Real Estate Advice category archives

Does Putting a Fence on your Property Increase Your Home’s Value?

By: Drew Meyers Zillow Business Development Specialist | November 11, 2009

JC Smith of Titan Fabrication asks in Zillow Advice:
Does putting a fence on your property increase the value?
I have been doing a lot of research about this question. I have gotten information from both sides. Some saying adding a fence does increase the property and others saying it doesn’t really doesn’t.
There is no [...]

New $6500 Tax Credit Spurring Debate

By: Diane Tuman Zillow Content Manager | November 10, 2009

The $8000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers was recently extended through April 30 and expanded to include more people, which leads Athens, GA real estate agent Matt Thomas to ask in Zillow Advice:
Why is the newly-announced $6500 tax credit only for people that have owned their home 5 of 8 years?
It seems like an [...]

September 2009 saw real estate values remain flat from the prior month (-0.1% change in the Zillow Home Value Index from August), but fall almost 7% from their values one year ago. That brings the national market down 21% from its peak in the second quarter of 2006, taking home values back to levels last [...]

Buy vs. Rent Question by First-time Buyer

By: Diane Tuman Zillow Content Manager | November 5, 2009

Zillow user Muddslide says in Zillow Advice:
I’m a first time home buyer and have saved 200,000. I’m looking for a great deal, but am really gun shy.
It’s nice to hear there really are people who have been careful and not been sucked into the subprime seducements of the past few years. What would you do?

What is the Best Way to Remove Wallpaper?

By: Diane Tuman Zillow Content Manager | November 2, 2009

mckylie (who has over 5,000 contributions on Zillow, BTW), asks in Zillow Advice:
What is the best way to remove wallpaper?
Do you have any tried and true ways? Please chime in!

Foreclosure vs. Short Sale. Which is Better?

By: Diane Tuman Zillow Content Manager | October 30, 2009

Diane Wheatley of MoveUpProperties asks in Zillow Advice:
Foreclosure. vs Short Sale. Which is Better?
When you consider the tax consequences, future ability to purchase a home and the length of time involved for all, is there a true benefit to a short sale vs. a foreclosure sale?
Do you think you know the answer?

What is Success Rate of Loan Modifications Using an Attorney?

By: Diane Tuman Zillow Content Manager | October 28, 2009

Good question in Zillow Advice by Kelly Roehrich:
What is the success rate with loan modifications using an attorney?
Do you have any experience doing a loan modifications with an attorney’s assistance? Can you give Kelly some advice?

Over in Zillow Advice user Mnikishyn asks:
From what I already know, a fixer upper offer is always contingent upon inspection (listing price-price to fix it to a livable point). But what else do I need to think about?
She continues -
There’s property that I am interested in, priced at $365K. Realistically, I’d like to get it [...]

What Causes a Damp Basement?

By: Sarah Greenleaf PR Intern | October 15, 2009

Over in Zillow Advice user Elipe asks:
What are the main causes of a damp basement?
The question continues -
Is it a bad sign if the sellers have a dehumidifier in the basement?  What is the best remedy to dry out a basement?  How much does this cost?
Do you have advice for Elipe on what causes [...]

Zillow’s own Spencer Rascoff asks the question on Zillow Advice on behalf of a friend buying the property she had been renting: 
Renter who is buying house in Seattle seeks flat-fee advice
The thread has some great advice from agents, including that it should be inspected by a professional, even if the renter has been living there [...]

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