, in a Kitsap County neighborhood, is governed by a homeowners association (HOA), which requires owners to get its architectural committee's approval for any construction affecting a home's exterior. This committee has denied our request to replace our front door with one containing a window -- even though there's no conformity of door styles in our neighborhood. Are we stuck with this ruling?

Q: An 80-year-old relative, who's not always lucid, has said in the past that his will leaves a valuable piece of property to a granddaughter. The granddaughter wants this relative's son (the will's eventual executor) to give her the property now. She says the son has the power to do this because his dad isn't always competent and she's going to get it anyway. Is this true?