| Subject | Date Asked |
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| 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. ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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, ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| $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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| 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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