Teresa Beidler's Advice

I would either have a Realtor or Real Estate Attorney look at things. I am a Realtor, but as blub, blub, blub indicated, you don't have to use a Realtor if you understand the contract and are in agreement with the terms of the contract. What you do need to look at is what will you be responsible for paying. There are items that may be customary for a buyer to pay and items customary for a seller to pay. You don't want to pay for EVERYTHING and you also don't want to give a buyer a complete "out" and no "out" for yourself should the buyer not fulfill things identified in the contract. Selling your home is a really BIG deal and I feel you would benefit from having either a Realtor or Attorney look at things BEFORE you sign! Price is not the only negotiable item in a contract and you don't want to be saddled with all the expenses or unknown/unspecified costs.

You can do a records search on the property appraiser's site by address to find out the name of the owner. When you have that information, you can go to the county clerk of court site and do a search by the home owner's name in public records. You will be looking for a Lis Pendens filed by their lender. This indicates that the current owner has been notifed that they are in default and this may provide you with the information you need.

Be careful with how the contract is written if you are not using a Realtor to write the contract, you need to know what time frames are running, who will pay for inspections, title work, legal fees, etc. I would NEVER purchase a property without using a good Real Estate Attorney and/or title company. With distressed properties, you should also make sure bankruptcy and tax liens are checked.

I am in agreement with the other comments.  A fully executed contract would have been best. 

I agree with comments made by other agents weighing in on your question, it sounds like you need to go back to your agent and ask for clarification!  Depending on where you are located, most CMAs are based on homes in the same neighborhood or close to that neighborhood, homes of a similar age, number of bedrooms/baths, garage, lot size, amenities, etc.  If your agent is busy and can't get you this info, ask if the broker might help.  My broker is awesome and will help me or any other agent in our office if we need assistance for a customer. Customers must come first and we all get busy, so please ask if the broker can help.  If sellers don't sell and buyers don't buy, we don't make money!!  Also, if you make an offer on a home, the appraisal must support your offer if you are financing the home.  I hope this helps.

Not knowing all of the facts, I would first check with the agent directly (assuming the listing agent is not also your Realtor).  If you've already done that then I suggest that you contact the Broker to see if he/she may be able to shed some light on things.  In some cases the agent may leave a property active while the current contract offer is being worked/processed and contingencies met.  One of the reasons they do this is so anyone else calling or showing an interested in the property can be notified should the current deal fall through.  You may also want to ask if making a backup offer is an option.  If they say yes to a backup offer, make sure you have them include which place in line your offer will be.  I hope this helps.

I agree with "Zilluminati" that you should offer what you are comfortable with, but keep in mind that a seller may have an emotional attachment to the home and therefore you will want to carefully present your offer in a manner that will hopefully appeal to the seller.  If you see that recent area sales are in line with the amount you want to offer, then you may want to provide this information to the Seller in support of your offer.  I've gone as far as providing a short note from a buyer describing what appealed to them about the property and how they visualized their family in the home.  This all depends on if you will have the luxury of making the offer directly to the Seller.   I hope this helps and good luck! 

A workshop will be held in Tallahassee December 7 & 8, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to provide Bank of America customers an opportunity to meet face-to-face with home retention specialists in order to review options for home loan modifications or other alternatives to foreclosure.  The workshop will take place at the Double Tree by Hilton, 101 S. Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL.  Customers are encouraged to schedule online at www.bankofamerica.com/homeownerevent or by calling (855) 201-7426.  Being informed about your options with BOA is important information you won't want to miss!

A lot of great responses to your question.  Not only would I work with a Realtor (not just a real estate agent), but also look at working with a Certified Home Marketing Specialist (CHMS).  A good Realtor with the CHMS designation will offer creative ideas for staging, marketing ideas, etc. that could provide the edge you need in today's market.  Interview more than one Realtor and make sure you ask for testimonials from past customers.  It is also important that the agent you work with has a method of reporting activity on your home's viewings, comments, providing you with updates on activity in your neighborhood as well as a marketing strategy that you both feel comfortable with.  I hope this helps and good luck!

Dear Kennedja,I see that you've got a question on the value of your home and property in the Crawfordville area.  If you'd like, I'd be more than happy to do a comparative Market Analysis and tell you what has recently sold in your neighborhood and what is currently on the market that may be in completition with your home should you decide to sell.  While the "Zestimate" helps, it is not always the most accurate as it is not as up to date as the local MLS records.  If you'd like me to work up a CMA for you, please feel free to contact me.  Id' be happy to.