The Keller Williams model is heavily built on “teams” and internal profit-sharing, which can lead to a culture where agents prioritize internal transactions (keeping the deal “in-house”) over finding the best external fit for a buyer.
wanted to get some opinions. I own a home in New England. I am in the process of relocating for work to VA. will be moving rather quickly and we are already under contract and closing on a new home end of may. Planning to list our home in the next week or so.
however much to my dismay something is wrong with the central air and it’s an aging unit that I’m betting will be a needs replacement.
I’ve replaced all other major mechanicals in this house during my 5 year ownership as they were all aged and i had failures
septic, roof, well pump, hot water heater have all been replaced within the last 3 years. I’ve gotta be honest I don’t blame a buyer for wanting AC. but I don’t want to deal with the replacement. I just want to sell the home and move on lol. would it be reasonable to just disclose this and offer a credit at closing to offset the cost of replacement? Or simply negotiate the offer down on the house?
any input or recommendations are welcome. Thanks in advance
Just wanted to start off by saying first time homebuyers definitely have it worse, between the rapid appreciation of the past five years and interest rates that are significantly higher than they were.
My wife and I are currently in a 1,000 sf starter home in a nice area with a garage and finished basement that I bought almost ten years ago. I’ve done a lot of work to it and it’s nicely updated and in great shape, but we have a little one now (and are planning for more) and would like a little more space. We’d also like to be a little closer to family, we aren’t terribly far but it would be nice to be closer for childcare, visits and other support. I fully recognize that we are fortunate to have a home and don’t *need* this, but it would be nice.
We are very fortunate that we have significant equity in this house (it’s appreciated and I refi’d down to a 15-year when rates were ultra low) and have saved a significant amount of cash to put down on top of that. So we did not think it would be terribly difficult to find something we’d like when our new budget is almost double what our current home is anticipated to sell for.
We were wrong. The inventory in both our area and the ones we’re looking (Detroit Suburbs) is still well below historical levels. So it’s hard finding anything to look at. On top of that, a lot of the stuff that *does* come to market is garbage. It seems like it’s all either new builds that are absurdly out of our price range ($700K+) or existing homes that need a TON of work. Homes that either haven’t been updated at all in decades or have been updated very shoddily. Some of these homes aren’t just dated, they’re downright gross and decrepit.
We don’t need something completely turnkey. And it would be fine if these homes were priced accordingly… but they’re not. Everyone demanding top dollar for their turds, thinking they’re sitting on a pot of gold. These houses mostly sit, but sellers refuse to negotiate.
And we really aren’t getting much more for spending nearly double. More square footage, but not significantly more. A larger yard, but not acreage or anything like that. Homes in our new area sell comparably for what they do in our existing area, so it’s not like we’re moving to a much more upscale area. I just feel very discouraged.
We went into this knowing rates are higher. And it’s not like we couldn’t just settle and buy something. But it’s hard to stomach paying $1,000-$1,200 more per month (almost double our current payment) on a 30 year rather than 15 year, for a marginally larger house and yard that needs a ton of work. It just seems like an extremely poor value proposition and I’m starting to understand why more sellers are sitting tight and not listing their homes. Anyone else going through this? At this point we’re considering just sitting tight another few years, saving more money and only making a move when we can actually find something we *really* like.
If I have 2 properties being rented out, from my understanding it’s best to have them in two separate LLCs, then have those LLCs under a trust.
The idea is less liability in case a tenant sues. Is having two LLCs, one per property, overkill though, if each property is worth ~$450k (and paid off, no mortgage)?
I know this probably is looked down upon, but me and my kid have been living in hotel for nearly a month already. I just retired from the military, and they messed up orders causing a 3 week delay. The USAF had stopped retirement orders starting 1 April, I had requested retirement before that but someone couldn't read the orders.
I'm trying to find the best way to move in just 2 weeks before the close out date, and not be a risk to the sellers and be fair to both parties. We wouldn't move any furniture except 2 inflatable mattresses for us to sleep on. My daughter needs to get back into school but it requires a residential address to attend, and a hotel won't work.
We bought our house five years ago and were made aware that our neighbor’s AC is over our property line by one foot. We have a small yard so this is significant. It’s on a concrete slab and we have survey documents showing the encroachment, as well as survey posts.
The property of our neighbor’s has switched hands a few times but within the same family.
The air conditioner wasn’t an issue until recently, when we have experienced some things that may be harassment- we found dog waste and other waste in our yard that looks like it was placed there intentionally.
I either want them to move it, or to get it in writing that use of the property does not confer ownership so they can’t claim adverse possession. Whats my next step; do I need a real estate attorney?
Hi everyone,
We are renting, love our neighborhood, and the landlord wants to sell to us off market. The landlord is also a real estate agent by profession and will be representing themselves. Has anyone done this before? Any advice? I’m in Baltimore, MD and apparently involving a real estate lawyer is not common here. We do not have an agent. This is our first time buying a home so this process is a little anxiety ridden 😅
Hi,
House was in a trust, and our lawyer sent out the "closing package" sometime last week, or perhaps the week before. House closed on the 7th, the closing package included like a settlement document, showing buyers and sellers account, price of house, things that were taken out of the proceeds (taxes, solar lien) and that was it. Haven't heard from the lawyer. My uncle is the trustee and other beneficiary. I texted the lawyer this past Friday, no response. I called today (Monday 4/20) and got voicemail. All I've read about is people talking about how they get the money the same day, or on their way back to their car, etc. We closed 13 days ago so I'm wondering... I have also read that things can take longer when it involves a trust and probate lawyers I guess? Anyone have experience with this? What kind of timeline are you usually looking at?
I have a large deal with appraisals that I paid $2,150 for. The old lender misrepresented closing costs one day before closing, so I told him I’m shopping the loan. Found a new lender immediately who was willing to close using the same appraisals.
The old lender is acting like a baby and refusing to release the appraisals that I paid for. I reached out to the appraisal company, and they’re also refusing to release them without the old lender’s permission.
What can I do here?
Transfer On Death Deed - Minnesota Thoughts?
Just learned about these recently. We don't have a large estate, and aren't excited about the relatively large cost of a trust. Our house is paid off and we have no debt. We are in our mid-60s in decent health, with 2 adult married sons who get along well. Odds are we'll sell this house and start renting somewhere before we die, but who knows the future.
All our savings and investments accounts are set up with our sons as 50-50 beneficiaries.
My wife had part ownership of her mother's house, which sold last year and created capital gains tax issues for us and her siblings.
It's my understanding a TODD would bypass probate AND also provide a step-up basis. Those both seem worth pursuing now to simplify things for our sons if/when.
I'd welcome any thoughts on the matter, including the best way to go about it. I did some research and found the forms and can go downtown as much as is needed. Wondering if it would be worth hiring a real estate attorney to make sure it gets done right.
Currently been living in this house for 7 years and Lanlord says he wants to sell, so it’s either move out or buy it. I’ve grown quite fond of this house and have the cash saved up to buy it in full, no loans needed. I’ve never bought a house before; and he’s never sold a house before. Trying to figure out how to get started, do I just write him a check and he gives me the deed? Complete noob when it comes to this I’ve rented my whole life, TN if it matters
In greater Austin area. Saw big jump in new listings late march and first week of April. Homes in good school districts sold quickly, homes in bad school districts are a sitting duck.
I thought April - June was the busiest months but so far, last 2 weeks at least, there’s what feels like a 70%++ drop in new listings every day. Maybe it’s a hint of FOMO kicking in..
What are you all seeing in your markets?
Looking to buy a house and I've been informed that nobody in that region trust inspectors. That it is almost a guarantee that if I have the condition of an inspection, my offer is going to be thrown out. I am not thrilled about buying a house without an inspection but if wanting in an inspection throws out all my chances of buying a house is it still worth it?
On top of that it is at the high end of my budget and I will not have any "oh shit, the roof just caved in" money for any major repairs.
Many of us have received cold calls from investment organizations when we are not considering to sell. Have any of you accepted these cold call offers when you're ready to sell? Apparently it can be cheaper since they're offering upfront.
Seems a little dodgy to me. I've asked for their website to lookup their information but not sure what else I should enquire into to ensure they are legit.
Location: Queens, New York
I'm selling my primary residence (the “Home”) which is located in Queens, New York. The Home was originally purchased by my mom for $232,206 in 2008, and the deed was in my mom’s name (the “Original Deed”). A mortgage was used to finance the transaction. The Home was transferred from my mom to her trust (the “Trust”) in 2020. Finally, the Home was transferred from the Trust to me in 2022, with a quitclaim deed. I paid no consideration, and have used the Home as my primary residence since 2022.
My mom has since passed away and I have no way of obtaining the HUD-1 or sales contract from 2008. I’ve tried contacting the title company and her closing attorney, but they have both gone out of business. The mortgage bank is not willing to provide a copy of either.
I was able to locate the Original Deed and RP-5217NYC on ACRIS. The Original Deed shows consideration of $10, while the RP-5217NYC shows a full sales price of $232,206.
The Home is currently appraised at $630,000. I am aware of the standard $250,000 capital gains tax exemption from the sale of a primary residence, but understand that is in addition to the exemption for original purchase price (please correct me if I am incorrect on this).
Is the Original Deed and RP-5217NYC on ACRIS enough to prove original purchase price for capital gains exemption?
I am planning to sell the Home, however, considering I have no access to the HUD-1 or sales contract from 2008, will I have to pay capital gains tax on the full $232,206?
Alternatively, if I am able to somehow get a copy of the sales contract from 2008, is this sufficient to prove original purchase price for capital gains exemption? Do I need anything in addition to the sales contract from 2008? I definitely will be not able to get access of any copies of the checks.
Thanks in advance.
I am going to sell my house and the real estate agent I was planning on using sent over her contract today. The broker's compensation is listed at 6% of the sales price and the authority to cooperate and compensate other brokers 2.5% of the sales price. Does this mean I'm paying 8.5% in commission to both agents? Or does it mean I'm paying 3.5% to the selling agent and 2.5% to the buyers agent? What is the standard? Should I not be offering any payment to the buying agent and let them negotiate for it? This is my first house sale so I appreciate the guidance. Thanks.
So, wondering if there's any way to swing it, or if I should just pass it up. Got an offer on my house, so look for a new one. House now at 240k and inspection report shows a quote for 41k to fix damages. As is, no further repairs done by seller. At 240 I can afford it, add on another 41k I can not. What do u think would be a reasonable offer to them, considering those damages needed repaired?
Does a solar install actually add value in 2026, or is it a liability? The answer is in the post-incentive math. I created this app to help homeowners and investors see the "Net Cost" vs. "Long-term Savings" specifically for the 2026 tax environment. It’s a clean, data-driven tool for your toolkit. No sign-ups required—just run the numbers on your latest property.
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or see the Devvit listing here:
I'm in CA.
First, I made such a stupid mistake. Trust but didn't verified.
When putting the offer, I asked via text that don't put "as is". my realtor ignored it and there was no inspection contingency in the contract and now I am in the hook for it, in the seller's disclosure, they disclosed there was a leaked in the last heavy rainfall (2 months ago), and in home inspection, the report indicated the roof need to be fixed (mortars failed, tiles were loose.) I lost legal power to ask seller to fix issues. Luckily I still have loan contingency and appraisal contingency.
Appraisal came back above market value which is good. but did not mentioned termite or roof leaks.
I am using VA loan so the VA required termite/dry rot treatment, but the roof area is gray.
Can I reach out the manage broker of the agent and complain for commission credit?
chatgpt gave me a decent ideas for the next steps, which is get roof repair estimated and email the agent's team leader about the issues and request credit for the roof. then elevated to managing broker and complain to DRE
But I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks
I'm sorry if I sounded like I'm rambling.
Im talking “values“ up 50-100% since Covid in my neighborhood. I’ve toured a few where everything is still original from when the houses were built in 1992 (like original jetted tubs and builder grade bathrooms, 8-10 year old kitchens and roofs). All are asking over $800K when they sold in 2015 for $3-400K.
I just sold a house where we had remodeled every major room (kitchen, baths, floors, roof, HVAC) and felt justified in our markup. But it’s crazy now to see sellers asking for that markup for just a few basic maintenance items.
Yet most of these sellers are willing to just sit and wait it out until they find a desperate buyer. Several have sat on/off market for close to a year. I’m frustrated (and jealous). I’d like to upgrade my home but I can’t justify these values.