SoCal_Engr's Q&A

@ Dan...Not to presume to know/understand what Zillow is thinking, I don't have any issue with what was done.As I read it, it was not a ban on re-asking a question, but on simply posting a thread to effectively ask the same question in a different forum. I saw a question in one forum, and thought it would get better responses from a different forum - so I effectively "re-posted" it.I don't see this as a ban on different people asking the same question on multiple threads, or even re-asking the question when the answers on the original thread are un-satisfactory. Rather, it is for people who specifically create a thread just to point at another. No harm, no foul.

There are many online articles on how to sell FSBO, including using flat fee services to list in the MLS. However, unless you are willing/able to do your own homework, you may be in for a rough road. Listing the house is only one of the many things you will need to do, and there are at least 2-3 things you should have already done.This link might help you out, both with what you can expect as a FSBO, as well as whether you should go this route.

don't do it, an agent is like a insurance policy, but won't cost you anythingObviously, the OP thinks differently. Reality is that REAs add about 6% into the total transaction cost. If the seller is FSBO, then there's 6% for both seller and buyer to play with on price. If seller is a traditional listing, then things will get more interesting. Either way, the OP seems to think that there is some benefit to not using a REA.p.s. A form is a form is a form. If I were confident that the expertise counts more than the form, I'd have no problems sharing the form - in the expectation of a call for help in filling it out.

Kind of rough to come on a RE forum, tell the REAs you're not going to use them, and then ask them to share an example of an offer letter.However, if you Google "online real estate forms", you might run across this site. May still have to pay some to get the forms, but...Speaking of "pay", are you trying to buy from a FSBO? If not, let us know how successful you are in negotiating the buy-side of the listing agreement into your offer.

I am using Win7 and IE9. Everything seems to be working okay, including searches. What is "not working" with IE?

I'm using Win7 and IE9, Zillow seems to be working okay - including searches.

I'd really like to see a response from a lender.

I've done asphalt-over-existing, and the main concern was condition of the existing roof. Below are some comments on "existing condition" from a person in the biz..."Even if the structure can support the added weight, the new roof won't last unless it's laid flat over smooth shingles, intact flashing, and sound sheathing. Localized problems, like a few missing shingles or one or two soft spots in the sheathing — at the mouth of a valley, for example, or around pipes or at the bottom of the chimney — can be easily repaired, but beyond that it's more efficient to do a complete tear-off. I also rule out reroofing if a careless prior reshingling has left the roof with a washboard surface."The full article can be read here.

Zillow fan...of course they don'tNot a Fan..of course they doPersonally, I think it's not as simple as "Zillow Fan" and "Not a Fan". For some, maybe. But, there's a whole spectrum between the extremes that this viewpoint ignores.BTW - The "short version" of my original response to the OP's question is "likely, but with caveats".

In my experience, "a little information" is a dangerous weapon - often resulting in self-inflicted wounds.Is Zillow driving prices down? Indirectly? Possibly. Consumers who take any single data point and don't bother to cross-check with other sources could be overly influenced by Zestimates. But, using that criteria, the same can be said about any other sources that are mistakenly viewed by consumers as "gospel"; be that RE pundits, REAs, the RE section in the local paper (ours sounds like a journalism major doing cut-and-paste of RE sound bites), or some late night infomercial. The Internet has brought a large volume of data to the fingertips of the average Joe. But, data is not information, and information is not knowledge.Using 20/20 hindsight, the local RE market was already pretty jacked - even before Zillow hit the scene. In the early '90's, many houses in SoCal were underwater - especially in the mid-to-high end tract houses. And then, rebound...right through the bubble. What "information source" should we credit with driving that trend?My opinion? Reality is, consumers drive markets. And, there will always be a pool of consumers who don't exercise due dilegence - leaving them vulnerable to the "information de jeur", whatever the source. But, having multiple sources of data/information makes it much easier to cross-check - if one is willing to put in a little effort.