Jon White's Q&A

Chris, you need not go it alone. You can get the help of a local REALTOR who specializes with Buyers (a Buyers' Agent). As you hold a real estate license, you can certainly request a split on the commission they will receive for helping you with the negotiations, contract and closing. And, it is very legal. In this market, many GOOD agents are willing to take this business opportunity rather than have you work alone on it. You get to learn a bit on the residential side of the business, get some of the commissions, and help another professional by letting them do their job for you and get paid for it by the seller. Everyone wins.

In a Short-Sale situation, the contract between Buyer and Seller is subject to the review and approval of the 3rd Party (Lender(s)). While the title issues may create problems to convey the property, it is not typically an issue the Seller uses to Cancel the contract (and certainly not an issue used to retain the earnest money deposit).The real questions are what is in the contract as conditions for a clear or not-clear title? Who is paying for the Title Insurance to convey that title? Can the "cloud" on the title be cleared in some way?The Title Insurance company can typically answer these questions as they will be the ones issuing the insurance to the new owner and will have reviewed the Buy/Sell contract from their perspective to do so. These are all typical reasons to have a real estate professional represent you when negotiating/ writing the terms of the Buy/Sell Contract. If not a REALTOR, then a good real estate attorney. In the long run, nothing is cheaper than the good advice from a paid professional.

Residential appraisers perform appraisals for estate purposes to establish a home's market value for a specific day in the past (usually the date of death). They use many of the same tools for a current value, but must look back at the data that would have been available upon that specific date. What homes sold, were pending for sale, where on the market and the associated data of how long they took to sell, the trend in the market, available financing terms, etc.If you have a specific date in mind, or have a specfic need for this information, then I would suggest you call upon a local appraiser to get this report done (it must be done by a professional if it is to be used in court).If you are just curious, and wish a value range, a local REALTOR can provide this service with a minimum amount of time.I hope this helps.

Linda is right: there are many factors which contribute to the VALUE of a home. Size is not everything. Desireable amenities and upgrades, curb-appeal, use of space (bedrooms are more valuable than offices, full bath is more valuable than 1/2 bath), and location of the home/lot relative to busy streets, parks/play-areas all contribute in different ways to the overall value the market will place on a home.