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Buying or Selling a Home/Questions Answered by Expert Dottie Worthington

Subject	Date Asked
new house costs	2/8/2012
Q: I just had a question about the costs of upgrading to a new house when you outgrow your current one. ... A: Some of those costs depend on where you live. The best thing for you to do is contact a Realtor and ...
Seller's Closing Costs	12/13/2011
Q: I'm thinking of selling my home in Fort Worth/Keller area. I'm just concerned about how much I'd ... A: The closing costs will depend on the type of loan your buyer is getting and what they ask you to ...
capital gain?	8/31/2011
Q: I own a house I paid $31,000 for over 15 years ago in Texas. I recently bought 10 acres (also in ... A: Ask your accountant the best way to handle that. Not sure where you are in the transaction, but you ...
Title company	2/26/2011
Q: we r buying a bank owned home. Closing is set for Monday. About 10 days ago, i asked a question to ... A: If you are buying from a bank, they are probably paying for the Title work, so they get to use the ...
septic system disclosure	1/28/2011
Q: We recently bought a home in the Houston area and with in 2 months we noticed one of our septic ... A: First thing is contact your Realtor. Who represented you? Who represented the seller? What does your ...
buy or keep renting?	12/20/2010
Q: So here is my dilemma. My husband stays home with our two young children while he works on his ... A: Now is a great time to buy a house! Best time in many years, prices have dropped and the interest ...
Buying existing home	12/13/2010
Q: I recently went to a new home builder one Saturday even. Selected a home to buy. Selling for the ... A: So sorry about your bad experience. I am not sure if the home was listed with a REALTOR or not? If ...
Texas Homestead Exemption	9/14/2010
Q: My son, age 25 bought me a house in Texas with money he inherited. There is no mortgage on the ... A: You can contact a title compnay to transfer the deed into your name or go down to your county court ...
To buy, or not to buy: that is the question.	8/9/2010
Q: I have been renting the same house for ten years in Dallas, Texas. The rent is very cheap ... A: Right now is a buyers market for the first time in years. I happen to be in the MLS that contains ...
First Time Home buyer	8/5/2010
Q: I have a rather unusual question. I went into the home buying process in April of 2010. I found a ... A: I would say ask the lender. You should be able to use the contract you had. But since this ...
Failure to Disclose	8/3/2010
Q: I just found out the house I purchased has a known defect. the previous owners signed documents that ... A: Did you have a Buyer's agent? The listing agent should have provided a Seller's Disclosure and if ...
family home	7/12/2010
Q: My mother would like to sell our family home. The home is designated to go to four siblings. It has ... A: If the home is paid for you could look into doing a reverse mortgage. They will do an appraisal ...
home real estate listing	6/2/2010
Q: I've had my home for sale on the market for over a year and I'm taking it off the market for about ... A: Lots of people have this concern. Most MLS systems keep track of properties in a way that is ...
Cash purchase title deed change during escrow	4/23/2010
Q: My mother in law offered to purchase the house we were looking at in Austin TX, originally we had ... A: Just call the title company and tell them you are assigning the contract to her. The same Title ...
Cash purchase title deed change during escrow	4/23/2010
Q: My mother in law offered to purchase the house we were looking at in Austin TX, originally we had ... A: She can close the house in her name, you just have to assign the contract to her. Providing she is ...
to sell or not to sell	4/12/2010
Q: .We own a home in Ricmond, Tx which is paid for and had been renting for the last 6/7 yrs. Now the ... A: You are paying interest on the other two loans. If you don't have the time and money to fix the home ...
advertised property	3/5/2010
Q: "If a home plus outbuildings and land is listed with a realtor, the listing is posted MLS, can the ... A: If you have a copy of the listing that was in MLS, then that should be included in the sale. The ...
Property/New home purchase	2/9/2010
Q: What are the rights (or protection laws) of a person that purchased a home soon to discover that the ... A: Ruthie: There are a lot of ifs involved here. Did you use a Realtor? Who did you buy the house ...
public offering	1/3/2010
Q: when a public offering of a real estate security must be registered under federal law, the ... A: Sec. 47-92. Qualification of real estate syndicate securities; issuance of permit. (a) All real ...
buying a home	9/3/2009
Q: I would like to prepare myself to buy a home, but would like to know some important factors when ... A: It sounds like you are reading the county tax records for home prices. That is not a good indicator. ...
Life estate	8/30/2009
Q: I was left a condo in florida as a life estate. My mother and my sister both own 50%. I would like ... A: Wow! In Texas those life estates are just that.....life. I would get an attorney to answer that ...
seller financing	8/27/2009
Q: Im interested in using the seller financing. Im not real expirienced in structuring notes for ... A: Seller financing is a great way to have steady income. I would suggest having an attorney at the ...
home investment	8/22/2009
Q: What are the factors that make a good investment when buying a house? I would like to start ... A: Most homes sell quickly that are good buys. The best thing you can do is hook up with a good REALTOR ...
Did I get ripped off on my home?	8/16/2009
Q: Heres some information on what my home was acessed at and what it was purchased for, If i got ripped ... A: Sounds like the previous assessment was for lot only. I am not sure from your notes if you are the ...
Buying Foreclosure (murphy's law version)	6/4/2009
Q: I am buying a foreclosure and everything that could go wrong has. But now it is worse. We are set to ... A: Ahhhhhh the joys of dealing with foreclosures. Do you wonder now why the mortgage companies were in ...
selling a mobile home that I have added on to.	4/12/2009
Q: I am wanting to sell my mobile home that I have added on to twice. I have a single roof over all of ... A: I am not sure if you are selling the mobile only or land and mobile. If you don't have a lien on the ...
deposit on contract	3/6/2009
Q: How much is a typical deposit on a home contract. who holds the deposit ?? A: There is not a typical deposit. It is up to the two parties to negotiate that. The reason it is ...
Buying a second home	3/3/2009
Q: I currently have an FHA home for sale, but in the meantime, I have completed another contract on a ... A: These mortgage companies make their money from the discount points. The more of a risk the more they ...
Repair Allowance	2/26/2009
Q: I got an inspection that shows repairs costing 7K-10K to get the house up to code. I gave the ... A: That is pretty much 6 of one half a dozen of the other. I don't think it hurt your chances any, you ...
Marketing in another state	2/24/2009
Q: My question is how do you advise trying to market farm/ranch property in another state or area. I ... A: Do you have it listed with a Farm & Ranch Realtor? That would be my first choice. There are lots of ...
Buyers agent Commission	2/24/2009
Q: We are a first time home buyer and do not have a buyers agent. Can we ask for the 3% sales ... A: Unless you are an expert in that field you have less negotiating power in that transaction. 98% of ...
making an offer on home	2/6/2009
Q: If the house is selling for 86k and the tax value of the property is 80k, what would be a fair offer ... A: I am not sure where you are located, but in our area, the tax value is usually under the actual ...
illegal practices by broker and realtor	1/15/2009
Q: our property is in central texas and we hired a broker after terminating our contract with our ... A: Jessica: It sounds like a mess, but you should have a listing agreement signed and a contract signed ...
buying land	12/5/2008
Q: My wife and I are interested in buying land here in Texas for Two reasons, one is for me to ... A: Land is always a good investment. Whether you put money down depends on your ability to borrow and ...
nightmare on cr 2639 help[!!!	9/20/2008
Q: I am selling my home in Caddo Mills Texas. I have a signed contract from a buyer. We signed the ... A: First question, did you have a REALTOR? 2nd question, is your contract on the home you are buying ...
breach of contract	9/17/2008
Q: My home was listed as a FSBO. Unfortunately the buyer was an attorney who bullied me and harassed ... A: First, he wouldn't be doing this if you had a REALTOR. I wouldn't pay him a commision no matter ...
contract breach	8/31/2008
Q: We reside in TX. We decided not to sell our home to a buyer. I was mislead i feel by the realtor as ... A: I can't answer that question without knowing all the details, but you should be able to get out of ...
No title	8/18/2008
Q: Howdy. I'll skip alot of the details to keep this short as possible. My Father-In-Law moved to the ... A: Yes, "as Is" has to do with condition only. Not the title. The Title is normally conveyed at ...
No title	8/15/2008
Q: Howdy. I'll skip alot of the details to keep this short as possible. My Father-In-Law moved to the ... A: Wow! I am so sorry that happened. Just another incident where a FSBO has gone bad. If a REALTOR had ...
FHA qualifications	7/26/2008
Q: Have a funny question. We have been approved for a FHA loan, found a house that is FSBO, turns out ... A: If the bank is making you an FHA loan. They are required by law to give you the guidelines. As some ...
FHA qualifications	7/24/2008
Q: Have a funny question. We have been approved for a FHA loan, found a house that is FSBO, turns out ... A: Your mortgage officer should be able to print those guidelines out for you. Ask your REALTOR, also ...
LOST MY HOUSE	7/17/2008
Q: I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE HOUSE I BID ON AND BID WAS ACCEPTED. IS BEING SOLD OUT FROM UNDER ME. ... A: If you have not signed a back up addendum, then you are not back up on anything. I believe if I was ...
LOST MY HOUSE	7/14/2008
Q: I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE HOUSE I BID ON AND BID WAS ACCEPTED. IS BEING SOLD OUT FROM UNDER ME. ... A: Nathan, I am sorry to hear this. I would be interested to know if the actual sale was in the ...
seller	7/9/2008
Q: I live in TX an my mother in-law has a house in which she bought form a independed mortgage ... A: If she bought the house from the mortgage company, then they should not be invloved in it anymore. ...
RE classes	6/25/2008
Q: I wasn't sure where to ask this question so forgive me if it's posted in the wrong area. I am ... A: Look at the TREC website and the TAR website. Or google online classes. Call the Houston Board of ...
selling a home	6/17/2008
Q: My fateher passed and I have a buyer for the home it's a cash deal what do I need for the ... A: I would call a reputable Title Company in your area. If you are the heir in charge of the estate, ...
capital gains?	6/9/2008
Q: My mother received 50 acres of raw/farm land from her employer when he died. Within the same year ... A: You will have to pay capitol gains, and if you are not sure of your tax accountant, then switch to ...
Problem with Pre-approval	5/31/2008
Q: Dottie, We live in Katy, TX, and recently decided to move to a sub-devision that has a great school ... A: First, are you making your purchase contingent upon the sale of your present home? That may help ...
Home Purchase	5/30/2008
Q: we're in the process of looking into having our dream home built in San Antonio. At first we was ... A: Sherry: I say build it! Texas is not having an off market like most of the seaboard states. It is ...
$617k bid for $5.3M property???!!!Marshall's Service Auction.	5/27/2008
Q: There has been a story in the news recently about a property being auctioned off this week by the ... A: Every home in a REO situation is different. They probably have a note for that much money on the ...
To move or not to move?	4/11/2008
Q: We bought this house in Allen, Texas in 2002. I have always spent my time cleaning up the house and ... A: You are facing one of the most common decisions in real estate. Update or move? My suggestion would ...
lease back	3/26/2008
Q: We are buying a home and will close 9 days before the seller can move and they are going to lease ... A: I would worry more about the amount for holdover. 7-10 days is almost the norm here in Texas and ...
septic tanks	1/25/2008
Q: I would like to know if there is some real problems with living out in the country where there is a ... A: I have never lived in a home that did not have a septic tank. I have never had a problem with any of ...
Who are the right fast home buyers?	12/19/2007
Q: My husband and I bought our house a year ago sept 2006 in Maryland.We are a military family and had ... A: Most of those companies that do the quick buyout will offer you .50 cents on $1. You might try ...
Houston Price Disclosures	11/24/2007
Q: I'll be moving to Houston in January and am currently looking at places online. I was under the ... A: Well Neil: That is why you need a buyers agent. The selling price of a property doesn't have to be ...
Please help !	11/2/2007
Q: I purchased my mobile home when in 1999 when I was 19 with my Dad as a co-signer. I still owe twice ... A: Sarah: That is the same trap so many people fall into when buying a mobile. I don't know how they ...
Buying a home after bankruptcy	10/7/2007
Q: Ms. Worthington: My husband and I have been discharged from our bankruptcy now a year and six ... A: I would contact a reputable mortgage company and disclose all of this. Ask them to qualify you and ...
being bullied by seller to close early	9/20/2007
Q: I have an executed contract with a builder to purchase a new townhome. We were supposed to close on ... A: Did a REALTOR write your contact for you? If so they used a form that covers all those angles. You ...
Seller backed out	9/8/2007
Q: After 3-4 offers and counter offers, the seller accepted our offer. Their agent gave a verbal ... A: Wow! That is very frustrating. Your agent should not have taken a contract tot he Title company ...
can i fire my realtor and go with another?	8/17/2007
Q: I called a realtor to show me a home three to four weeks ago and she wanted me to get pre approval ... A: If you signed a listing agreement, you should have a copy of that. Is it on MLS? Have people shown ...
firinf a realtor	7/26/2007
Q: well i live in a great town first of all where houses go on the market and sell very quickly. so ... A: I was unclear in your message if you had signed a listing contract with this Realtor. If you have ...
switching realtors	6/17/2007
Q: My husband and I saw a house we were interested in before we even considered putting our house up ... A: Sounds like a bad predicament. If you haven't signed a binding contract on the purchase, just ...
disclosure statement	5/15/2007
Q: Dottie: I am going to try to be brief and to the point, hopefully, but here goes. We live in East ... A: Unfortunately in our litigious society, anyone can sue for anything. I hope they signed the form ...
Selling a home	1/10/2007
Q: I listed my property with a realtor in the summer of 2006. The first offer that I had on the house ... A: So sorry for you! I am afraid that this has become a common thing. The mortgage company should be ...
contract	10/15/2006
Q: We are trying to sell a doublewide and have signed a contract with a realtor. can we change our mind ... A: What state are you in? Are you selling land also? You would need to read your contract and see if ...
Breaking contract with real estate broker	10/2/2006
Q: I apologize in advance for the lengthy email that is to follow, but I -do- want to convey an ... A: Wow Wendy! Without reading the contracts you signed it is hard to advise you. I would suggest either ...
Option pending	9/12/2006
Q: Can you tell me what "option pending" means? Also, i'm interested in investing in the Houston area. ... A: In Texas, the "option pending" period is a short time after the contract is pending that the buyer ...
I don't mean to be a pest...	8/25/2006
Q: Dottie. I understand that someone with a normal downpayment and a normal income might pose better ... A: Most people who owner finance, want a good credit report and a large down payment. If you don't have ...
Buying Land in Texas	8/22/2006
Q: I am interested in buying land in Texas. What are some things people often overlook when buying ... A: That is a question as big as Texas! Where are you located? Where in Texas do you want to buy? Each ...
Build to suit	7/18/2006
Q: Dottie, I currently own a small piece of property (vacant lot) in Texas. I would like to offer a ... A: I take it, this is a commercial piece? And that you do not wish to sell it? I would need to know ...
windows	7/1/2006
Q: We are getting ready to sell our home in the next year. It is about 20 years old and are going to ... A: If you are planning on selling within the next year, I owuld go with some middle of the road good ...
new realtor	3/20/2006
Q: The real estate co. I am with assigned me a realtor that I am not satisfied with (I will call her ... A: The showing of the house is completely separate from the lsiting side of the house. TR can still ...
Selling house	3/14/2006
Q: I have been trying to sell my home in Texas for almost 2 years. Is the market that stagnant? I have ... A: I am not sure where your home is located in Texas, but our market has been great. Lots of buyers do ...
Reproducible floor plans for new home?	2/3/2006
Q: Would you know where I can get floor plans for a new home that I want to build in Houston? I live ... A: There are many places you can purchase plans. Go to a book store and you can get magazines with lots ...
Real Estate Marketing	1/3/2006
Q: My wife and I are thinking about starting a small business. Our idea came about when we remembered ... A: Steve: There are many different reasons that flyers work in some areas but are a waste of money in ...
agent responsibilities / listing	12/27/2005
Q: I live in Marfa,Texas (a very cool, but very small town). I am selling my home. I signed an eclusive ... A: You could call the agent and asked to be released from your contract. If she doesn't want to do ...
New Home Purchase	12/9/2005
Q: I'm looking to buy a new home by May of 2006 in or near Humble, Texas. Do you have any advice or ... A: You have taken the first step, and that is asking for help. Buying your first home can be ...
Creating a 1031 Exchange	8/30/2005
Q: I own 2 homes which I bought as primary residences in the Virginia area, and the second home in ... A: You should contact your accountant about your particular tax bracket. You can use the rent house for ...
1st-time Home Buyer & Clueless	8/25/2005
Q: My husband and I are getting ready to buy our first home. Neither of us has any exeprience with this ... A: Brandi, you are starting off the right way. The best thing to do is call a good mortgage officer and ...
funding home purchase in Texas	8/5/2005
Q: I am the executor of my fathers estate. Does Texas allow a person to use an existing home as ... A: Check with your attorney, I don't know what state you are in, but the house in Texas you could use ...
Training in Real Estate	7/25/2005
Q: I am a licensed acupuncturist interested in learning how to buy/sell real estate...or maybe start up ... A: I know your relatives well. They have been family friends for a long time. It depends on what state ...
vacant home	7/9/2005
Q: I'm trying to find out whether the value of a home decreases significantly when a home sits vacant. ... A: Usually letting a house sit is not a good thing. But if you haven't had nay offers, there may be ...
Buying land from family member	1/23/2005
Q: When buying from a family member,in Texas by the way,how do you go about drawing up the papers and ... A: I would go into First American Title on Palo Pinto street and ask them to do it for you. They are ...
Curb Appeal	12/16/2004
Q: your answers will greatly help. What is Curb Appeal? What elements are in Curb Appeal? What can a ... A: Curb appeal is just that, how well does your home look to a buyer. Like window dressing, is it ...
Legal documentation to transfer title...	12/4/2004
Q: I own (have title to) a home that I would like to transfer to my mother and her husband. The house ... A: Mark: If you transfer the deed without a lien, then they own the property with no recourse on your ...
selling	8/21/2004
Q: You answered some questions for me last week. I have a few more maybe you can help me with. Who ... A: As a rule of thumb, whoever needs the document pays for it. If yoir bank requires a survey then you ...
selling a home	8/14/2004
Q: I Dottie, We are trying to sell a home on 2 acres, we have an individual that is very interested. ... A: Call a Title Company in your area and ask their attorney to do it for you. They won't charge much ...
First Time Home Buyers	8/7/2004
Q: My husband and I live in Texas and we would like to be first time home buyers. We have low to ... A: I don't know what town you are in or I could suggest someone maybe. Most reputable mortgage ...
sell or rent	6/28/2004
Q: My wife and I own a house in Bryan/College station Texas. We are moving and thought we could rent ... A: If you will be returning and may move back into the home then rent it, if you will need the equity ...
Who's the boss?	5/25/2004
Q: In this hypothetical situation, an owner lists a house for sale with a neighborhood broker. The ... A: This is usually in writing on the offer as to who represents who. I don't know what state you are ...
How to use a broker?	4/1/2004
Q: I currently live in the first house I have ever purchased here in Richardson, I didn't feel like the ... A: As in any situation of purchase or negotiation it is always good to have someone working for you. ...
Foreclosure auctions in Houston,TX	2/26/2004
Q: I have been looking for a home for a few months now but it definitely seems like a sellers market in ... A: You will be in the same market with the foreclosure as with any other home. Only you won't know what ...

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Dottie Worthington

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Expertise

I can answer questions on buying a home or a ranch in Texas. I have been an active broker since 1984. Realtor of the year, Board president, and I own my own real estate company in Weatherford, Texas. CRB designation. www.worthington-realestate.com

Experience

Past/Present clients
Walt Garrison
Bob Kingsley
Will Clark

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