It’s been a decade since the housing market collapsed, and home prices have finally regained their previous peak. According to the State of the Nation’s Housing 2017 report, released today by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, U.S. home prices rose 5.6 percent in 2016, beating out their pre-recession highs. Across the [...]
When transferring rental property to your child, is it better to sell it to them or leave it to them in a will? Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages. Q: First, I always enjoy reading your advice column in the Torrance CA Daily Breeze home guide magazine. Your article today, "Selling a rental property [...]
Selling a unique home requires savvy marketing tactics. If the property is truly unique, there are probably few buyers locally (and maybe even globally) who will want to pay for what you've created. But there's always a buyer for even the most unique home at the right price. Q: I’ve dedicated 35 years, plus a [...]
Many homeowners ask if they should buy a new house before they sell their current home. Most people can't afford to own two homes at once, but there are many variables - such as your financial situation and housing needs - that can affect this answer. Q: I'm wondering if I should buy a new house before [...]
We often get questions about prepayment penalties and whether the penalty period will apply if a homeowner sells the home rather than just prepays the mortgage. Q: I just signed a contract on my house with a closing at the end of next month. I also bought a new house with same closing date. I [...]
Seller disclosure issues often cause headaches for buyers. In this case, a homeowner (who purchased a home with a sunroom addition three years ago) feels that the seller of the property didn't disclose problems with the addition. The lack of seller disclosure means the homeowner could be facing a huge bill to fix the problem. Q: [...]
Q: I am a 55 and own a house in Chicago. I decided to change my career and to pursue a PhD beginning in the fall of 2018. Meanwhile, I just accepted a 1-year position in Seattle, and am not sure after my year away whether I will return to Chicago, stay in Seattle, or potentially [...]
Q: How do I find the best real estate agent? And, how do I choose which real estate agent to use? I'm learning a lot going through the process of "properly" selling my house. I interviewed five real estate agents the Saturday before last, and I was amazed by the range of differences in their [...]
How clean should you leave your house when selling? That's what this new homeowner wants to know after the sellers left a mess for her at move-in. Q: I want to know how clean should a seller leave a house after the closing? My husband and I recently took possession of our new home this past [...]
Selling your home is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit scary. The end result - a sale - depends a great deal on correctly timing your sale. So, if you’re planning to sell this fall, during the middle of a presidential election, here’s what you need to know: 1. Your local [...]
