Advice Topic:
Is there anything I can do to save money on a mortgage?
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.
Our home is outdated and we want to sell.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 items need to be left behind after selling? I'm assuming appliances. What else? Thanks
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?
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? 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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
Do I need to replace a 20 year old roof before I sell? No leaks
The previous owner had just changed them, do i have to buy all new ones?
Is there a housing shortage? It seems like houses are for sale, so what does that mean?
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? What should we be aware of and watch out for regarding fraud?
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? Can solar panels decrease value? Do some people don't want to care for them or worry about them damaging the roof?
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?
What are the best places for flipping houses?
What is wholesale real estate? How many agents are involved in the transaction?
Looking for person to communicate with to obtain information about how to sell my business.
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 the value of my home?
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?
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 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?
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 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? While I understand some things are personal preference, are there specific red flags for homes for the average person?
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? How is it used?
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?
Is it a good idea to get an appraisal even if I'm a cash buyer? Thanks.
What if a room does not have a closet, can it be a bedroom?
My lawn and trees are in sad shape. Is it worth it to invest in new landscaping? If so, what should I focus on?
First time buying a home, and doing all paperwork through email. Is that normal?
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.
Hi, First-time homebuyer. Should I buy a condo or a single family house? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
Thinking of moving to San Francisco, but why is it so expensive? I'm wondering if I can afford it.
Looking to retire and move. Where are the best retirement communities?
What does no contingency mean?
Do you pay taxes when you sell a house?
we liked our ceiling fans. they're so useful! but are they out-dated?
Can you get rid of an old house smell? How?
How do I find out the history of a property? How can I search a property's public records?
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?
Are there certain areas or things that home inspectors can't look at? If so, what can't home inspectors do?