Answers by Leonor Enguita

Not only do you need professional photos, but I would recommend a professional video as well. The photos are an invitation for Buyers to come see your home, so first impressions matter.

You get what you pay for. I don't think there are any stats to truly show if you get the same results, but in my experience, the marketing and exposure is less than what you would receive with a traditional brokerage.

There are too many unknowns in your situation so it is best to consult with a real estate attorney so they can assist you.

I am not sure what the rules are in Iowa, but I would be cautious when purchasing something that wasn't permitted. There may be a way to do a permit after the fact but it may be costly. You should call the city to see what their protocol is, and also consult with your insurance agent to see if it is insurable.

Online sources won't know if a significant improvement has been made to the home, so they will be inaccurate.

There is no guarantee you will get it back, so use caution when making costly upgrades. Also, consider average appreciation. Nationwide, we have not seen an average appreciation, therefore it is hard to tell you where the market will be in a few years. If you want to do this for your personal enjoyment, then that is another story. Spending $70k is a big gamble.

Talk to an experienced agent in your market. They will be able to tell you the value right now. No one can tell you with certainty what the value will be in a few years.

You need to ask your agent about title insurance. In some areas, the seller chooses and pays for title insurance and in others the buyer chooses and pays for title insurance. There is also Doc Stamps in Florida that are paid by the seller at closing. Your agent should be able to run a net sheet after all of your expenses, with how much you will collect after closing.

A realtor will connect you with lenders to choose from that can help you repair your credit. The first step in the home buying process is the pre-approval letter, which will come from a lender. The lender reviews your credit and job history to help pre-qualify you for a loan. If your credit needs work, they will be able to help you determine how to improve your score.

This will depend on what is outlined in the purchase contract. I highly recommend ordering a home inspection. This is your chance to perform your due diligence and uncover any issues. Your agent will tell you the types of inspections that you can order.