All Forum Posts by: Lydia S.

@Cody Kahl

My simple advice would be to get your own Realtor and have them ask those questions to the listing agent.  You want your own representation as the listing agent represents the seller.

@Patrick Gray

The question should be presented to your Realtor who would know how it compares to other nearby properties and whether there are issues with the house that are deterring buyers.  Location, condition and price all matter when selling a property, so which of those are not up to par?

@Kyle Neiswender  I do not have experience in this arena, although a google search for foreclosure certificate gave me this:

A certificate of sale is issued to a buyer when she purchases a foreclosed property. Although it doesn't signify the buyer's ownership of the property, a certificate of sale entitles the buyer to receive the title or deed.

Others should chime in for better information.  

A listing agent really should not have a property listed on the market unless it's ready to change hands/ ownership details are established, however that may differ with REO's.

@Kyle Neiswender  can you elaborate on why you say you feel you have an agreement if you have signed the documents but the seller hasn’t?  If they haven’t signed, you do not have an executed agreement i.e. you only have an unaccepted offer.

Depending on the contract, sounds like the buyer missed a deadline and deal is terminated.  Send them a termination agreement and get it signed and carry on.

@Tricia O'Brien

Does the local police department website have a crime stats link?  Or try neighborhoodScout dot com or citydata dot com.  Google crime stats for your location of interest and see what sites pop up.

@Peter Murphy

HOA dues are not factored into a mortgage and are paid separately, so they shouldn't cost you more than whatever the HOA charges. Of course their fees are subject to change in the future and perhaps recently saw an increase.

@Dan Strandberg

Unless the process is different there, the inspection should include identifying the type of septic tank and drain field/system; evacuation; checking for cracks/roots/deterioration; type of material tank is made of; if it’s level; size of the tank- is it large enough for the number of bedrooms; whether it closes properly; whether water run through it drains properly; that the ‘hatch’ closes properly; setbacks from the home/boundary etc; and whether both septic and drainage meet any existing regulations.

Hope this helps!

Hi @Mary Jay

Can you elaborate a bit- did you have the properties under contract?  Were you coming to attend inspections?

Sounds like your realtor did as you asked but the seller side didn’t.  If it was just to view a property without being under contract, it could be conceivable that a seller wasn’t willing to go through the expense of utility hookups just for showings.

@Eileen D.

I totally agree with the above post and wanted to add that showing a home with tenants requires a 24 hour notice, which can significantly impact whether a realtor will take their clients to see it.  Imagine if buyers ask their realtor to show them 5 houses later today, and one of them needs 24 hours notice- that one is now off the list and unless it’s a fantastic house/ location/ deal, probably will not be considered for a visit next time.  Plus the buyers may find a great home out of the 4 they just saw.

Tenants are not invested in your house selling and frequently don’t keep it in ‘show-ready’ condition during showings either.  I have seen some pretty smelly and dirty houses that were tenant-occupied, and that turns off most buyers during showings.