Answers by Keith Jean Pierre

Elena, negotiating with an owner real estate agent is going to most likely be the same as negotiating with a real estate agent that does not own the home. Yes, they might have more emotion to the property, but any good real estate agent is going to handle the transaction the same way they would their clients; if not better. Best of luck with your purchase. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

How much work are you willing to take on and do you have the funds to do said projects? Those are the two most important factors to consider. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Laura, a home's value goes up or down based on location, quality, market conditions, and property condition. When demand rises or properties improve, values go up; when neighborhood conditions decline or the economy slows, values go down. Home improvements tend to be the sure fire way to increase home value; regardless of market conditions. Good luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Laura, mortgage down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, and immediate repairs are things you should factor in when purchasing a home. Speaking with a mortgage professional, will give you a very clear understanding of what to expect, based on the mortgage programs you qualify for. Let me know if you have any additional questions or need further assistance. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Britney, speaking with a mortgage professional will be a good start as we do not have all your information (income, credit score, location, etc) to give you an accurate estimation. Once you speak to them, they will have all your information to determine which programs you would qualify for. Best of luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Chris, this is a personal choice, but I would like to remind you that when you ask for a credit, you do not get a "check," it is usually either credited toward your closing costs or reflected in a purchase price reduction. If you do not have the funds to make the repairs, I would suggest seller repairs over a credit. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Samuel, the land beneath a standard condominium is owned collectively by all the unit owners as a shared common element, though it can occasionally be owned by a third-party landlord in a leasehold setup. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Audrey, technically yes, an HOA can try to enforce a rule against you, but doing so while ignoring identical neighbor violations is called selective enforcement and is legally risky for them. Courts often view this unfair behavior as bias, which can completely invalidate the HOA's fines or legal actions against you but that requires going to court to reach said verdict. Just as a police officer can sometimes be selective in speeding offenses for example, same can be true of an HOA. Good luck with your situation. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Depends on the benefit. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Karen, most likely no but you should speak with a mortgage professional to determine your exact options. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Thomas, more details would be required, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, condition, and square footage just to start. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Angela, this is usually outlined on their auction website. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Jean, these properties are sold as is so know the process and know what repairs to look out for. If you do not have any prior knowledge of construction and home repair, RUN! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Brenton, call around and explain the specifics of your property. Then determine if you want to insure for the replacement cost of a regular house, instead of the cost it would be to replace an older house. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Olga, you have choice. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Alice, more information would be required; most importantly, what is your budget? Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Jessica, we would need more information to properly assist you. What is the condition of the home? How many beds/baths? Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

What did your listing agreement say? If you did not list this as an exclusion, most likely it will need to remain. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Statement are required and I would suggest speaking with an attorney to discuss your options. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Robert, "normal" wear and tear is typically not a valid excuse for retaining a portion of the security deposit. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Depends, what is the commission you are planning on offering? If you are offering none or a low commission rate, agents are going to be less inclined to show your home, especially given the fact that you are using a discount broker who will almost always never offer any value or assistance. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Before buying a property with a long-term agricultural lease, you must know that the lease typically transfers with the land, meaning you may be legally required to honor the existing terms and expiration date, inherit the current rental income structure (such as cash rent or crop shares), and manage tenant access rights. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

This is a personal decision Tom that is completely based on your needs. In terms of resale, the prime location will almost always produce a better return. Good luck with your decision. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Buying a home with an oil heating system and a private water well is completely fine, but it requires extra inspections, including a private well water quality test, an oil tank inspection/soil test, and verifying that there are no underground tank leaks. Good luck with your purchase. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Lacey, the current trustee of the trust is responsible for signing the listing agreement, as they hold legal title and management authority/responsibility for the property. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Yes, read your HOA Bylaws regarding your abilities. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Jackson, any changes to your credit profile during the mortgage process can jeopardize your ability to qualify for a mortgage. It is generally accepted that you do not alter your credit in ANY WAY during the entire mortgage process to prevent future complications. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Ella, selling a home in a family trust requires confirming the trustee's legal authority, verifying property title ownership, and understanding capital gains / tax rules. You MUST review the trust document, check how the deed is named, and manage proceeds correctly as part of said trust. Best of luck with your sale. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Jean, this is a personal choice, but I would like to remind you that when you ask for a credit, you do not get a "check," it is usually either credited toward your closing costs or reflected in a purchase price reduction. If you do not have the funds to make the repairs, I would suggest seller repairs over a credit. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Josue, you can always ask for anything that you want, but the seller is under no obligation to conform to your requests. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Noel, offering as much as you are comfortable spending upfront, timing benefits (rent back to the seller, closing date accommodations), removing contingencies, and larger earnest money deposits are a good start. Good luck with your purchase. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Megan, no showings indicates a lack of tune with the market... i.e you are probably overpriced. I would suggest reviewing the comparable properties with a fine-tooth comb and making sure you are priced appropriately. Additionally, make sure your photos capture the best light of your home. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Not sure who told you this but a blanket statement of a permit not being required is guaranteed to be false. Speak with your local zoning department to determine what is required for the revision you would like to do. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Brenda, a good real estate agent will be able to assist you in this process. I would suggest looking at the agent directory on here to find a valuable partner to help you in every step of the process. Good luck with your purchase. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Lori, this will help you: https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/qualifying-for-a-mortgage-after-bankruptcy/ Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Mateo, this is definitely between you and your agent. With automations and showing feedback, we typically speak to our clients weekly if they so desire. Many of them with our process in place, don't even require that frequency. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Noel, neither option is universally better, as local credit unions and large national banks each offer distinct advantages depending on your financial profile. Credit unions generally provide lower interest rates, reduced fees, and more flexible underwriting for first-time buyers, while national banks offer advanced digital tools, a wider array of specialized loan products, and greater physical convenience. Good luck with your mortgage hunt! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Noel, this is personal choice as there are pros and cons to each. New construction offers energy efficiency and custom layouts, while an established house provides unique character and a mature neighborhood. Your choice depends entirely on whether you prefer low maintenance or historical charm. Good luck house hunting.

Ram, this is entirely personal preference. Determine what you are comfortable with and then work backwards from there. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

James, offering timing benefits (rent back to the seller, closing date accommodations), removing contingencies, and larger earnest money deposits are a good start. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Marc, do you want grandpa's house? Outside of the possible financial benefit, determine if you want to live there first and foremost. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

George, what is the overall goal here? If it is resale, a top tier school system can assist in this regard. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Lacey, key strategies for navigating multiple offers on a house include requesting highest and best offers, evaluating non-price terms like contingencies, and using single counteroffers carefully. I also like escalation clauses, but they are not for everyone. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

You can use high days on market (DOM) as leverage by offering below the asking price, asking for seller concessions, or requesting repairs, since a long wait signals seller fatigue. A high DOM can open the door to aggressive initial offers, but keep in mind, your offer should always still be backed by local data. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

To negotiate a large inspection credit, request itemized contractor estimates to verify the actual costs. MAKE SURE to separate major safety / structural defects from minor cosmetic ones as this is critical. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Teeaira, this depends on your state and local insurance laws. I would suggest speaking with a few insurance provides to get a clearer picture. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Nancy, just remember to keep in mind that a refinance starts you all over again. Given your age, if you anticipate owning the home outright one day, unless you are paying significantly larger mortgage payments, you will most likely never own your home outright at this stage by doing so. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Joshua, you have a significant challenge. Buy out or sell the home all together are really your only two options. Selling your share to a completely different individual adds further complications that I have a feeling neither of you would want and will be highly impossible. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Speak with an accountant. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Rodney, buy out or sell the home all together and split the proceeds are the only two logical plays. Selling to a completely different individual adds further complications that I have a feeling neither of you would want and will be highly impossible. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Kelly, a Pre-Approval is more in-depth and carries more weight in comparison to a Pre-Qualification. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States