Answers by Keith Jean Pierre

Simple answer is that any property you own in the United States, 99% chance you will pay property taxes. One of the prices we pay living in America. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Indeed! Any improvements that make the house better overall tends to result in the home selling faster. In your case, the enhancements you stated are highly suggested as it will prevent the home from looking like an eyesore. Remember, you want the buyers to stop in their tracks when they pull up or drive by because they want to live there, not because they are turned off. That positive shock value will result in a higher net number overall. Best of luck with the sale! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Josh, this is completely a personal decision. Statistically most people tend to do this after retirement but the fact that you said that the home is starting to feel overwhelming, in my opinion, is the answer you were looking for. Best of luck with the move! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Depends on the contingency you had, but since you mentioned the loan, there should be a mortgage contingency which would typically give you the out. Best of luck with your situation. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

This is situation dependent and we need more information to accurately answer the question. What are the comps selling for in your neighborhood and on your neighboring streets? What is the condition of your house in relation to the recent comps? Your agent might be calling because you started out overpriced or your agent might just be a high pressure salesperson; too much missing information to tell at this point. Best of luck with your home sale. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Maggie, this completely depends on your township. Many townships let you apply for the permit after the fact and then remediate but that is not a certainty. You can call and generically ask the township what the process would be to be certain. Best of luck with your purchase. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Jose, most likely, the burden of proof would be on you to prove fraud and that the seller knew about the issue and covered it up. It is best to speak to a real estate attorney to get an understanding of your options and none of us on here can give you legal advice. Best of luck with the situation. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

The best idea is to approach your neighbor directly given the fact that you have already spoken regarding the matter. You can have an attorney and or real estate agent oversee the transaction for you. Best of luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

If you live in an HOA, this would need to be discussed at a meeting and then get the board to draft as a proposal to be voted on. Typically, if this is a public street, there is nothing wrong here. Given the exorbitant price of real estate, many communities are experiencing this. 10, 20, 30+ years ago, developers and townships did not ever imagine that condos, townhomes and single-family homes would now have multiple generations living in the property with each one owning a vehicle. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Ibrahim, given the severe disrepair of the pool, I would highly suggest getting rid of the pool as it will be seen as an eye sore. Let me know if you have any other questions and best of luck with your sale. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Good afternoon Rob. Luxury vinyl plank / hardwood in particular is not something that is "necessary," but nice flooring that does not look worn out is the most important goal. What is most appealing or seen in many of the homes in your immediate market? That should give you a good idea of the superior choice. Best of luck with the move and let me know if you have any other questions. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Andrew, this is always a personal choice but given the concern of being far away from the property, sounds like the sale option is most appropriate for your situation. Yes, you might want to keep the property if you were to ever move back, but in the interim, you have to manage the property from afar and deal with any tenant issues or hire a property manager who will take (~10% a month). Additionally, I assume you have a mortgage, so you have to factor in what the rental income will be vs the mortgage. If it is a break even, or relatively close, then one major repair can have you negative very quickly. I always tell our clients; if you are moving far away and are not built to be a landlord, sell the property; it's always less of a headache. Best of luck with your move! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

You need to contact an attorney regarding this matter, preferably one with a real estate background. Good luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

There is never an issue of bringing up a commission discussion, but do keep in mind you generally get what you pay for. Discount agents can only operate at volume to be sustainable, which means that they will not have the resources to be super active in responses and customer service. Also, if an agent is rather quick to discount their commission, I would highly question how well they are going to negotiate for you when required. Good luck with the search! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Local phone call to public works will get you all squared away. If it is Irwin PA, the phone number is: (724) 864-3100. Good luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Andrea, Here is a good guide to get you started: https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/consumer-guide-ten-questions-to-ask-a-sellers-agent Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Michelle, this is a question for a legal professional. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Miguel, yes this is true. If you co-sign on a loan with your cousin, you are both financially liable and will be held accountable should their be a default; which could impact your credit score and also at worst case, result in foreclosure. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

A proper survey is your best option here and will establish the clear boundaries. Best of luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

The most important factor to determine if it is the right time for YOU to sell is your current situation / needs. After that is determined, you can have a real estate professional give you an understanding of the market and what to expect, including expected selling price. Best of luck with the transition! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

The major difference between a traditional condo and a 55+ community is the deed restriction. When selling a condo, you have a larger pool of possible buyers vs. a 55+ community. If this is not a concern and a 55+ community works for you, then you are making the right decision. Best of luck with the search. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Good afternoon Collette! Your first step is going to speak with a mortgage professional so you can get an understanding of what you can afford and what your monthly payments will look like, along with down payment requirements and closing cost requirements. Best of luck with your search! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

This sounds like a conversation to be had with an attorney as there are too many variables for us to give you a clear answer. Did you have an agreement in writing? Did you have a dissolution agreement? Can you prove all the payments you made? These are all VERY important factors in determining your eligibility. Best of luck with your situation. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

David, I completely understand how the process can feel overwhelming, but don't stress, I got you! To find an agent, there are many websites, including this one, that have agents you can search for based on their areas of expertise or office location. Once you source those agents, you can read their reviews to get an understanding of how their past clients felt when working with them and what their positive and negative attributes were. That should be a good start for you. In regard to questions, here are some good ones to get you started: 1. Experience & Beginner Specifics "How many first-time buyers have you worked with in the last year?" "How do you help beginners navigate the process? Do you have a guide or checklist?" "How do you go about educating your clients?" 2. Communication & Availability "How often and when are you available to show homes?" "What is your preferred method of communication (text, email, phone), and how quickly do you usually respond?" "Will I be working with you directly or with a team/assistant?" (For beginners, a direct, hands-on agent is often better than being passed to an assistant) "What happens if I need to see a house immediately?" 3. Process "Can you walk me through the home buying process, step-by-step?" "How do you help buyers stand out in competitive markets?" "How do we handle inspection issues or appraisal issues?" 4. Fees & Terms "How do you get paid? What is the duration of your Buyer's Agency Agreement?" "If the seller doesn't cover your commission, how will we handle the difference?" "If I'm not satisfied, can I terminate our agreement, and is there a fee?" 5. Network "Can you recommend reputable lenders, inspectors, and handypersons?" Best of luck with your search my friend! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Ben, you do not need to contact a real estate agent prior to getting your home ready, but it could not hurt. A good start would be to focus on decluttering, deep cleaning, neutral repainting, and making minor repairs that will improve the overall perception of the property. Exterior enhancements are also beneficial such as landscaping, lighting and exterior painting if necessary. Remember, you want the buyers to stop in their tracks when they pull up or drive by. That positive shock value will result in a higher net number overall. Best of luck with the sale! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

New Jersey is the King/Queen of property taxes, so I understand the sentiment. There is no blanket answer per say, since it depends on your personal situation but selling a large home before retirement maximizes cash flow, reduces maintenance liabilities, and lowers taxes early, which can be beneficial to some. Additionally you get to take advantage of a market you are completely aware of versus an unknown market in the future. On the other hand, selling after retirement allows you to stay in a (possibly) paid-off home and avoid rushing decisions. Generally, selling before is better if you need to liquidate equity, while selling after is better if you want to avoid stress or stay in your town/community; but selling later comes at a "cost." Best of luck with your decision! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Good morning Finn! You want a desirable curb appeal that will make people want to get out of their car. A green lawn, power washed facade, siding and curb/front porch, some bright colored plants for spring, fix any obvious cracks or visible holes, paint your foundation if it is cracking, paint the front door, make sure your lights are bright and bulbs are all working for night showings, clean windows, etc. This should be a good start and won't break the bank. Best of luck with your preparation! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

You do not "need" to do all the repairs suggested, but the more move in condition and "HGTV" style the home is, the quicker it will sell. Alternatives to what you mentioned in your question would be painting the problem areas, steaming the carpets if they aren't too bad and virtual staging. Please note that these are not the ideal solutions if the agent has recommended with validity to do the previously requested. Put yourself in the buyers shoes, how would you feel walking into your house in it's current state? Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

If the primary concern is a smooth transition, you want to be under contract about 45 days or so prior to the end of your lease unless you can draw out a closing date; which typically is never over three months unless there are extenuating circumstances. A standard closing timeline is 30-60 days. Getting pre-approved is a rather short process by comparison to the buying process and many banks can have this done in hours to a few days. Housing hunting timeline will heavily be dependent on expectations and desired. Best of luck with your search! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Selling a home with a tenant presents its own challenges but it is possible. You can either sell with the current lease or offer to pay the tenants for early termination. Given there is six months left on the lease, anytime is fine unless you have weather challenges or are in a great school district. You can also always wait until the end of their term as well. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

The best ways to determine as much as possible regarding a property of interest is through a proper home inspection, township record pull, and talking to the immediate neighbors. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

This is a personal preference and there is no hard rule. There are tax implications but given you will be taking a loss most likely as you stated or there won't be any significant profit, this should not be a concern. Best of luck with the move! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

You are not obligated to go with the suggestion but if executed properly, a lower price can indeed spark a significant bidding war, but again proper execution is required from your agent. Interest has to be overwhelming, proper inquiry response, constant communication with agents, etc. Best of luck with your sale. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Selling a property mid-renovation will definitely be less appealing than a fully renovated property. Remember, buyers like buying the "HGTV" style turn-key homes rather than doing renovations on their own; primarily because they cannot afford to do renovations, and secondly, they do not want to deal with the headache. When a buyer buys a home that is completely done, all is included in their mortgage, versus purchasing a home that needs work and then they have to finance the renovations on their own, which 99% of the populus does not have. Best of luck with your sale. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Additional bedrooms tend to benefit at resale. Make sure window and closet access are both available. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

This is personal preference between the listing agent and the owner, but we communicate at a minimum, after every showing to forward the feedback from said showing. If there is none after a particular period of time, weekly check-ins occur. Initially in the process there obviously will be more frequent contacts due to all the activity but if it has been weeks, there is something wrong. We never want our client to have to "guess" what is going on. I think that is a fair expectation. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Prioritize fresh neutral paint and updated lighting fixtures over quartz countertops. Lower cost and less "custom." Additionally, if the cabinets are outdated, new countertops won't change much opinion. Focus on simple cosmetic updates that make the home feel "move-in ready" rather than extensive, personalized renovations. Best of luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

You can get a good-faith estimate to determine what position you are in. That will give you a very clear outlook. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Running the number on both the sale and rental options would be the best play here. Keep in mind, when having a mortgage, that eats into the "profit." Additionally, you need to determine if you are open to being landlords; which in my opinion is the first concern. Best of luck with your decision. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Put yourself in the buyer's shoes, would you look at a house that did not present itself in the best possible light? Photos are the first thing the potential buyer is going to see. If those are horrible, then you have a much lower chance of selling for your desired figure. And the fact that photography is so inexpensive in relation to the value these days, I have no idea why I still see some agents or homeowners doing it themselves. If I see a homeowner or agent in a bathroom photo, I know they have no idea what they are doing and can probably negotiate a great deal for my client or myself. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

The first step in this process is to speak with a lender before an agent. This way you will have a strong understanding of what you can afford and expect in the market. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Speaking with a lender would be the first step in this process. This way you will have a clear understanding of what you can afford and what to expect in the market. Best of luck with your search. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

You most likely will not recoup the complete kitchen renovation in terms of cost during resale but the home will sell much quicker. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

As long as you do not go overboard, you typically recoup the majority of a basement completion. The biggest problem to watch out for is in the quotes; #1, they will be all over the place so make sure you pay close attention; and #2, don't get lost in the "upgrades." If you are primarily doing this for future resale and enjoyment until then, throwing insane amounts of money into a small basement will ruin you. I did my basement about 15 years ago and it was 800 square feet, the quotes ranged from $10,000 to $50,000 in New Jersey; the variances were insane! Good luck with the project.

Terms are what is going to get you to the finish line. Unfortunately, that does bring additional risk, but you can minimize if you work effectively. The key here is to primarily minimize risk to the seller, therefore making your offer more appealing. A fully underwritten pre-approval, shortening closing timelines (some lenders with fully underwritten pre-approvals can be as quick as 7 business days), and waiving contingencies like appraisal or inspection. Offering higher earnest money, covering appraisal gaps, and writing personal letters can also improve competitiveness against cash. I would also say larger down payment helps as well, but given you are going with FHA I gather that is not an option. Best of luck with your search!

Yes, painting with a neutral palette significantly speeds up a home sale and can even increase the final offer price. Research from many different outlets including Zillow shows that choosing the right colors can reduce time on the market significantly. In all the markets we operate in, a perfect staged and painted home sells in a weekend.

The lowest credit score needed to buy a house is typically 500 for an FHA loan with a 10% down payment. For conventional loans, a minimum of 620 is generally required. While some government-backed loans have very low requirements, most lenders impose their own higher minimums, often requiring at least 580 to 620

An FHA loan is often better for first-time buyers with lower credit scores (as low as 500) or higher debt-to-income ratios, as they require only a 3.5% down payment and have more flexible underwriting. Conversely, a conventional loan is usually better if you have a strong credit score and can afford a higher down payment, as it offers the potential to eliminate private mortgage insurance which now is for the life of the loan and will require a refinance and the current rate at the time to eliminate.

There used to be a federal nationwide program years ago and many people still believe it exists. That was only during the downturn of the economy after the housing crisis. For your particular area, there are a few programs available for down payment assistance. Key options include the NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program, which offers low-interest mortgages and down payment assistance, and the Bridges to Homeownership Program from the Omaha Housing Authority for qualified individuals. Best of luck

Buying a fixer-upper is a viable strategy to enter a better neighborhood but there is SIGNFICANT risk. The pros are you have a lower barrier of entry, less competition for the home, and the ability to build sweat equity. It is ideal for those comfortable with renovations, but the risk of hidden costs, budget overruns, and most importantly, high stress and strain on your relationship (if applicable) tend to make the decision tough. Personally, if you do not have a handy background, I would steer clear.

Luxury vinyl plank in particular is not something that is necessary but nice flooring that does not look worn out is the most important; whether it is carpeting, hardwood, vinyl or tile.