I have been trying to buy a house in the inner-west in Sydney, Australia for several months. Contrary to what's going on in the rest of the world, Oz houses are effing crazy high and have jumped between $20-$100k (esp in my area) in the past year. I have found a good house for a price I can do - but it's on a fairly busy road. Would you want to go to there? [more inside]
posted by mooza on Oct 13, 2009 - 20 answers

Buying my first house: Who benefits from the over appraisal? [more inside]
posted by will wait 4 tanjents on Sep 6, 2009 - 18 answers

How do we make the most strategically sound offer on a house, and how to best estimate the monthly costs (mortgage+taxes+insurance+PMI)? [more inside]
posted by whatgorilla on Mar 29, 2009 - 13 answers

What the heck is a "Schedule A" in real estate? [more inside]
posted by crazylegs on Jul 23, 2008 - 4 answers

I will be vacating my house for a few months over the winter. Aside from some house plants there will be nothing organic in the house to worry about. I was planning on turning the heat down to near 40. The house is not particularly well insulated so, if we get a serious cold snap,which is entirely likely,I would like to be prepared. I was thinking of turning off the water from the basement so the pipes will be empty,therefore not freeze. Is there any danger in this? Have you any other suggestions?
posted by citybuddha on Jan 2, 2008 - 4 answers

What is involved in running for a seat in the House? Right now there is an uncontested seat in my district, (AR-03) Arkansas, going to Boozman (R). He has a lot of financial backing and and a solid religious support base but he is also batshit insane. I am a 32 year old network/computer specialist that works for the university with no previous political experience, I am pretty good organizer and a fair public speaker and would do well on web activism. but I am not sure if this would even make a difference in a real congressional race as I have no $$$, if there was another candidate I would support them, but this guy is running unopposed so somebody should do something!
posted by los pijamas del gato on Mar 21, 2006 - 24 answers