You've found your dream condo, and you're ready to relax among the mango trees and swaying date palms. Hold everything. To keep from getting stuck with a lemon, you've got to do some homework. Here are the seven most important questions you need to ask before buying a condo.

Co-ops and condos can be a good option for first-time homebuyers. They are also attractive alternatives for people who own a house but want to downsize because they don't need the space anymore. But while co-ops and condos generally cost less than free-standing houses and require less upkeep, there are still some potential pitfalls. First, some definitions: When you buy a condominium, you get a deed and title to an apartment and contribute funds for the upkeep of common property such as the grounds, building exterior, lobby and elevators. Condo owners pay real estate taxes and in general can rent or sell as they wish.

The first time Dwight Ford visited Panama City two years ago, he was in for a big surprise. "I thought I would see guys pulling banana carts," he recalls. Instead, he found a thriving capital city and international banking center. "The value was staring me in the face." So was the prospect of a blissful retirement in a 31st-floor penthouse condominium overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dwight and his wife, Marciana Wilkerson, who lived outside Washington, D.C., put 10% down on two side-by-side condos selling for about $440,000 each when the luxury high-rise was under construction. Today, the condos in the fashionable commercial district of Punta Pacifica are worth close to $700,000 each. The couple plan to sell one and use the cash to pay off the other after moving in this spring. "We'll have no mortgage, and I get to choose my neighbors," says Dwight.

What's the best way to motivate Americans to save, invest and prepare for retirement? Some behavioral finance experts suggest using the carrot. Others suggest using the stick. And still others suggest using a combination of carrot and stick.

Just what is it that you want your retirement dollars to do? As you get closer to your retirement goal, you may want to work on preserving your portfolio. As a result, you may find you no longer want to take on a lot of risk. So think about what you want your investments to do. And if you are now in a position to preserve your wealth, don't be afraid to shift more of your investments to bonds or cash. If your retirement is at least 15 years away, you can probably afford to keep more of your retirement plan in stocks. Focus on solid growth investments, such as large-cap stocks. True, the market is full of wild ups and downs, but you have time on your side. Just don't panic when the inevitable downs come your way (as they have over the past three years). Keep socking it away.

It's alarming how off-track so many people are with managing their 401(k). From missing out on company matches to overloading on company stock, they're at high risk of never being able to reach a comfortable retirement because of misguided choices. This is more common than you think -- surveys that track 401(k) participant behavior consistently show that far too many continue to make the wrong moves. So consider this my personal GPS navigation system for getting you to your retirement destination on time and in good shape.

Even if you're already convinced you that saving in an IRA is a sensible thing to do, you still have a little bit of research to do. There are two main types of IRA accounts, and selecting the one that's best for you can be a daunting process. Fortunately, you can figure this out in relatively short order by following these three steps.

Asset-Allocation Funds Can Curb Market Timing, Leading to Better Returns Mutual-fund investors can be their own worst enemies, but there is hope for curtailing their errant behavior, according to a study released yesterday. The average mutual-fund investor earns significantly less than fund performance figures suggest, mostly because of their own impatient behavior. But asset-allocation funds can "create a comfort zone" to help protect investors from themselves, according to Dalbar Inc.'s 2007 Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior.

How are you planning to spend your retirement? Sailing in the Greek isles? Learning to cook while living in a Tuscan villa? Perfecting your golf game in Scotland? Skiing in the Swiss Alps? Or maybe just lying on the beach in Bali? If your dreams include these or any other exotic adventures, you can't afford to wait until retirement to start exploring the world. It's time to pack your bags now--at least as far as your portfolio is concerned.

States Look at Ways to Cut Burdensome Property Taxes, Other Measures to Aid Homeowners INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Maurice Gunyon thought he was set for his twilight years. He bought a deteriorating house on Indianapolis' north side, had it torn down and a new one built. The 73-year-old retired from his government job in 2004, thinking he was financially secure. His income included his pension, personal savings, Social Security and rent from the other side of his two-family house.