Jessica Owen

Hello Kathy! There are some zero down programs available. The most popular is VA. If you are a veteran, you may qualify for this option. Another zero down loan program is USDA, but this applies only to more rural properties. Lastly, if you qualify, there are some grants available to first time home buyers to cover your down payment. Low payments... that just depends on the total cost of the home. I would be happy to help further. I think your first step is to chat with a lender to see what you qualify for then we can go from there. :)

I am sorry to hear that your agent was awful. In Texas, the seller typically does not receive a copy of the appraisal report so you would not necessarily know if the home appraised higher than the sales price. It will not change the contract price if it comes in high. If the appraisal comes in low, you would be informed and in that case things may need to be renegotiated. Again, this is Texas real estate, but I assume that it is probably similar everywhere in this regard.

In most cases, discount agents do not offer as much as full price agents. Great marketing, photography, signs, print materials, etc are not cheap and on top of that, we are motivated by our income- that is how we take care of our family after all- so knowing that my clients are paying me well motivates me to go above and beyond for them in all aspects. However, I do know some discount agents that work very hard. I think you would just need to interview them and make a decision based on how you feel after, and make sure to read the fine print. Sometimes discount agents have hidden fees that make up for the gap in commission. Good luck with your sale!

It costs nothing to list it (in most cases), but to sell it you will likely pay a broker fee at closing and some costs associated with the terms of the contract such as title insurance, survey, repairs, etc. There is no set pricing standard and it is not regulated by NAR, however it is safe to say that broker listing fees average 5-7 percent. It is usually paid by the seller and split between the selling broker and listing broker evenly but not always. Aside from the previously discussed fees, you might pay for some other items but this would need to be a discussion with your agent.

Are you working with an agent? If so, their pricing strategy is likely your best bet. However, in my opinion, it sounds like it was over priced to begin with. The market is also shifting and houses are sitting longer and that in inevitable. I do not think it is bad to drop to often, to keep interest and to stay top of mind but it should not be the ONLY marketing strategy your agent is using to get your home sold.