Jason Craig

Pre-approval is just the max the bank will lendaEUR"it doesn't mean you should spend it. A good way to find your number is to look at what you're comfortable paying now and then add in things like taxes, insurance, and maintenance. For example, in towns like Westwood and Norfolk, property taxes can easily add $600"$800 a month depending on the home, and that's on top of the mortgage. Many of my clients choose well under their approval so they can enjoy their home without feeling " house poor.aEUR?

Great question, Collin. Here's what I usually tell my clients: in the Boston area, the seller typically pays the commission, which then gets split between the buyer's agent and seller's agent. So if you're buying, you generally don't pay me directly. On the selling side, commissions can sometimes be negotiated, but it's worth keeping in mind that in a competitive market like BostonaEUR"especially with condos and multi-familiesaEUR"strong marketing and negotiation can make a big difference in your net. My approach is always to make sure the value of my work more than covers the cost, and I encourage people to have an open conversation with their agent about what services are included.

Yes, you can, Hannah! I've worked with international buyers before, and the process is very doable. There are no restrictions on foreign nationals owning property here in the U.S. The main differences are usually around financing and taxes. Many UK buyers choose to pay cash since getting a U.S. mortgage as a non-resident can be tricky, but there are lenders who specialize in it. You'll also want to set up an ITIN (tax ID) for closing and ongoing tax purposes. Since you mentioned Boston, keep in mind this is a highly competitive market, especially with condos and investment properties near universities. Having a local agent who knows the area is keyaEUR"we can help you navigate time zone differences, virtual showings, and the paperwork side of things.

Good question, Mark. You don't pay " sales taxaEUR? when you buy a home in Florida, but you will see what's called documentary stamp tax on the deed and the mortgage. On a $70,000 purchase in Volusia County, the deed doc stamps would be about $490 (it's $0.70 per $100 of the purchase price). If you take out a mortgage, there's also a small tax on the loan amount. Beyond that, you'll want to budget for property taxes and closing costs, which can vary by county. In DeLand, the average property tax rate is around 1% of the home's value, so roughly $700 annually on a $70,000 property.

Mary, that's a tough situation. In most cases in Oregon, once you've closed and the keys are in your hand, the seller isn't automatically responsible for repairs unless the system was misrepresented or hidden during inspections. That's why inspections and disclosures are such a big part of the process. If the HVAC issue wasn't caught, it usually falls on the buyeraEUR"though you may want to check your purchase contract and talk with your agent or attorney to see if there's any recourse.

Beth, not rude at all! Open houses are meant to welcome people inaEUR"whether you're buying tomorrow or just getting ideas. As an agent, I'd much rather have people walk through than sit in an empty house for two hours. Some agents may get a little disappointed if they think every visitor is a potential buyer, but that's more about expectations on their side. In Charlotte, open houses are also a great way to keep a pulse on the market, so your curiosity actually helps you stay informed. My advice: be honest about just browsing (which it sounds like you already are) and enjoy itaEUR"there's no unspoken rule against it.

Great question, Harper. Testing the waters with a private listing can work if you just want to gauge interest quietly, but it usually limits your exposure. In Nashville's market, where demand can shift neighborhood by neighborhood, the homes that get the most attention (and often the strongest offers) are the ones fully listed on MLS and syndicated out to all the big sites. With a private listing, you might get interest, but you're less likely to create the kind of competition that drives price up. If your goal is top dollar, full market exposure is usually the better route.

Stephanie, I've run into this before. Easements and setback rules can vary by subdivision, HOA, and local zoning. The best first step is to check your closing documents or plat mapaEUR"you'll usually find any easements spelled out there. Your HOA bylaws should also note setback requirements if they're different from the city's code. In Jonesboro, some neighborhoods do have 5-ft setback rules, but it's not across the board. If you're unsure, I'd suggest confirming with your HOA in writing or pulling the recorded plat at the county records office. That way you'll know exactly where you stand.

Great question, Jolene. Earnest money is basically a good-faith deposit to show you're serious about buying. In Florida, it usually goes into an escrow account until closing. If the deal closes, that money is applied toward your closing costs or down paymentaEUR"it's not extra money you lose. If the deal falls through for a reason covered in your contract (like inspection or financing), you can usually get it back. But if you back out for a reason not allowed in the contract, the seller may keep it.

Sharon, owner financing is possible in Kansas, but the way you structure it really matters. What you're describing sounds more like a private note than a traditional mortgage, and those detailsaEUR"like charging a flat " one-timeaEUR? interest versus amortized interestaEUR"can get tricky legally. In Kansas, seller-financed deals are done all the time, but they usually follow standard promissory note and mortgage/deed of trust formats to protect both sides. I'd strongly recommend sitting down with a local real estate attorney or title company to draft the paperwork so it's enforceable and clear for everyone.

Chris, having a large down payment like $110,000 definitely helps, but credit scores in the 400s will make it tough to get approved for traditional financing. Most lenders want to see at least a mid-500 score for FHA loans, and closer to 620+ for conventional. In Louisiana, I've seen buyers in your situation focus on two things: (1) working with a lender who specializes in credit-challenged borrowers, and (2) taking 6"12 months to boost scores by paying down revolving debt or clearing collections. With the size of your down payment, once your scores are up a bit, you'll be in a strong position to qualify. A good local lender can look at your exact numbers and make a game plan with you.

Todd, I'd vote " noaEUR? if you know you'll be selling in the next 5 years. A $3,000 transfer fee on top of closing costs can definitely make your unit less attractive to buyers, especially in a market like Long Beach where condos already come with HOA dues and occasional assessments. These kinds of fees are meant to build reserves for future work, but if you won't be around to benefit, you'd essentially be paying into something the next owner gets. Buyers also tend to push back on fees like this, which can hurt marketability.

Gerry, you're right to want a balance. In Dallas, pricing strategy can make or break how fast a home sells and how many offers come in. A good agent should walk you through the comparable sales in your neighborhood so you can see where their number is coming from. If it feels like they're just underpricing to move it fast, ask them to show you examples of similar homes and how long they took to sell. You haven't signed anything yet, so it's perfectly fine to get a second opinionaEUR"sometimes just seeing another agent's perspective gives you peace of mind.

Melissa, buying a home just by paying the back taxes is trickier than it sounds. In North Carolina, counties can sell tax-delinquent properties at auction, but it's not as simple as writing a check for the overdue taxes and moving in. You'd have to bid at the tax sale, and the owner usually has a redemption period where they can pay what's owed and keep the home. In Cherokee County and the Murphy area, these auctions do happen, but inventory is limited and many homes need major repairs. If you're looking for affordable housing, it might be worth talking with a local agent who knows both traditional listings and tax sale opportunities, so you see the full picture.

Mark, the good news is you don't pay sales tax when buying a home in Florida. What you will see are closing costs like documentary stamp tax on the deed (in Volusia County it's $0.70 per $100 of purchase price) and fees if you're taking out a mortgage. For example, on a $200,000 home in DeLand, deed stamps alone would run about $1,400. So no sales taxaEUR"but definitely budget for those closing costs.

Hey Shanieka " Emberhome's not what you're looking for. They don't buy propertiesaEUR"instead, they're a co-ownership platform for vacation homes. Sellers don't get paidaEUR"they're offering part-shares in luxury homes, not buying yours. I'd recommend connecting with a local agent or exploring iBuyers (like Opendoor or Offerpad) if you want a quick sale without all the listings hassle. Let me know if you want help identifying reputable local buyers or agents in your areaaEUR"they're out there and often much more straightforward to work with.

Diane, if you signed a buyer representation agreement or addendum in Rhode Island, that usually means you agreed to work with that agent for a set period of time. The details depend on the agreement itselfaEUR"some are exclusive, meaning you'd owe that agent a commission even if you bought through someone else. If you're not happy, the best move is to talk with your agent and see if they'll release you. Most good agents don't want to hold a client hostage. If you're unsure, it's worth having an attorney or the brokerage explain your specific contract so you know exactly where you stand.

Ken, when you sell a home the main tax to think about is capital gainsaEUR"federal and sometimes state. The good news is if it was your primary residence for at least two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 in gains if single, or $500,000 if married filing jointly. Indiana doesn't have a separate transfer tax like some states, but you may owe state income tax on any taxable gain. Buying another house doesn't automatically erase the taxaEUR"it's really about whether you qualify for that primary residence exclusion. A local tax pro can look at your numbers and give you exact guidance.

Genowa, in California the right of redemption usually comes up after a foreclosure sale. To buy the home back within your 90-day window, you'd generally need cash or a hard money loan, since most traditional lenders won't move that fast on a mortgage in a redemption situation. A local lender or attorney who handles foreclosure redemptions can point you to short-term financing options that let you redeem, and then you can refinance later into a regular home loan.

Hi Deborah, Even though you deeded the two parcels together, the county may still be taxing them separately until their records are updated. That's pretty common. Sometimes leaving parcels separate can actually save money on taxes, while in other cases combining them is cheaperaEUR"it really depends on how your county applies exemptions and assessments. The best step is to give the property appraiser's office in Addison a quick call and ask about a " parcel combination.aEUR? They can review your deed, explain the process, and let you know whether your taxes would go up or down if they merged them. Hope that helps clear things up!

Hi Patricia, Pricing land can feel tricky since there aren't always as many sales to compare as with houses. The best place to start is by looking at recent sales of similar land in Yazoo CountyaEUR"especially along Highway 16 or nearby roads. The county property appraiser's website and public records can give you a sense of what other parcels around your size have sold for. From there, I'd recommend reaching out to a local real estate agent who's familiar with land sales in the area. They'll be able to pull up comparable sales (we call them " compsaEUR?) and help you understand the market value, including things like road access, utilities, and zoningaEUR"all of which can affect your price. That way you'll have a realistic asking price and a smoother selling process. Hope this points you in the right direction, Patricia!

Hi Ivan, There's actually no hard limit on how often you can refinanceaEUR"it mostly comes down to whether the new loan makes financial sense after you factor in closing costs and fees. Some lenders have a " seasoningaEUR? period (usually 6 months) before they'll let you refinance again, but otherwise you can refinance whenever it benefits you. If rates drop in the future, you could absolutely refinance again. The key is to run the numbers each time: look at how much your payment drops, how long it would take to break even on the costs, and how long you plan to stay in the home. A good local lender or mortgage broker in Raleigh can help you model different scenarios so you'll know whether refinancing now or waiting makes the most sense for you.