Trulia Voices | Top 10 Questions of the Week

Got real estate questions? Our Trulia Voices real estate community has answers….

1. NRV, a home buyer in Illinois asks, “A “great time to buy” in San Ramon?? Not according to income/home price affordability fundamentals.”

Real estate pro Lance Holtman from 80138 says, “It is only a “Good time to buy” if the buyer is “ready” to buy.”

2. Ryan Burcham, a home buyer from Los Angeles posted, “I am in Los Angeles and literally the DAY BEFORE I went to put an offer on a house (short sale) I called the….”

Real estate pro Ron Deutsch from Los Angeles says, “I would try to proceed as before, through the listing agent. If the lender(s) (and seller) agree to your offer, they would most likely cancel the auction.”

3. Firsttimer, a home buyer from Alexandria asks, “When will house prices start to appreciate again?”

Real estate pro Bridget Laszlo says, “A home is a great investment. You are building equity and not throwing money away on rent so that alone you are building towards your future.”

4. Real estate pro Margo Ramsey posted, “I have a great listing, but for whatever reason, I just can’t move this home…..”

Real estate pro Gail Gladstone from Huntington says, “If it is being aggressively marketed, being shown and no offers, it is priced too high.”

5. Pam is a home buyer from Dallas and posts, “I’ve found a reo that I really love. I made an offer two weeks ago and the only information that I got back…”

Real estate pro Lynn 911 Dallas says, “Where is your real estate agent providing you advice on this matter, there are many tips and tricks on submitting bank foreclosures and securing the winning bid.”

6. Dee is a home buyer and seller from Ocoee asks, “I have had my home on the market with a Realtor/friend from Coldwell Banker sense Feb. and have only 3….”

Real estate pro Frank Biganski says, “It sound’s like your friend/Realtor didn’t mention that you are living in a state that ranks in the top 10 worst estate markets.”

7. Shawnett Jones is a home buyer and seller who wants to know, “Can’t reach my agent(sunday may be in church still) but want to see a house. Is it a problem to contact the listing agent……..?”

Real estate pro Larry Story says, “There are no problems with you looking at the home. Just make sure you tell the listing agent that you do have an agent and if possible give them their card.”

8. Amy is a home buyer from Culver City who asks, “Interested in a home in preforeclosure but not sure how to proceed…advise?”

LA real estate group said, “The way it works is we contact the owner to see if they are interested in working through a short sale to help them out of their situation. Most sellers are happy to hear they have another option other than foreclosure, especially when it a qualified buyer.”

9. L, a home buyer in Ohio said, “My husband and I recently saw a house listed we were interested in looking at.”

David M. Childress, a real estate pro in Ohio says, “The listing agent should have had you sign an Ohio required form for consumers. It explained agency in Ohio and spells out sellers agent, buyers agent and dual agent.”

10. Tom, a home buyer in San Ramon posted, “San Ramon school district situation….So I’m wondering where are those overflown kids going to?”

Sandy Shores, a real estate pro from Melbourne said, “You may want to check directly with the School Board in your county. Often all of their school information is posted on their websites.”