Have licensed real estate agents in answer your questions

How can I save money on a mortgage loan?

Is there anything I can do to save money on a mortgage?

How big should I make my downpayment?

How big should I make my downpayment? If i can squeeze and put more than 20% down should I? I'm also worried about having a cushion if something breaks on the house.

Should we remodel half the home?

Our home is outdated and we want to sell. We could afford to remodel half the home, but is it worth it? Does it look weird if only 1 floor of our 2 story home is renovated? Or would the increase in home value outweigh the cost of the reno?

What needs to be left behind after selling?

What items need to be left behind after selling? I'm assuming appliances. What else? Thanks

Does landscaping add value?

Our home has minimal landscaping. If we landscape will it add value? If so, is there a limit on how much we should spend to get value?

Should I appeal my property taxes?

We're already paying a hefty sum every year in property taxes. And every year they're going up. Should I appeal my property taxes to try to get them reduced? Or do I just need to accept the increase in property taxes?

What are red flags when buying a flipped house?

What are red flags when buying a flipped house? I've seen some houses that clearly were quickly and cheaply flipped. Or some that look good, but I'm still concerned that it's poorly done and cosmetics are just covering problems.

Are there property investment groups to join?

I want to invest in property/properties, but I don't want the responsibility of managing it or incurring all the costs. Are there property investment groups to join? Like a pool of investors that all buy property and share the profit or loss? If these exist, how can I find one?

Property value and taxes have gone way up?

We received our tax assessment and our property value went way up. This also means our taxes went up significantly. Do we have any recourse to fight the increase in property taxes? We live in Illinois.

Is it ok to store items in the garage when selling?

Can I use the garage for storage when selling my home? I know I need to clear out the clutter, but I need somewhere to put it. I'd prefer to not get a storage unit.

How do I qualify for Affordable Housing?

How do I qualify for Affordable Housing?

Different loan for renovations?

Hi, We're looking to buy a home and are open to renovating an older home. Will we need a different kind of loan for a home that will require renovations? Or do we take out 2 loans? How does this work?

How long can my home's roof last?

Do I need to replace a 20 year old roof before I sell? No leaks

Do I have to change the locks on my new house?

The previous owner had just changed them, do i have to buy all new ones?

Is there a housing shortage?

Is there a housing shortage? It seems like houses are for sale, so what does that mean?

Are there too many vacation rentals?

We're thinking of getting a vacation rental, but wondering about the market. Are there too many vacation rentals in the market? Are prices for Air Bnb rentals going down?

How common is fraud in real estate?

How common is fraud in real estate? What should we be aware of and watch out for regarding fraud?

Invest or pay off mortgage?

I have a low-interest rate on my house thanks to the recent years of low-interest mortgage rates. Is it better to pay an extra $200/month to pay down my mortgage or should I take that money and invest it?

Do solar panels add value to a house?

Do solar panels add value to a house? Can solar panels decrease value? Do some people don't want to care for them or worry about them damaging the roof?

US agents to buy property in a different country?

I want to buy property in another country. Do buyers hire US agents to buy property in a different country? Or do I need an agent living in that country? How does the payment work?

Where are the best locations for flipping houses?

What are the best places for flipping houses?

What is wholesale real estate?

What is wholesale real estate? How many agents are involved in the transaction?

How much would a single family home cost in Mililani, HI?

How do I find an agent to help me sell my business?

Looking for person to communicate with to obtain information about how to sell my business.

Are there any grants when purchasing a manufactured home?

I am trying to buy a brand new double wide manufactured home and I’m trying to find any grants or help available.

How much does a bathroom remodel increase value?

How much does a bathroom remodel increase the value of my home?

How much should I spend on a kitchen remodel?

We're planning to remodel our kitchen. We want it to be beautiful, of course, but we don't want to go so crazy with the upgrades that we never recoup our money. Is there a recommend amount to spend on a kitchen remodel? Or a percentage?

How much does a kitchen remodel increase home value?

If we renovate our kitchen, how much will our home value go up? I know you can't know definitively, but is there a percentage or a range? Thanks!

Can the commission rate change?

Can the commission rate change? Can an agent decide to charge a higher commission once there's an offer? What if my home takes a long time to sell, can the agent decide to charge me a higher commission? If so, is the agent required to tell me that they are charging a higher commission?

Is my area a hot market for selling - Cheyenne Wyoming?

Looking to sell my single family home, detached with a pole barn. Can I get a lot for it? Are homes selling for over asking?

What's the best way to scope out a neighborhood?

What's the best way to scope out a neighborhood before moving and without being creepy?! We all know neighbors can make or break a living situation...

What are red flags to look for on a home tour?

What are red flags to look for on a home tour? While I understand some things are personal preference, are there specific red flags for homes for the average person?

How long should I have to wait before relist my house?

How long should I wait before relisting my house on the MLS? The house was for sale, we took it off and now want to try to sell again. Can we list it again?

What is debt to income ratio?

What is debt to income ratio? How is it used?

How do I live in my house while selling it?

We have 3 very young children and want to sell our house. But the thought of trying to keep the house clean constantly and having all the showings feels overwhelming. Do you have advice on how to live in our house while selling it?

Should I get an appraisal as a cash buyer?

Is it a good idea to get an appraisal even if I'm a cash buyer? Thanks.

Does a bedroom have to have a closet to be legally called a bedroom?

What if a room does not have a closet, can it be a bedroom?

When planning to sell should I invest in new landscaping?

My lawn and trees are in sad shape. Is it worth it to invest in new landscaping? If so, what should I focus on?

Is applying for a mortgage loan through email normal?

First time buying a home, and doing all paperwork through email. Is that normal?

Buying a condominium ?

What do I need to look out for when buying a condominium? Do I need inspections since the association covers the structure? What about financials and rules? I have no idea what to consider.

Should I buy a condo or a small single family house?

Hi, First-time homebuyer. Should I buy a condo or a single family house? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

Why is San Francisco so expensive?

Thinking of moving to San Francisco, but why is it so expensive? I'm wondering if I can afford it.

Where are the best retirement communities?

Looking to retire and move. Where are the best retirement communities?

What does no contingency mean?

What does no contingency mean?

Do you pay taxes when you sell a house?

Do you pay taxes when you sell a house?

Are ceiling fans out-dated?

we liked our ceiling fans. they're so useful! but are they out-dated?

How do you get rid of an old house smell?

Can you get rid of an old house smell? How?

How do I find out the history of a property?

How do I find out the history of a property? How can I search a property's public records?

What affects a home appraisal?

What affects a home appraisal? Do I want the appraisal to be the same as the offer or above it? Is there anything I can do that will affect the home appraisal?

What are home inspectors not allowed to do?

Are there certain areas or things that home inspectors can't look at? If so, what can't home inspectors do?