Recently I received a letter from a reader who asked if having a tall water tower about 1,000 feet from his house would hurt his home's market value. By coincidence, a few days later I saw an appraiser friend at the local post office so I confronted him with that question.

"It sure won't help a home's market value," was his reply. Then, being an experienced appraiser, he reminded me the water tower is called "functional obsolescence." That means it is a material fact that is virtually impossible to eliminate but has a significant impact on market value.

Functional obsolescence factors,...Read More >>

It's not uncommon for buyers to look for six months or more before finding the right house or condo to buy. Sometimes, it takes even longer if listings are in short supply. Lucky are the home buyers who find a great property that suits their needs soon after they start their search. But, finding the right property earlier than anticipated can pose a problem for some buyers.

Common concerns are: Have I looked long enough to understand the local market and the range of housing options available? Could there be another, even better listing on the market, perhaps at a...Read More >>

If you're thinking of purchasing a newly-constructed home, you should first consider a variety of important factors. Many home buyers want brand-new homes because they're energy-efficient and offer the opportunity to choose specific design features. However, without the proper research, you may find your new home doesn't measure up to the specifications you desired.

Research the Builder

The first thing you should do is thoroughly investigate the builder. If possible, locate other homeowners who have purchased one of the builder's homes. Make sure you talk to people who have had homes recently built, as well homeowners who bought in the past....Read More >>

It's easy to assume that negotiating is adversarial. You, the buyer, are on one side -- the side that wants to buy a property for the lowest price possible. The opposition on the other side is the seller who wants to sell for the highest price possible. You're locked in a tug of war to see which side will win.

It's more productive to look at a negotiation as a problem-solving process. You and the seller may have different ideas about what price the property should sell for. However, you're united in a common goal of consummating a deal. The challenge...Read More >>

As the property market cools down, it becomes a good time for property buyers. If you don’t have that much money to spend on a house, but you’re absolutely convinced that it’s the right time for you to move (or if you’ve found an intriguing investment property) then you need to learn how to make a lowball offer — and get it accepted. Generally, a lowball offer is 10% or more below list price.

First and foremost, learn what types of properties you’re looking for in terms of both the house and the seller.

The House

The properties you’re interested in have been...Read More >>