Third, we now discuss U.S. Constitution almost daily and how it might apply to current events in Washington. The Fifth Amendment, in words everyone can understand, plainly says that government cannot take your property without just compensation. And that's exactly what rent control is -- a "taking" that arbitrarily deprives landlords from receiving income they would properly earn in a free marketplace.

The good news is that more and more states are prohibiting rent control. There's more work to do, but at least we're heading in right direction.

Question Of The Week

Q We have been advised that a land contract can be used to avoid due-on-sale clause for an existing mortgage. Is this correct?

A This is a debatable issue.

Most loans today contain a "due on sale" clause which provides that a lender may call a loan under certain conditions such as an ownership change. This clause prevents loans from being assumed by borrowers unknown and not qualified by lenders.

A "land contract" is an installment sale where title is not transferred until some or all payments are made.

Some attorneys -- and certainly most lenders -- argue that a land contract can set off a due-on-sale clause because borrower has given up possession of property and right to future appreciation.

Others say that until there is a transfer of title lenders cannot accelerate loans when a property is purchased with a land contract.

There is also practical issue that if a loan has a sufficiently high interest level and payments are timely and complete, a lender may not want to call a loan even if it has right to do so.

The view here is that one should not suppose an installment sale can prevent a lender from calling a loan. Land contract rules differ by state, not all loan agreements have same terms, different conditions may apply to FHA and VA financing, and being wrong could be costly and terribly inconvenient. Before signing anything, please speak with an attorney in state where property is located.

Weekly Resource

One of best sites online for legal information is Findlaw. In addition to a variety of useful features, Findlaw offers an excellent review of anti-trust allegations facing Microsoft, including an extensive link collection.

Your bathrooms don't have to look gorgeous, either. If you're a relatively savvy mover, you've undoubtedly packed a bag of toiletries you'll immediately need upon your arrival, including soap, toilet paper, tissues, towels, shampoo and personal grooming items. Depending upon size of your family, you can certainly unpack in one bathroom initially, then hit others when you find time (or when World War III breaks out among family members).

Now, you've unloaded basics - must haves. What comes next? That's really your call. You may want to consider unpacking in room people see first when they enter your home: your living room. You're probably going to have unannounced guests, and while nobody expects your home to look like a showplace right after movers pull away, you don't want your guests to walk into a disaster area, either. Again, if you're a veteran mover, you've already considered where your living room furniture should be placed. You've sketched layout so that you're not straining your back hauling those heavy pieces from wall to wall. Plug in as many lamps as possible to create at least aura of a home. Cut yourself some slack -- art on walls and accessories on shelves can wait. For first few days, you're just striving for furniture placement and perhaps even hanging curtains, if you can remember where you packed them.

Last but not least, bedrooms. The kids' bedrooms should come first because establishing a sense of comfort is key to helping your children adjust to their new surroundings. Encourage your kids to unpack their own belongings and arrange them in their new rooms as they see fit. This gives them a sense of control over move. If you find yourself running out of time to set up bedrooms on your first day in your new house, drag out a few sleeping bags, and gather family on living room floor. It's wise to consider before your move whether or not you'll sleep on floor on your first night. Planning ahead will enable you to pack family's sleeping bags in a spot where they're accessible. Once you hit bedrooms, again, arrange your furniture according to pre-drawn sketches.

As old saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. And neither should your palace. Take your time, save your sanity, and loosen your standards of neatness and punctuality a bit.