Marine Janikyan

You have several options for seeing a home you're interested in. If the property has a scheduled open house, you can simply attend during the posted timeaEUR"no appointment or realtor is required. You can also contact the listing agent directly to schedule a private showing; they will meet you at the home and walk you through it. Another option is to work with your own realtor, who can schedule showings for this home and others you may want to see while also representing your best interests throughout the process, especially during negotiations. There is typically no upfront cost to work with a buyer's agent. In many cases, the commission is negotiated with the seller and paid from the proceeds of the sale. Before touring homes, you will usually sign a buyer representation agreement outlining how the buyer's agent is compensated, though many agents are still ultimately paid through the seller. I'd be happy to schedule a free buyer consultation to go over the details and answer any additional questions you may have. dY~S

No, you do not have to pay more if the home appraises for more than your offer. When you get a mortgage, your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the property is worth at least what they're lending you. If the appraisal is more than your purchase price, the lender is happy. If the appraisal is lower than your purchase price, that's when problems can happen. When the appraisal is higher than your offer, this is good news for you. If your contract price is $500,000 and the property appraises $530,000, it means you have instant equity and you still pay $500,000. The seller cannot raise the price after accepting your offer. If your contract price is $500,000 and the property appraises at $470,000, due to the discrepancy in the appraised value being lower than the contract price, the $30,000 needs to be addressed. Either by renegotiating the contract price with the seller, bringing in extra cash, or walking away from the property (depending on your appraisal contingency). All in all, if the seller already accepted your offer and the home appraises higher, you simply proceed at the agreed price. No extra payment required. It's the best-case scenario for a buyer.

With a fixed rate mortgage, your payments are predictable, and you have protection if your interest rates rise in the future. Less financial uncertainty and often times preferable for homeowners who may stay in the property for many years. The disadvantage to this is that the rates are typically higher than ARM rates. An ARM starts with a fixed introductory rate and then adjusts periodically based on market rates. You potentially ave during your introductory period and it definitely makes sense if you plan on refinancing after that time period or selling. If the ARM rate is substantially lower and you're certain you won't keep the loan beyond the introductory period, ARM may provide a significant amount of savings. If you are not comfortable with the uncertainty of what the interest rates will look like after your introductory period, then a fixed rate might be the best option for you.

In many cases, no. While lower commissions sound appealing, sellers should understand why an agent is discounting their fee. Agents reduce their commission because they're competing aggressively for listings and want to secure the business. If an agent is earning significantly less on a transaction, they may not be willing or able to invest the same amount of time, effort, and marketing dollars into selling the home. Professional photography, staging consultations, digital advertising, open houses, agent networking, and consistent follow-up all cost time and money. That's not to say every discount agent provides poor service, but sellers should carefully compare what is actually included. The key question isn't just what the commission is, it's what level of service, marketing exposure, and expertise you're receiving in return. You get what you pay for. A lower fee may save money upfront, but if it results in less marketing, weaker negotiation, or a lower sale price, the savings can quickly disappear.

I've had buyers in the past pass up on properties because there was wildlife present. Coyotes roaming around the streets. Not directly in their backyard, but on the streets in front of the party. It is so common here in LA and whether you buy a house on the mountaintop or somewhere flat, you will still see coyotes looking for food, especially during the evening hours.