Ask Phyllis! What Is Escrow? Dear Phyllis, I bought my La Crescenta property many years ago from my cousin and we did not use a Realtor® and I don’t remember using an escrow company. My daughter and her fiancé are buying a home and have opened escrow. What does escrow do? Thank you, Just Curious […]
Ask Phyllis! Appraised Value vs. Realtor’s Value Dear Phyllis, I really enjoy your column and hope you can clarify something for me. Earlier this year I refinanced my mortgage. And now my employer has offered me a promotion if I relocate out of state. I contacted the real estate agent that sold me […]
Ask Phyllis! How To Get An Offer Accepted Dear Phyllis, We have been looking at houses for over seven months. We have made offers on five different houses, but still can’t get an offer accepted. Our agent just keeps telling us it’s a tough market for buyers and to be patient. We spend […]
Ask Phyllis! Trustee’s Due Diligence Dear Phyllis, I am the trustee of my uncle’s estate and my two sisters and I are the beneficiaries. My sister works for a property management company and her boss highly recommended a very well-known local Realtor®. He is very knowledgeable about trusts and has provided me with references from […]
Ask Phyllis! How To Simultaneously Buy And Sell Dear Phyllis, I am seeking advice on buying and selling in this crazy market. We know we can sell our home quickly as the homes in our neighborhood immediately sell and usually over the asking price. Last month, we found a home we really loved […]
Ask Phyllis! Zillow and their Zestimate Dear Phyllis, I am a long time reader of your real estate column and don’t believe you have discussed Zillow and their “zestimates”. Every so often, I check our La Canada home’s value on Zillow and don’t understand the wild fluctuations in value. Last week my “Zestimate” […]
Ask Phyllis! Dog Dilemma Dear Phyllis, Because I have two large dogs I need to leave the house with them before agents use the lockbox. My home has been listed for 4 weeks and because I have to leave the house with the dogs for each showing this has been difficult. It’s hot and […]
Ask Phyllis! Multiple Offer Snafu Dear Phyllis, I enjoy reading your question and answers. My son and daughter-in-law have been looking at homes for two months. It’s been difficult for them, because most of the homes are snapped up quickly. They just lost a home they loved and we are all still confused. This is […]
Ask Phyllis! Planning My Sale Dear Phyllis, My youngest child graduates high school next year and will be going off to college. My husband and I plan to sell our La Canada home and move to a Pasadena condo. We are in a position to buy the condo without selling our home, but wouldn’t want […]
Ask Phyllis! When Is The Buyer’s Deposit At Risk Dear Phyllis, I am helping my aunt sell her La Crescenta home so she can move closer to my sister who lives in Oregon. Her neighbor is a semi-retired Realtor® and offered to list her home for a discounted commission. Her home sold and everything moved […]