Answers by Patricia Billings Malone

I recommend asking a roofer not a Realtor. We are not experts in that field.

I always recommend changing the locks to your new house or for your new tenant. If you got a home warranty they usually cover changing to new locks.

Hi Darren, Absolutely, like most other things there is fraud in real estate. Biggest one I am aware of is the email fraud. Never ever believe an email that your escrow company is changing the routing number to wire your funds without speaking directly to the escrow officer. Escrow will always confirm the bank account that you want it wired to right before escrow closes. Also, never sign the Title paperwork over to someone else. Ask a real estate attorney or a Realtor that you can trust before you sign any documents. People get tricked into signing over the documents and then their home is gone. Also, to do a loan modification noone is allowed to charge you. Do not pay anyone upfront to do a loan modification. This is illegal in California.

I have had Buyers not want to buy homes with solar and I have had Buyers not want to buy a home without solar. I have Sellers who love having solar. The best thing you can do is shop the Solar company and be sure to get the right number of panels. I have seen leases from $75 to $250 a month with Solar. It can make it difficult on the Buyer if you lease them because they will have to qualify for the lease as well. No straight answer. I would say if you see the value, do it for you, not the next Buyer.