Can A Seller Force You To Use Their Lender? Dear Phyllis, We have been looking at homes for several months and have already made three offers. Two of these required us to be preapproved by the seller’s lender. As we are already preapproved with a nationwide bank, I really do not see the reason for […]
What Is A Pocket Listing? Dear Phyllis, I moved out of my home and rented it a year ago. My tenant will be leaving in six months, and I was planning on moving back. In the meantime, a Realtor I am acquainted with contacted me out of the blue to tell me I could get […]
Personal Letter To Seller Dear Phyllis, We have been making offers on La Crescenta homes for the last six months. Initially, our Realtor suggested that we include a personal letter to the seller with our offer. We have one and we revise it for each home. Even with this we have been turned down on […]
Home Buying: Where To Begin? Dear Phyllis, My daughter and her husband are searching for a home on the Westside. They are overwhelmed with prices and down payment requirements. The absence of open houses has really impacted their journey and it’s been a struggle for them trying to get a feel for the real estate […]
Is Signing Online Safe? Dear Phyllis, We recently co-signed for our son to buy his first home. We haven’t been involved in a real estate sale since the purchase of our La Crescenta home 25 years ago. Our son is good with the computer but while we email and do the simple stuff that’s about […]
Ask Phyllis! Exorbitant Escrow Fees Dear Phyllis, I look forward to your column and wish it ran every week. My boyfriend and I made offers on five homes before finally getting one approved. You know in this current climate; the seller calls the shots. Even though my sister is an escrow assistant, our […]
Home Buyer Research Amid COVID Dear Phyllis, I have been enjoying your column for years. Interesting how much things have changed amid COVID. My partner and I are separating and selling our home. She has moved out and I will be residing here until it sells. I am hoping to buy another home with my […]
Finding an Out of State Realtor Dear Phyllis, My sister lived out of state and I am her executor. Because of COVID I am reluctant to travel back and forth in order to settle her estate. She has a large home that I need to sell, and I am wondering what is the simplest way […]
Purpose Of The Home Inspection Dear Phyllis, We have been looking for a home for over six months and made several offers before we got one accepted. We opened an escrow and after doing a round of inspections asked the seller for credits for the roof, foundation, heating, air, termite, sewer line, and to replace […]
Lot Line Confusion Dear Phyllis, I am the trustee of my father’s estate. This home has been in our family since it was built in the 1940’s. Many years ago, the double lot was subdivided, and my uncle given the vacant lot. My father’s home needs updating but we decided to sell it as is. […]