Real Estate Advice category archives

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 [...]

A Zillow user with the profile name box4040 asks the question on Zillow Advice:
At 62 years old, should I buy a home or keep on renting?
Here’s more from box4040:
I qualify as a first time home buyer having sold my home 5 yrs ago. I have great credit and have a pre-approval letter from a lender.  [...]

Wow, are FSBOs really selling? In that case, here’s a question on Zillow Advice from duncanpriced2sell:
As a FSBO should I get a real estate agent to prepare paper work, e.g. contract for sale, title ins.

Reggie15 asks on Zillow Advice:
“Is our daughter considered a ‘first time home buyer’ for the purpose of the 8,000 tax credit?”

The worried parent continues:
“We purchased a condo six years ago and added our daughter’s name to the deed.  We paid cash for the condo - we paid the homeowners and the taxes, and she [...]

If you live in an earthquake prone area (yes, Seattle is one — that’s where Zillow is located), you probably wonder if earthquakes are covered under your insurance policy. Chances are, probably not.
So, this earthquake question in Zillow Advice is a good one:
Is it worthwhile to buy earthquake insurance?
Several insurance agents are chiming in such [...]

Loves LA asks on Zillow Advice:
“Near closing on a short sale with a tenant that won’t vacate. What are my options if…?”
I can hear a collective groan out there. This is a tough one — especially since the tenant is behind in rent. What are Loves LA’s options?

If you look out your window at home and see a big, hunkering vehicle parked on your neighbor’s lawn, do you care? Zillow user papabear4 asks in Zillow Advice:
Can a motorcoach be parked on property?
I suppose it depends on ordinances for any given area…

AJW 1975 of Darien, CT asks for help in Zillow Advice in dealing with a common problem for many homeowners:
If a neighbor’s tree leans into my yard, can I cut it?
He goes on to say:
There is a tree that is fenced in by three yards behind my house, but it leans into my yard.  I need [...]

in this tough economic time, people are finding ways to help pay the mortgage or pay the rent. Here’s an interesting question in Zillow Advice by r33brooks:
I see a lot of people renting out rooms in their homes (craigslist). But what about zoning, laws?

Unfortunately, this question is all too common these days. It comes from mayanin in Zillow Advice:
I owe more than my house value. How can I refi?
Read the answers from the Zillow community and learn more about President Obama’s refinance program.