Question: I'm a small-business owner, and I participate in a 401(k) plan at my office. I'd like to purchase some undeveloped land for recreation and eventually for my retirement. The land has income potential from agriculture or government programs. Is there a way to use my 401(k) to buy the land?

Question: I am a Realtor, and I listed a property in the country near Sioux Falls, S.D. Shortly after I began advertising the property, a neighbor put up a large sign that stated a hog lot was going to be built within the year on his property.  I promptly called everyone involved, including the neighbor, to find out what was going on.  The neighbor stated the hog lot may or may not happen; it was up to him.  I then checked with the local zoning office and found he could build a hog confinement but with 25 different restrictions, so it was possible but unlikely. My question is: If he does not build the hog confinement within the year, would my client and I have any legal recourse? Note: I received 22 phone calls before the sign went up and one call after.

-- Andy, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Question: I've heard about portable mortgages, and I am wondering what their pros and cons are. They seem like a very good idea, but they don't seem to have become very popular. Are they worth looking into?

-- Raul, Chicago

Question: My neighbor (actually, he owns the property but doesn't live there) has just demanded that I cut back the tree limbs that overhang his property, at my expense, because he doesn't like cleaning up the dead leaves, etc. He pointedly told me that if I don't have the trees cut back I have to hire someone to keep his yard clean, or he will start dumping his yard rakings to my side of the fence. What does the law say about such a situation?

-- James, Concord, Calif.