A Buyer’s Perspective
How to prepare to purchase a home?
How to prepare to purchase a home? Dear Phyllis, Our daughter recently graduated from college and started working. My husband and I plan to help her purchase a home and were thinking next year would be a good time to begin t...
What is sweat equity?
Have you heard the term "sweat equity"? According to Wikipedia, sweat equity is a party's contribution to a project in the form of labor, as opposed to financial equity, such as paying others to perform the task. Sweat equity has an applicatio...
Why didn’t I receive a counter offer?
Why didn’t I receive a counteroffer? Dear Phyllis, My fiancé and I made an offer on a house, but due to the condition of the economy, our offer was low. Although we would have increased our offered price, we were never gi...
When is the right time to sell your home?
It’s often difficult to determine when it is the right time to sell your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average home seller remains in their home for ten years. In 1985, it was just five years. My husband ...
Counter Offers not Required
Counter Offers not Required Dear Phyllis, I have been looking at homes for nine months. During that time we have written several offers which for various reasons weren’t accepted. The most recent offer my agent submitted was on a ho...
Competing in a Seller’s Market
Competing in a seller's market Dear Phyllis: My husband and I are beginning our search for a new home, and I have a question/concern. I understand that many homes are selling over asking price. What happens if the appraisal doesn't ma...
Buyers are feeling the rush
Buyers are feeling the rush Dear Phyllis, My son was recently divorced and has sole custody of his two girls. So that they could remain in the same school district, they have moved into my La Crescenta home. There is plenty of room, s...
Courtesy Appointments
Courtesy Appointments Dear Phyllis, Several months ago, we purchased our first home, and the seller’s agent was very difficult. Each time we wanted to view the home, we had to make appointments that were convenient for her schedule....
