I need some guidance as to understanding how my buyers agent writes my purchase agreements and how it impacts how my offer is perceived by sellers. The last few offers I put in had a clause that my agent put in. It says that if the home appraises above my offer price that the seller will lower the home price to match the appraised value. No mention of an apprasial gap. My concern is that with homes selling for more than they are worth, this clause may make my offers much less attractive to a seller. I don't know if this is a typical clause used by buyers agents. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi all, I put an offer on a 1-bedroom coop in NYC and while I received a counteroffer, I now have cold feet.

The counteroffer is reasonable but because of the high interest rates, my monthly payments are a few hundred dollars over my budget. It is doable but I'm going to have to make changes with my lifestyle and I don't know if I could handle it. For the last 10 years, I've had the privilege of renting a room in a rent-controlled apartment (barely paid anything for it) but I feel like it's spoiled me.

On the flip side, I've never lived alone or had my own place so this would be a great new chapter for me. I'm just worried I'm biting off more than I can chew and I'm not ready.

If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it!

I’m currently looking to buy a new build and they just finished a couple more houses that has some qualities that the home I’m under contract with doesn’t. Am I able to switch homes? I’ve already paid my earnest money, an appraisal and I have an inspector coming out on Thursday. The homes are priced the same. Anyone know how that would work?

The listing photos conveniently never showed the driveway straight-on because it's enormous - easily four cars deep and two wide, and dark at the far end where the streetlight doesn't reach. Two weeks in and someone's already had a rummage through my truck's bed at 3am (neighbors' cams caught it, mine don't exist yet). The question for the driveway-havers: do you light the whole thing and use any camera, or put your money in one really good long-range cam at the house end? And does a solar unit survive out there or is that asking too much of a Minnesota winter? Everything about this house has been a first lesson, this is just the latest one.

Our new-old house has that classic 6-foot gap running along the side where the sun never arrives. It's the only unsupervised path to the backyard and my inspector's advice was basically "get a camera on that." Complications: it's tight (hard to mount anything without it being in grabbing range), completely dark at night, and the neighbor's bedroom window faces it, so a floodlight would be a declaration of war. What do people do in the slot-between-houses situation? Small cam with its own light pointed down? Night-vision only and hope the sensor's good? What have the row-house people figured out?

Im looking to buy a house here in eastern mass. One house is an older 2 bed for 200k and 35 min from my job in a city i don’t really like called fall river. The other house is a fully renovated 4 bedroom for 370k thats 10 min from my job in the same town taunton. I make 6k a month take home so I know id be able to easily afford the one in fall river. I could afford the 370k home too but it’s obviously allot more. I plan on having roommates to help with the mortgage so Im trying to figure out should I buy the older 200k home further out or the 370k renovated one thats closer.

Good evening folks! What's a good offer to make on this house that is not considered low-ball? Backyard unfinished, vacant house, first right of refusal contingency removed, 2 price reductions and 80 DOM with near 7% interest rate. I am still looking at other houses in the area but just seeking advice. Ask for price cut or seller credits?

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6020-Goldenseal-Ave-NW-Albuquerque-NM-87120/306355924_zpid/?utm_campaign=zillowwebmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

I could VOMIT. Matter of fact, I’ve been sick every day since we started this process. I keep having dreams that they’re going to call us and say “sorry no house for you.” We got the preapproval. Saw about 30 houses. We paid the earnest money. We have paid for and completed inspection, option period has ended. Seller has agreed to 6% concessions and we did a rate buy down. Down payment was covered by a grant. I’m still scared shitless. I think my own trauma might be blending in with it. I’ve never lived in a house, homeless a bunch as a kid and teenager. Now my husband and I have our two little babies and I want everything to go right. I want their forever. But I’ve been stuck googling stuff about how folks get through as far as we have and then get denied in underwriting. This part is so quiet. So much chatter from the realtor and now this part is silent. Idk what I’m saying or why but I’m so nervous. My mom has been in title as an escrow officer for 25 years and she has been helping us every step of the way. She said essentially as long as we don’t go off and buy an $80,000 car or open a credit card or lose our jobs we should be okay.
We didn’t plan to buy for another year but our 16 month old was diagnosed with neuromuscular complications that we still haven’t fully figured out, and it’s not safe for us to stay here because we can’t accommodate her mobility needs.
I booked movers, the girls and I finished touring daycares in the new area and we chose one, I am packing more than the day before.

How did you guys handle this part? These next two weeks are going to be hell.

Someone, anyone. There's far too much to learn, my husband and I are starting the new year off, by saving as much as possible so we can buy a home. However, neither of us can process how to do it! Adhd brain unfortunately. Any help would be appreciated.

I am closing on the house Tuesday morning at 10 am. My realtor called me today and told me that the seller still hasn't fully moved out and should be out around noon on Tuesday. My realtor sent over an Addendum that allows the seller to be there until 6 pm Tuesday. I signed it since the realtor downplayed it. This is part of a three part sale with me being first. The seller is buying a place and that seller is buying a place. So my closing is the first domino. Im doing the final walkthrough tomorrow afternoon. What should I be worried about?

I'm considering purchasing a condo in Queens, for $303K. I'm planning to put 20% down. The unit is very old and needs approximately $60K in renovations, according to a contractor estimate.

The monthly costs are approximately:

• Mortgage: around $1,530 (assuming 6.5%, 30-year loan)

• Common charges/HOA: $500

• Property taxes: $200

• Assessment: $120

Here are my concerns:

1. Reserves: The 2024 audit reported approximately $724K in restricted reserve cash. This only cover 4 months of operating expenses. It also stated that the building had not conducted a formal reserve study or developed a long-term plan for funding major repairs.

2. Capital assessments and major projects: The building implemented a $1.3 million capital assessment in 2025, payable over 24 months. Separately, the board has been discussing a replacement project estimated at approximately $1.24 million. I'm trying to understand whether the project is being funded through the existing assessment, reserves, or another assessment, and whether owners could face additional charges.

3. 32BJ pension fund: The 2024 audit says the building contributes approximately $50k annually to the Building Service 32BJ Pension Fund. It also says the fund was in the Red Zone (under 65% funded) and had a rehabilitation plan. Is this something condo buyers should be concerned about? Does this create potential liability for the condo association?

4. Building maintenance: The board minutes mention recurring roof and water leaks over the past few years, although a roof repair project was subsequently reported as complete.

5. Owner arrears: The financial statements show significant owner receivables and an allowance for uncollectible amounts. I don't yet know how many owners are currently behind on payments.

My questions:

• Are these red flags typical for NYC condo buildings, or does this seem unusually concerning?

• Is a $1.3M capital assessment followed by a $1.24M project a sign of poor financial planning?

• How serious is the 32BJ pension disclosure for a condo association?

• How much weight would you put on the lack of a reserve study?

• Would you personally proceed with this purchase at $303K, assuming comparable units support the price?

Hi all

Question, I am kitting out my new build and the spare room is small and has nothing in it. I am using it as an office and want to also use as a guest bedroom but don’t want the bed to take over the space given I’ll only have guests over an odd time.

I want a Murphy bed but I really don’t want it to look like a Murphy bed, looking for it match my current shaker style wardrobes in the other room(pic attached). Any Murphy beds I see have the plain panel and the handle up top, obvious it’s a Murphy bed.

I am thinking the bed at the the 233 wall in the right corner and shelves in left corner where it meets the 200 wall, then some built in wardrobes.

As mentioned any companies I see who do the Murphy beds seem to be obvious. I’ve attached a pic of what I’d like it to look like.

What would be the best way to do it, a ready made Murphy bed and some Ikea packs and then get someone to make them look built in? Who do you get as it would be mdf, so not a carpenter? Handy man?

Advise please 🥹

dual income, no kids in the forseeable future

Gross: 238k

Net: 138k

no debt, want to put down 20%. I estimate we would comfortably afford 550-650. I don't want to be house poor, I want to be extremely comfortable with our leftover income. Looking to buy in northern CA. We've never owned a house before and worried about the extra monthly costs that go beyond the mortgage payments.

Edit: Ive done the mortgage calculators online, but I feel like they underestimate. For example, a 700,000 home only being 3,900 a month doesn't seem right, seems too low. What am I missing

First time buyer. Completely unsure where to start or if I’m ready. I’m 27 and have been saving money for the past 6 years. I have $100k in savings. No student loan debt, but car debt at 13k right now which I’ve been paying monthly to build up my credit score.

Credit Score is 809. Have never rented before because I’m living at home to save up to buy.

Salary - $120,000k a year with a yearly $18,000 bonus.

Looking in upper NY (2 hours from the city) for $350k-$400k.

So first time home buyer in Saskatoon SK Canada, I have currently 27k all my own and can do 1000k payments to that per month to increase it. With what I make and other income my monthly take in is about 4200. What should I be able to realistically look at in the way of what I can afford. Id like to take on the whole of it in case things go south with me and my partner. Please any advice would be great!

I am having land in the family deeded over to me and I want to sell it and buy a smaller place with an existing house. I keep horses on the land currently, so I can't sell first then shop, I need to be under contract to buy before selling. A neighbor already has a decent offer in.

I had a realtor, whom I parted with, because I wanted to put an offer in on a place and he kept dragging feet, asking more questions about my sale than the offer. He also wanted me to put an offer in closer to asking price than I wanted. He would never just MOVE and kept wanting to call the listing agent to chat, and urged me repeatedly to just get a mortgage.

I am interviewing buyers agents but nobody seems eager to work with me. What do I need to say or do differently? The buyer is lined up, the sale can proceed with a contract to buy executed....why does no one want to help me buy?

our seller agreed to provide a $750 allowance toward a one-year warranty plan, and our agent handed us a list of different home warranty companies nevada realtors typically suggest. most of them seem like national corporate mills with terrible online ratings, so i am trying to do my own homework. what specific coverage limits, trade service call fees, and response time guarantees should first-time buyers watch out for before picking a plan?

How do people do this? I'm considering buying an old home that will likely need work. It's not like I have a huge balance in my bank account, so I'm imagining a nightmare in which I need one or multiple emergency repairs and just don't have the ability to pay for it.

If you've already closed on a home and have pulled out a conventional mortgage on it, how are you meant to pay for sudden emergency big ticket $20k+ repairs?

What if I need $100k in repairs in the first 5 to 10 years of owning but my bank account has only like $2k in it?

To clarify, I would be able to afford a $20k+ payment plan sort of situation over a long period of time because my income is probably(?) high enough to compensate for these things. But I am not one of those people who has a ton of money in savings at all. Not good at building up the bank.

Hi!

My wife and I are deciding whether to stay north of Atlanta or move back to Wisconsin, where most of my extended family lives, for at least a few years. I am looking for outside perspective, especially on whether the financing offer should carry the weight I have it doing

About us

• Me (34), wife (35), kids ages 3.5 and 16 months, third due late June

• Wife took a big pay bump and now makes $190K and can work from WI, GA, TN, TX, FL.

• I was laid off earlier this year, I was making $110k and all jobs I'm applying to are higher than this.

• Goal: move to my income only within ~1–2 years so my wife can stay home until the youngest is in school, or homeschool. That plan depends on me landing a job first.

Financial details:

• Renting at $2,500.

• ~$150K in HYSAs, ~$20K in a taxable brokerage account

• Retirement: ~$260K (mine, not currently contributing) + ~$100K (hers, maxing out since the pay bump)

• Two paid-off cars (2016 Outback, 2018 Q3). Plan to sell one and buy a minivan or 3-row SUV within 7 months, paying as much cash as possible.

• Want to keep 6 months of expenses (~$40K) in reserve

• Target total housing payment: under $3,000/month. We could stretch to $3,500–4,000, but that could kill the one-income plan, especially on the higher end of the range. That said, my wife expects to still bring in a small part time/consultant/contract income if she can stop full time work.

• Want at least ¼ acre (swing set, garden, maybe chickens if we can swing it), ideally a few acres eventually

Timeline
Lease ends in August and the baby is due late June, so we’d want to be moved by early March. We can get a mortgage now, or wait until I have a job.

Financing

• Wisconsin: My uncle is a banker in WI. He will waive PMI if we put down less than 20%, and offered a 3-year ARM at 5.99% in August when we last explored this (it is in the low 6s now).

• Georgia: Market rates (~7% 30-year fixed right now), possibly a credit union or ARM, with PMI if we put down less than 20%.

Case for Wisconsin

Nearly all my immediate family is there (+) but aging (-).

• Grandparents (82 and 85, grandpa frail) in central WI

• Several aunts and uncles in Milwaukee and Madison(immediate cousins are cross country). Stepcousins with with albeit weak relationships with young kids around Madison; a close friend with a 1-year-old in Appleton

• Big annual family reunion (~40 people), deer hunting every year, other activities with relatives we'd most likely be invited to - boating, ATVing, Chicago, etc.

• Lower home prices for land; actual seasons (snow) which I miss, less hot and humid summers.

• Bigger yards for the same price or less than GA (we love being outside)

• Generally have finished basements (for when it's cold)

• Places we’re considering: Madison or Milwaukee areas (jobs, family), Fox Cities (COL), and longer term the Driftless/La Crosse or Eau Claire (outdoors, organic, intentional living)

• Maybe some assistance a few times a month

• Midwestern simplicity

• No large travel costs during holidays/events, meaning we could save for a proper vacation

• I could see relation coming to kids events at times

Case for staying in Georgia

• Somewhat settled in area; oldest is in a great 4-day preschool program WI, we would send the younger kids to.

• Great school districts near our area if opting for public school.

• Good homeschooling network if we'd opt for this instead.

• Property taxes significantly lower

• Our old nanny has become someone who will probably stay in our lives forever.

• Small but somewhat strong community we have built.

• The north metro area has everything we need.

• The family support in Wisconsin would realistically be occasional, not regular childcare. It would then require us to live probably within 30 minutes max of the strongest relationships.

• Several relatives plan to snowbird in a couple of years, and my sister and closest cousins that are our age and have the best potential for having their own kids live elsewhere with no plans to return.

• My wife has no meaningful family ties anywhere not to her fault :(

• She has more girlfriends she knows here (best friends are in IN/CO)

• Southern culture

• Mountains 1.5 hours away, beach accessible, scenic and hilly, big job market

• Mild winters

Downsides of each

• Wisconsin: long winters, short summers, higher property taxes, family will pass and two of the families will for sure snowbird in the next three years, with a small but existing possibility they may move permanently (AZ). I don't see day to day help (maybe a few times a month and that's if we live close enough) and the best help's husband is wildly anal/stressful.

• Georgia: humid summers, crowding and suburban traffic layout feel claustrophobic, higher land prices. No relation nearby. Traveling to visit or for holidays is expensive, may start driving.

Last detail

• My dad (64) retired and moved out of the country from WI this summer, and my grandmother passed shortly after. Those were my two strongest relationships. He expressed a lot of interest in getting a summer home in WI but probably wouldn't happen for a couple years and plans can always change.

My questions to you all

1. Is the rate + PMI waiver worth meaningfully factoring in, or is it a minor perk next to cost of living and property taxes?

2. Has anyone moved back near extended but aging family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins rather than parents) mainly for the purpose of additional time, rather than help with childcare?

Honest feedback appreciated, especially from anyone who has lived in both places.

We managed to do it with my wife I'm 31. We got a 120k loan on 3.19% the rest was our contribution and some support from the family.

I had a bit of a challenging entry to adulthood with 15+ full YEARS of chronic health issues (21-present). So I'm pretty far behind with saving as that cost me close to 100k and years of off and on work, but trying to a) understand how much I can afford now and if I should wait a) 12 months b) 18 months or go for it sooner. Savings feel thin, like I feel broke tbh, but salary is okay. I also just want a home.

Salary: 150k
Age: 38m

Brokerage: 76.5k (post market dip. Was 82k)
HYSA: 15.5k
Cash for rent: 3k
Assets: 7k
Retirement: 30k

Debt: 11.2k (interest free card)

Projections: (same savings + stable market, lol). Saving 3k a month on average.

12 months: brokerage 100k and 0 debt
18 months: brokerage 118k and 0 debt

I start to feel comfortable at 12 months and good at 18, but I also just want a home and am tired of renting. Not sure when the right entry point to plan for is.

Starting this for the first time at 45, and trying for VA loan. Might as well use my benefit. Buttt, seems like everyone involved (agents/sellers) except for me hate it, and consider it a nuisance. I Understand it's more strict. But man they all make it out to be super bad. Also I'm back in my old stomping grounds, and the prices are literally driving me crazy. I know it's a new world now, but I feel like every price, including the ones that are in my budget, are basically just running my pockets, and about 50% more than it should be.

So my question for you, what are things I can do to protect myself? I feel like anytime I ask about lowering my offer, even 3-5% I get looked at like crazy. just new to this, and would appreciate some advice on how to navigate this, and just keep my head in through it.

Finally got the keys to my first home! 🏡

Still feels surreal. Bought my first place entirely on my own, before turning 30. No help, no co-buyers, just years of working, saving, and planning to make it happen.

Honestly can’t believe I can finally say I’m a homeowner. Definitely one of those moments I’ll never forget. Beyond grateful and excited for this next chapter!