Q. My wife and I are selling our home and relocating to another area. Can we roll the money over into the next house without paying capital gains?

A. Get a load of this: I checked with tax expert Robert Hoberman of Hoberman, Miller, Goldstein & Lesser, P.C. in New York City. He advised that if you own the home jointly and you’ve lived there for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $500,000 of your gain when you sell (for singles, the exclusion is $250,000) and you don’t have to roll the money into another house to enjoy the tax benefit.

Q. I own a brownstone in Central Harlem that I’m trying to hold on to until I retire next year. Now I’m worried I missed my opportunity to sell it and get a good price because the housing market is slowing down. My house is in good condition, with all original woodwork. Can I still sell in the million-dollar range?

A. Right now, a 17-foot wide brownstone in good condition with a certificate of occupancy can easily sell for a million dollars or more.

But Harlem hasn’t peaked yet, so if you could afford to hold, it’s a very good idea. You’ll get a lot more money a few years down the road, once Harlem’s latest renaissance is complete.

If you can’t afford to hold, sell it to me! I own two brownstones there and I’d love to get my hands on another.

Q. I’m 23 years old with very good credit, and I’m looking to purchase a condo. I found a decent condo in Brooklyn, but I hear different things from people about buying a studio. It’s also in a rebuilding area. Do you think it’s a smart investment?

A. Ignore what people say. The people who love you most always tell you not to do something because they don’t want to see you get hurt.

Studios in the city are always in demand because there’s always someone young like yourself, just starting out, who needs one.

Later, should you decide to move up to a larger apartment, you can easily rent or sell the studio.

There are some up-and-coming Brooklyn areas (but yet to arrive) that will prove to be a good investment in the long run. And you’ll get the satisfaction of watching the neighborhood change because you were smart enough to buy early.

Q. I’d love to buy something in the Hamptons. Is there anywhere I can find a real bargain?

A. If you’re looking for a bargain in the Hamptons, I could more easily sell you the Brooklyn Bridge. The average Hampton house now costs close to a million bucks.

But take a look at Noyack, Springs and Hampton Bays, where there are lots of half-acre properties that have been listed for months. Aim for the overpriced homes that have been sitting on the market for more than six months. Don’t be shy about putting in a low bid of about 15% lower than fair market value...The year is at its end and they have little hope of unloading their property before the spring market begins.