Are there un-buildable lots? I have read up on a similar question but that was about how expensive the known-to-be-buildable lots are. My question is if I see a lot listed that is "virgin" vacant never had a srtucture on it, how likely is it that no one could build on it? [more inside]
posted by markhu on Dec 17, 2009 - 12 answers

So confused! My county thinks we have a condo but we thought we have a single-family home (i.e. a free-standing house on land we own). Then why does my property tax bill show that we've been taxed for the land? [more inside]
posted by ObeyScient on Nov 24, 2009 - 11 answers

How can we sell our house, when everyone is scared off by the vacant burned house next door? [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn on Nov 17, 2009 - 9 answers

Say I want to buy some cheap land in the Los Angeles area: where would I find such a listing online? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Nov 11, 2009 - 15 answers

Help me sell my house! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 1, 2009 - 15 answers

How does property line encroachment work when the two properties were owned by the same person? [more inside]
posted by zippy on Sep 28, 2009 - 12 answers

I've got some doubts about our current SoCal real estate agent. At first, there didn't seem to be a problem. But recent events have made me wonder if we're wasting his time. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 8, 2009 - 15 answers

I feel like I am constantly swinging back and forth in how I feel about buying a house in different locations. How can I make a decision? [more inside]
posted by AnnaRat on Jul 28, 2009 - 9 answers

My wife and I need to get out of our house ASAP for reasons both financial and mental-health-related. I've been told we may need to look into a short sale, but researching the process is making my head explode. What, if any, are our options? (more inside, obviously) [more inside]
posted by anthom on Apr 15, 2009 - 16 answers

Why hasn't private mortgage insurance (PMI) softened the blow of the real estate implosion? [more inside]
posted by GatorFan2000 on Apr 6, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm getting a house I inherited ready to rent out since I don't want to try and sell it in the current market. I've never been a landlord before. The house is in St. Petersburg, Florida in a desirable neighborhood. [more inside]
posted by lordrunningclam on Feb 10, 2009 - 16 answers

Is it insane to buy a house in this market? [more inside]
posted by OmieWise on Dec 30, 2008 - 17 answers

Why do realtor often put their picture on "for sale" sign?
posted by racingjs on Dec 10, 2008 - 20 answers

Just about to make our first ever offer on a house and need advice on terms...help? (lots more detail in click) [more inside]
posted by Kickstart70 on Oct 14, 2008 - 10 answers

House appraisers, building permit people, and DIYers: Just how badly did I screw us up? [more inside]
posted by GardenGal on Sep 20, 2008 - 11 answers

Radon in new home: a newly built home has tested very high for radon -- 16 in the basement and 8 on the first floor. EPA safe level is below 4. How dangerous is radon really, particularly for preschool age children, in terms of a percentage risk for developing cancer? How effective is radon remediation? What technical questions or specs should I insist on and double check? Are there any remediation methods that anyone recommends, that are particularly effective, or that would amount to overkill? Are there any remediation methods that don't work well? And good or bad side effects of radon remediation?
posted by Pastabagel on Sep 5, 2008 - 15 answers

How long in advance should I look for a house to rent? And where do I look besides Craigslist? [more inside]
posted by zompus on Aug 13, 2008 - 8 answers

How low an offer should I take for my house? [more inside]
posted by Mom on Jul 17, 2008 - 26 answers

Would you please share your recommendations for home inspectors and/or pest inspectors in or around Oakland, CA? [more inside]
posted by apostrophe on May 25, 2008 - 4 answers

Buying through Redfin - does anyone have first-hand experiences they could share? [more inside]
posted by GuyZero on Mar 26, 2008 - 3 answers

What's the downside of taking a house off the market temporarily (say, a couple of months)? My inlaws are trying to sell a house, it's taking a while, and the real estate agent suggested this so it wouldn't seem stale. Any reason not to do it?
posted by languagehat on Feb 4, 2008 - 14 answers

Should we try to sell our house in a down market? [more inside]
posted by libraryhead on Jan 17, 2008 - 36 answers

You can use your Roth IRA for your first time home purchase (up to 10k). However, you must have the account open for 5 years. How is account defined? [more inside]
posted by InvestorMD on Dec 20, 2007 - 5 answers

The appraisal came in low. Buying a house with no real estate agents involved. Offer contingent on appraisal. Re-negotiation strategies needed. [more inside]
posted by theora55 on Dec 19, 2007 - 21 answers

I'm planning on buying a house with my SO. We will contribute different amounts to the down payment and the monthly payments. How do we calculate how much of the resultant property each of us owns, especially when we don't know how the property will (or will not!) appreciate? [more inside]
posted by iknowizbirfmark on Dec 7, 2007 - 29 answers

I'm a woman, divorced, being audited by the IRS, in some credit card debt and have problems with my rental history. Should I sell my home? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 9, 2007 - 14 answers

We got absolutely screwed by the guy who sold us our house. Can you suggest some recourse? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 14, 2007 - 31 answers

Why in the world should I sell Mom's old house through an agent? [more inside]
posted by vito90 on Jul 6, 2007 - 20 answers

What should I watch out for when I sell my own home? [more inside]
posted by mikel on Apr 11, 2007 - 4 answers

Is this the worst possible time to become first-time home owners in Portland, Ore., even though we found what looks like a pretty good deal on a condo? This sort of thing scares me, but we just found a place that we like and that seems very reasonably priced. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Apr 2, 2007 - 26 answers

How can I stop caring so much about the appearance and status of my house and neighborhood? [more inside]
posted by LoriFLA on Jan 9, 2007 - 46 answers

How do we figure out whether we're financially and emotionally ready to buy our first home? We have a really good handle on what we can afford, which neighborhoods we like best, what houses are going for. We've read "Home Buying for Dummies." We've saved up an OK chunk of cash. But my husband and I are both worried, and for different reasons. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Jan 7, 2007 - 32 answers

PropertyFilter: Can a non-resident own a home in the United States? [more inside]
posted by blue_beetle on Aug 19, 2006 - 11 answers

How can I get a copy of an Illinois residential property settlement statement from 2003? [more inside]
posted by macadamiaranch on Jun 26, 2006 - 3 answers

Does it make any sense to take out a second trust deed on a house you're trying to sell? [more inside]
posted by languagehat on Jun 5, 2006 - 12 answers

Will a child face social stigma for living in a condo? [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Apr 28, 2006 - 35 answers

What are some advantages and disadvantages of buying a newly built home? [more inside]
posted by ND¢ on Feb 2, 2006 - 19 answers

RealEstateFilter: Short version: I need to sell a house in another city that I will never see. I know nothing about the process of finding a broker or selling a house. [more inside]
posted by al_fresco on Jan 25, 2006 - 6 answers

Resources to find a good realtor remotely? [more inside]
posted by Orb2069 on Nov 9, 2005 - 6 answers

Friends buying a house together. Help us keep things fair, sane and civil. [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone on Oct 6, 2005 - 13 answers

I'm interested in stories about living in apartments where something bad has happened. Apartments with gnarly histories. Murders, suicides, 'haunted' apartments, whatever. Did it affect the value? Did you learn about it only later? Did you hire an exorcist? Did a new paint job suffice? etc. Anyone have such stories, or know of such?
posted by Hobbacocka on Feb 6, 2005 - 16 answers

Having finally settled into a new job, my wife and I are beginning the process of buying our first home. We're hoping to make the process as smooth as possible.
Anyone have advice for ways to accomplish this goal? [+] [more inside]
posted by madajb on Feb 4, 2005 - 36 answers

RealEstateFilter Any recommendations for a gay-friendly community in California where three bedroom single-family houses with reliable broadband access can still be found for <$125k in a safe, good school district?
posted by nakedcodemonkey on Jul 31, 2004 - 23 answers

Any tips on selling a house? [more inside]
posted by LittleMissCranky on Jan 18, 2004 - 23 answers