Answers by Melissa Wiegele

It really comes down to what you agreed to in your listing contract. Just because the buyer doesn't have their own agent doesn't automatically mean the commission drops from 6% to 3%. That being said, I would absolutely have a conversation with your agent about it! If there's no other agent involved, it's reasonable to ask how the commission is being handled and whether there's room for an adjustment. Every brokerage handles these situations a little differently, and commissions are always negotiable. I'd start by reviewing your listing agreement and having that conversation with your agent. You never know unless you ask!

I would definitely want to dig into that a little more! Five sales since 2019 would catch my attention, especially if the price is now below what the current owner paid. I'd have your agent look into the sales history and see if there's anything that stands out. I would also strongly recommend reviewing the condo documents and doing your homework on the HOA. Look at the financials, reserves, meeting minutes, any upcoming special assessments, and whether there are any ongoing issues within the association. Sometimes the issue isn't the condo itself but the association. If you have the opportunity, I'd also try talking to someone who actually lives in the building. You can learn a lot from people who deal with the day to day operations of an HOA! It could be absolutely nothing, and there may be perfectly reasonable explanations for the turnover. I wouldn't necessarily rule it out without seeing it, but I would definitely want some answers before getting too far into the process.

As an agent, I would tell you that online views and saves don't necessarily translate into serious buyers. People save homes for all kinds of reasons, including watching to see if the price drops. If you're getting that much online activity but absolutely no showings, I'd want to dig deeper into a few things. First, are we comparing your home to properties that have actually SOLD, or just what's currently listed? There's a big difference. Second, how does your home compare to the competition when it comes to photos, presentation, location, lot, and overall value? I'd also want to know how many similar homes in your area are actually getting showings and going under contract. If the entire market is slow, that's one conversation. If comparable homes are selling and yours isn't even getting tours, that's another. Pricing $10,000 to $20,000 below the competition doesn't automatically mean you're priced correctly. Buyers ultimately determine market value, and the market will tell us pretty quickly when something isn't connecting. I'd be asking your agent to look at the actual buyer activity in your price range before making any changes. A week and a half isn't necessarily a long time, but zero showings is certainly worth investigating!

A tax lien doesn't necessarily stop him from selling the house! In many cases, the lien can be paid off directly from the seller's proceeds at closing, so he wouldn't necessarily need to come up with the money beforehand. The first thing I'd recommend is having a title company look into it. They'll be able to determine exactly what the lien is for, how much is owed, and whether it's still valid. Just because it's 10 years old doesn't automatically mean it's gone away. If there's enough equity in the home to cover the lien and other closing expenses, it may be a fairly simple process. If there isn't, that's where things can get a little more complicated. I wouldn't let this discourage him from selling, but I would absolutely get the title work started early so there aren't any surprises right before closing!

Oh, that's frustrating, especially when you've already accepted a job and have a deadline to move! Before making any decisions, I would definitely dig into the HOA documents and find out exactly what the rental restrictions are. How long is the waitlist? Are there any exceptions for job relocations or financial hardships? Some associations allow temporary exceptions, but you'll want to get anything they agree to in writing. I'd also want to know when the rental cap was put in place and whether it was already part of the rules when you purchased the condo. If renting isn't going to be an option, I'd have a real estate agent put together a market analysis so you know what you could realistically sell for and how long similar condos are taking to sell. I'd also compare that to what it would cost you to carry the property while waiting for a rental opening. I wouldn't jump straight to selling, but I also wouldn't want you paying for an empty condo indefinitely without a plan. With January coming up, I'd start looking into all of this now so you have time to make the best decision financially!

First off, I'm sorry about your aunt! And yes, you can absolutely look at selling the property without replacing the septic system yourself. You just need to go into it with a plan. The biggest concern is going to be financing. Depending on the condition of the septic system and the type of loan the buyer is using, it could create issues with financing. Some lenders may require the septic to be repaired or replaced before closing, while others may have options that allow the work to be completed afterward. I would definitely disclose the septic issue upfront and have your agent price the property accordingly. You may find a buyer who's perfectly willing to take on the replacement, especially with 3 acres of land! Cash buyers may be another option, but I wouldn't automatically assume that's your only buyer pool. I'd also want to look into whether a replacement could be paid for through closing proceeds or if there are any other options available. Not having $22,000 sitting around doesn't necessarily mean you're stuck. My biggest advice would be to work with an agent who understands how to market a property that needs some work. The last thing you want is to get under contract with a buyer only to find out their financing won't allow them to purchase it in its current condition.

It really depends on what type of easement you have! Some easements have very few restrictions, while others can be a little more complicated. For example, if it's a utility easement, the utility company may have the right to remove trees, landscaping, or fencing if they need access. The good news is that having landscaping or a fence within an easement doesn't automatically mean you'll have an issue selling your home. I would recommend having your agent or you can yourself look into the easements and what restrictions, if any, come with them. The last thing you want is to get an offer on your home and then find out there's an issue that could have been addressed ahead of time. It may turn out to be absolutely nothing, but it's always better to know before you put your home on the market! Check your older title work, contact the city/county or have your agent pull new title on it to find out more.

This is actually pretty common! Just because you finished your basement without permits doesn't automatically mean you can't sell your home or that the finished space doesn't add value. The biggest thing I'd want to look into is whether the work was completed to code. In Illinois, permitting requirements can vary by municipality, and things like proper egress, ceiling height, and safety requirements can determine whether those additional rooms qualify as bedrooms. Finished basement square footage is typically reported separately from above ground square footage, and how it can be included in the listing will depend on your local MLS rules. I would absolutely make sure the unpermitted work is disclosed to potential buyers. You don't want someone finding out halfway through the transaction, or worse, after closing, that work was completed without the required permits. I'd also recommend checking with your local building department to see what options you have for getting the work approved after the fact. At the end of the day, a beautifully finished basement can still add value to your home! It's just important to be upfront about the work and make sure you're representing the space accurately when selling.

Your ages should absolutely not be a reason you're denied a mortgage! There are laws in place that protect borrowers from age discrimination, and being 58 or 60 doesn't mean you can't take out a 15 year mortgage. Lenders should be looking at your ability to repay the loan, including your income, credit, debts, and overall financial situation. If you're planning to retire during that 15 year period, they may want to look at what your income will be during retirement, but that doesn't automatically disqualify you either. I've personally helped a 93 year old client purchase his own home! Age alone should never be what stops someone from becoming a homeowner. I'd definitely have a conversation with a good lender who will give you straightforward answers about your qualifications. If one lender isn't giving you clear answers, I'd have no problem getting a second opinion!

It really depends on the rental agreement that's currently in place! In Wisconsin, inheriting a property doesn't automatically give you the right to evict the existing tenants. Their rental agreement generally carries over with the property. The first thing I'd want to know is whether they're on a month to month agreement or have a lease for a specific period of time. If they're month to month, Wisconsin generally allows you to terminate the tenancy with proper written notice, typically at least 28 days, with the termination date lining up with the end of the rental period. If they have a lease that runs for another six months or a year, you'll generally need to honor that lease unless there's a legal reason to terminate it early. I'd also want to know what your plans are for the property. Are you hoping to move into it yourself, sell it, or just no longer want to be a landlord? That may help determine your best options. I would definitely recommend reviewing the lease and speaking with a Wisconsin attorney who handles landlord and tenant matters before taking any action. I am a Wisconsin Licensee but not an attorney. There are specific legal requirements for terminating a tenancy, and you want to make sure everything is handled correctly!