I'm new & ignorant to buying and currently live in a town of 3000 in Arkansas.
I recently became interested in a property, 2228 sf house built in 1985, on a normal size lot, for $114,900.
Within a lot or two, there is an abandoned house, a foreclosure, a junk man's dream, a commercial store, as well as a couple well kept homes.
The entire town runs the gamut from totally worthless to million dollar estates.
There is no decent shopping within 30 miles and no hospital/emergency facilities any closer, yet the agent describes this town as a "hot" market. And, indeed, it is growing, unlike many small towns around.
New construction goes for about $60 to $70 sf.
With the housing market down, foreclosures rampant, financial institutions going under, loans tight, etc, etc, etc, how can I successfully argue that this property is priced too high at $114,900?
My first offer of $50,000 was turned down because, "they owe more than that on their mortgage."
With every property in town within a few blocks of junk property, how can I determine how much a property is worth?
Financing is not a problem for me, as I plan to pay cash, but I certainly want to keep the price as low as possible.

I forgot to mention, not that it really matters, but, the real estate agency agent I spoke to doesn't have an office in this "hot" market. Neither, does any real estate office have an office here.

The seller likely knows that the house is priced to high. They owe more than the 50K you offered and are unable to bring cash to the table at closing. That is where the problem lies. Unless you can offer enough to pay off the mortgage they can't sell.

Since you have no "local agent" you will have to find an agent that services your area. Asked some of the Town folk for recomendations, or perhaps there is agent here that can help? I'd help you but im in Ohio.

Thank you for your reply!

The question was, how can I determine how much the property is worth?

I don't want to pay more than its worth simply because they owe more.

Sure, if they owe more than $50,000, it's probably worth more than $50,000, but, in today's market, how can I convince them of its true worth vs what they think it's worth or what they simply want to get out of it? I'm willing to pay more than $50,000 if it's worth more than $50,000, but if it is worth less than they owe, they will have to take the loss or make a profit at someone else's expense.

I can't really tell from the outside, but I believe they may have moved already.

Have you looked up that Tax Appraisal Value on the CAD website? If not I would start there, but remember that is not the actual Appraisal Value that a lender would use, just the taxation value - but its a start.

Thank you for your reply!
I have not been to the court house yet, but I located this information through an online search company (bad decision, I know).

Assessed Value: $15,260
Land Value: $1,580
Improvement Value: $13,680

Does this information have any real meaning?

I missed "Who" the Respondent was in this. Is the property Listed, or is it a FSBO ? How did you become aware of it. Who set the Asking Price ?

How motivated to sell are the Owners ? Would a Formal Appraisal be persuasive ? . . . . If you paid for it ?

Clearly, they want some "Walking away Money". If you knew what they still owed, you might offer $5000 plus the balance on their Mortgage (or all monetary encumbrances); provided that the Property appraises for at least that Sum . Where is there an Objective Appraiser who knows the area ? Thirty miles away, and he's their Second Cousin ? Jimmy Bob over in White Water.

Someone is the Assessors Office might be able to tell you what the current Assessment Ratio is in that Town; so that you can calculate the aggregate relationship between Assessed Values and recent Fair Market Sales in the area; if they have such a calculation. An A/R is dynamically calculated so that every Sale is compared against its Assessment to ascertain how far off Assessments are from Fair Market. Its a good number when looking at properties overall; but lacks validity when applied to just one in a Township.

If your Target Property is Assessed at $15,260 (as you discovered), and let's say the A/R is 25%, then theoretically, the Property has a FMV of $61040. It sounds like this Territory has let their Assessments get way behind. Ask the Assessor when the last time the Target Property was Inspected or Assessed. If it's more than 10 years ago, the numbers are worthless.

And, Thank you for your reply!
Their real estate agent told me that.
She told me the property appraised above the $114,900 they are asking.
I figure appraisals, like tax assessments, can vary depending on who it's done for and whether they are "personable" people, rather than strict objectivity.

Any guess on their motivation is just that, a guess.

Right! In this county, the population is so small, everybody is related to or knows somebody who is related to somebody, or some close proximity to that.

It's not the old inter-marriage fallacy, but it is a farm community thing. Even I have many relatives here. (None of which were related before marriage, unless born into it.) I'm not making a joke. Just heading it off before it goes in that direction.

Did that Real Estate Agent by chance tell you how long ago that "Appraisal" was performed ? If it was more than 3 years ago, that too is worthless. The Market was on a positive incline. That has changed. It is now a declining curve.

If you know who the Appraiser was, you might be able to make a telephone call and simply ask what he thinks has happened to property values in that area since MM/DD/YY (the date of his/her Appraisal). He may refuse to offer you a quick (free) opinion. Does he think a Summer, 2008 would produce remarkably different results ?

What was the purpose of the prior Appraisal ?

I hope this isn't the only property that you might consider in this Local. Most of what you learn will have applicability to everything else !

How far away are these Current Owners moving ?

P.S. I just entered the Arkansas State Lottery. It pays $3,000,000 annualized over One Million years. I'll be getting $3.00 every year for a Million years !

She said the appraisal was done last year and I do not know the reason it was done.

I don't know who did the appraisal.

It isn't the only property I will consider. In fact, I may decide I don't want to live here at all, but it's in the realm of possibility, so, I look.

I'm not real sure who the actual owners are or where they might be moving to. The address is listed to one family in Reverse Lookup and another was listed on the form from the online search company (whom I do not trust, btw.)

On the ballot this November will be the Arkansas State Lottery :=)
I think most state lotteries go to funding public schools, but this one is purported to be used to fund scholarships only.
I wonder if it will work any better than other lotteries?

Thank you for you time!

Quarter- It seems you like doing things the hard way...

The easy answer is GET A BROKER to help you out. I did not say a NEWBIE/AGENT you need someone with experience.

My clients are always amazed at how much faster I get things accomplished then they will. That appraisal from last year means nothing! People that pay for appraisals the appraiser will just HIT a number to make the seller happy and collect there check.

Appraisals for loan lending purposes are totally different.

Experience and knowledge will help you achieve your goals faster. I have investors that I help make alot of money and then I have OTHERS who want to do everything themselves. I simply do not work with those people. They are usually still scratching there head months later trying to find a deal.

Is a broker an agent with experience?

How do I know a broker when I see one?

So why do you think that the property is over the market value? Have you ever run a comp based on recent sales? The will turn your offer down if they own more to the bank than you offer, because at this point hey have to go after short sale. So call the closest broker around to help you. This is my advice.

No, I haven't done a comp based on recent sales, but read the first post. I have done visual comparisons of adjacent properties, which is supposed to affect property values, I understand.

The house is empty and "They owe more than I offered" is a line told to me by the agent, as far as I know.
I'm dealing with real estate agents. How would one know what spoken word was true and what word was a lie?

But, why should the fact that they owe money concern me? Many people are selling at a loss or being foreclosed on, right?
I'll sell you my used car for $100,000 and I still owe money on it. That way, I can meet his price.

And, I still don't know how to tell a broker from an agent.

I don't expect any good information from this site.

It's for agents by agents, isn't it?

"I don't expect any good information from this site."


With that attitude you are setting up yourself for failure.

In most states a BROKER has more experience and knowledge than an agent. Now there are some top producer agents who are not brokers who are very good.

Your problems you are currently having is from inexperience. Think of it this way is you are buying only one property and I do many transactions a year I will know how to run circles around you. I will have already experienced many of the pitfalls and made adjustments on my next transactions.

Usually your state has a real estate commmission website. You want to check for years in real estate,there field of expertise,and closing volume.

I would delete everything I've said, if I could; but I will ignore your comments so they won't jaundice my opinion of the next person who comes here seeking free advice.

You're entitled to a Full Refund. Good Bye !

Thank you both for your replies, but I already said I didn't expect any help from this site.
If it was forthcoming, it would have been posted already.

I don't doubt you all could run circles around me.

I'm sure the agent I spoke to could run circles around me.

That's not the point.

The whole point is how to offer a man a fair price and get a fair deal in the process.

I'm not in the market to make a killing.

Of course, I know, regardless of what "they" say the market is doing, the bottom line is what the seller will sell for and what the buyer will pay and this market seems to ignore the 'rules'. Maybe because they can; maybe because they have to.

But, all that having been said, you two can't ignore the fact that I have received zero help since I signed on, right?

You've gotten solid advice but don't realize it. Hire an experienced appraiser. Someone familiar with that area. That is what bank's do. If you don't trust the opinion of an experienced professional (the experienced appraiser you hire), you should pass on this property and let someone else buy it. Good luck.

Thank you!

You can ask them to show you how much they owe to the bank, but a lot of people can't sell their houses because they owe more than their house cost even they paying all of their payments on time, especially since the market has been declining. I don't think that that agent is lieing to you.

Quarter,

It seems to me that the free advice you have recvd is good. I will add some comments that may help you, since you may not be receiving or want any more.

First, in layman's terms an agent is a liscensed real estate affiliate that is working as an independent contractor for a broker and representing a buyer or seller. A broker is typically the owner or principle liscensed agent of the firm in which the "agent" is liscensed under.

Second, the seller's agent is representing the seller. The seller's agent can work for both parties as a dual or transaction broker or as state law mandates. However, as somene pointed out earlier, you are doing a lot of the work without the resources that may be available and it may be advisable to have an agent help you out.

It is customary in Memphis for the seller to pay commissions on the sell of the property. So, why would you not look for someone to represent you as the buyer? The buyers agent spends his own time, money and diligence in order to satisfy (you) the client to find the properties that may work for you. They then spend time, gas and office supplies to accommadate the buyer. The buyer's rep after doing comparables, making and bringing to fruitation an offer into a contract in your best interest, will also set inspection dates, closing dates and what's neccessary for you to have a smooth close on a property. When the sell is finalized, the buyers agent gets paid typically after the settlement and broker fees are paid by the seller. So again, why wouldn't you want someone to represent you as a buyer?

If you would like me to refer someone in your area or can be of further help let me know by pm, phone (901)834-7475 or on this forum.

Lisa

Thank you for your reply.

As much as it doesn't sound like it, I do appreciate all comments.

What I want to do, while I am looking is find out:
1. how can I successfully argue that this property is priced too high?
2. how can I determine how much a property is worth?
(From my Original Post)

People here apparently haven't heard that the market is down or that adjacent properties affect the price they will receive.

And, that includes the seller's agent.

I do want to do a bit of my own homework before calling in the experts .... I just need to know how ... and no, no one has even tried to tell me how to successfully do that.

The attitude seems to be that I am trying to take money out of their pocket, and I am, but only to the point of an informed, fair market price.

If you or anybody receives 10% of the fair market value for all your hard work, that's great!
But, in my Original Post, 10% (or whatever) of an inflated $114,900.00 is out of the question.

I wouldn't expect to sell my car for $100,000.00 because it isn't worth it.
I don't expect to pay $114,900.00 for that house because it isn't worth it.

Now, he may be able to hold out and one day, someone may meet his asking price .... that's great, too!

But, I can rest easy in the knowledge that I did NOT pay $50,000 more than I should have.

Make any sense?

Go to the title company and research records on area sales, and then compare the features of those properties, and then make minus and plus cost adjustments to account for the variable differences among the comps, and then factor in population and growth trends for your area and the economic livelihood of the area, and adjust for progression and regression in the neighborhood.

Or

Figure the value of the land and then have a general contractor tell you how much it will cost to build a comparable home new, and then subtract out depreciation, making any allowances for the economic life of capital improvements made at different dates.

Or

Gather data on the gross rent multipliers for your area and then multiply what the property you are considering buying would rent for by that multiplier.

It's as easy as that.

I can understand that you are completely frustrated with the fact that the seller does not take your word that the property is worth much less than the listing price based on your drive-by of the area.

What is the most you would pay for the property with no regrets? Why don't you offer that amount? If it's accepted, you'll have a deal. If not, at least you tried your best.

Touche, Cave Man!

I'd hire you in a minute!

I did make an offer of $50,000 which was countered, the agent said, with $114,900.

I don't think I can do any of that ..... is that your point?

So you made an offer of 50,000 for a property they countered at 114,900??

You haven't been watching those late night TV infommercials have you??

Are you trying to flip the property,rent it out,or live in yourself?

To answer your other question it comes down to market knowledge. In my market I know what the values are,the right questions to ask to determine motivation,and what the appreciation trends are for the area.


Why don't you just call a broker to give you th emost recent solds for that street??? If you don't want to do that check the tax records and recording dates.

It just seems if you want to do everything yourself just go to school and get your agent's liscense.

Knowone on here is going to write a book on determining value.

Yes, the home is on the market for $114,900 and I offered $50,000.
Yes, his agent/broker said he counter offered $114,900.
His agent/broker said it was appraised at more than $114,900.
His agent/broker said he owed more than $50,000 on it.
No, I haven't watched those infomercials.
I would live in it. So, you think I can I get a better counter offer if I would tell them I plan to rent it out or flip it? Makes no sense to me, but OK. Is it required to declare my plans to the seller's agent/broker? Come to think of it, though, his agent/broker never did ask.

I just can't figure out why it never occured to me to call a real estate office agent/broker and trust them 100%.

Sometimes you just miss the obvious, I guess.

Truly I say unto you, you are wasting your time and ours with your questions and comments.

It is clear from your comments and sarcasm that you don't trust agents/brokers/appraisers or any real estate professional. You don't want to hire an expert because you don't trust experts. You trust your own opinion. So you want to make your own valuation, yet you don't know how to do it, and so you want some real estate professional to help you -- but darn if those aren't the very people you don't trust and would rather insult.

There's no point in carrying on any further dialogue in this forum on this topic. You haven't appreciated any comments or advice given out and that won't change.

Since your best offer was not successful, it is time for you to shop elsewhere for a home and probably a good time for you to post messages elsewhere. You would just be wasting your time and ours with any more questions.

I have insulted no one.

However, I can say, if the shoe fits and let it go at that.

Sure, I would likt to know how to know these things, but I don't expect to receive that information here.

Let me tell you a little story: A man tried to sell his almost new home FSBO for $80,000. He wasn't successful.
He contacted an agent/broker who put it on the market for $89,000.00. HER price; not his.
A lady had a small shop she wanted $20,000 for. This same agent/broker insisted it be listed for $30,000.
The house sold; the shop didn't. (I'm not privy to the final sale price on the house, sorry!)
Same agent/broker I dealt with, as well, who is asking $114,000.00 and she tells me I can't speak to the owner directly.
Is this the professional you want me to place all my trust in?

And, I'll tell you again: I haven't gotten far enough into it to get my own buyers agent. When I'm ready, I will.

That's because she has legal responsibility to the seller to screen buyers and perform ALL negotiations on there behalf. It's called a listing contract and it spells out duties to the seller for the client brokerage relationship.

Whether you flip,rent,or live in it would determine tax ramifications,assett protection,and offer price based on exit strategy.It's obvious from your post you are unknowledgable about the real estate market. People are not GIVING away properties. If you want to low ball offers do it on properties that need alot of work and that will be where the profit lies and value is created.

I won't post on this anymore. If you want free info pick a brokers brain locally. I charge 2,000 an hour

All the best to you.........

And, all the best to you, too!

I do understand screening (and, thought not mentioned, people saying serious inquiries only to avoid lookie loos) and I don't really have a problem with it, except that judging her from what I know of her practice, I'd like to hear some things from the seller's lips.

I don't charge $2,000 an hour for my services, but I'm worth what I get paid. No employer, nor any client of those employers, has ever had any complaint against me.

Quarter,

You offered 43.5% of the asking price. I would have advised my seller to counter at full price to discourage you or make you realize that we believe the price to be reasonable.

How do properties, in your area, that sold for $50,000 compare to this property? How does this property compare to others that sold for $115,000? The group that it has more in commmon with should guide your offer.

Other properties this agent has listed after FSBO don't really have much to do with what this property is worth UNLESS they match what this property is. Don't focus on that.

Tax value also doesn't have much to do with the market value UNLESS the taxing authority maintains tax value at current market value and they have reset this property this year.

As others have said, this property is worth what other similar properties in the area have sold for recently. Recently is a relative term defined by your market - some areas values are increasing or decreasing monthly and in others values are quite similar to what they were a year ago.

An appraiser, REALTOR, real estate agent or real estate broker in the area this property is located will be your best source of reasonable value. Posters to this board are from all across the nation and don't know what values are doing in your area.

You said you aren't far enough along to consider a buyer's representative. Why not? I believe you should consider a buyer's rep as soon as you consider yourself a serious buyer. They will help you find a property in your price range that fits your needs. They may agree with you that 43.5% of asking price is a reasonable offer on this property and use their negotiating skills to get the seller there. They may know that the asking price is inline with current values and suggest you raies your offer or find another property.

This is hilarious.

Am I the only person questioning whether this person really has 50K cash to buy a house, yet he does not own a home, and has never purchased a home?

I guess it's entertaining on a Friday afternoon.

I won a HUGE "Vexatious Refusal to Pay" lawsuit, much larger than $50K, but no further details on that. I signed a non disclosure form..

My first home was purchased from my parents. Easy deal.

My second home I used a buyer's agent. I think we did a good job.

This house, I'm very leery. Everything has already been stated, but all the news about the market, etc, yet the pricing in this small town (I'm new here) just seems out of line with everything you hear.
My last home, in a big city suburb, desirable neighborhood, bigger than the one I looked at, and they want a LOT more?

I'm just confused, that's all!

TxFred,

Thank you! You're kind remarks are appreciated.

I will find a buyer's agent and just go for it.

Quarter,

If you are still looking for your answer go to the local court house and search through the recorded documents of sale. This is the only way you can find comps. in a very rural area without finding an agent to help you.

Another thing not all real estate markets are declining. Here in Houston, Texas we have posted gains every month. Setting records for median and average home sale price again in July. A good ethical agent is far, far, far more reliable then the news casts you here ever will be.

Just because the average home sale price across the country is down does not mean that all markets are experiencing declines in value. It just means that some markets are experiencing declines that are greater than the increases in value in other markets.

Thank you!

I'm not arguing at all that some markets are up.

My observations are that this is a small town, 25 to 30 miles away from services with all sorts of properties all in close proximity. Junk collectors, abandoned houses, foreclosures right next door to well kept and very close to really, really expensive homes on the country club.

I was trying to determine THIS market and THIS house within this market. It all seemed so out of proportion.

But, it's rather moot at this point.

The house recently sold for $72,000 after she told me that the owner rejected $50,000 and countered $114,900 and refused to negotiate with me further.

I don't have that figure written in stone yet. My information comes second hand, but this is a small town and everybody knows everybody else's business, so, I trust it, in a way.

If you wonder why I'm here in a place I consider forsaken? It's just necessary right now.
Why was I interested in that house? It was close to some relatives that would have made my life a bit easier for a while.

*Help with a post-stroke relative.

Not to worry! There are plenty of houses in town of all sizes & prices. Unfortunately, many of them have asbestos siding and I'm reluctant to go for one even in the best condition.

I am in a quandary about what to do about an agent, since she seems to be the "one" people in town list with if they use an agency. Most are FSBO and I really don't know how to deal with them!

It's not that I don't trust agents. I don't trust her and I think I have been proven right.

Her attitude seemed to be that I'd have to deal with her on her terms and if I didn't like it, I was out of luck!

Small town politics may not work for me in the long run, but I'm stuck right now.

Continuing to rent may be my best bet.

At least it's all month to month with no lease involved!

Thanks again!

Don't worry about asbestos siding if it is the hard shingle type. The bad stuff is already encapsulated. The only problem would arise if you wanted to remove it which you never have to because you can cover it over with other siding.

Thanks!

That's what I've been told.

It's just that I keep thinking, "What if repairs are needed?", "What if it needed to be disturbed in some way?"

It does bring a house price way down, though!

[quote=Quarter]No, I haven't done a comp based on recent sales, but read the first post. I have done visual comparisons of adjacent properties, which is supposed to affect property values, I understand.

The house is empty and "They owe more than I offered" is a line told to me by the agent, as far as I know.
I'm dealing with real estate agents. How would one know what spoken word was true and what word was a lie?

But, why should the fact that they owe money concern me? Many people are selling at a loss or being foreclosed on, right?
I'll sell you my used car for $100,000 and I still owe money on it. That way, I can meet his price.

And, I still don't know how to tell a broker from an agent.

I don't expect any good information from this site.

It's for agents by agents, isn't it? [/quote]



Quarter you have gotten some pretty good advice. I would like to add that you should hire a Realtor (one who is a member of the National Association of Realtors which holds a strict standard toward ethics) and have him or her prepare a market analysis for you on this house. This is what I do for my buyer clientele before they make an offer. Afterall, an appraisal is just simply the amount a seller will accept and an informed buyer will pay. You will become an informed buyer once your Realtor prepares the market analysis. The Realtor will also be able to pull up the tax assessor's records from the title company to answer your questions about the property. Most buyer's agents are free of charge to you, unless you sign a Buyer's Broker Agreement and the fee is agreed to be paid in a different manner.

It sounds like you are trying to do everything yourself and for a "newbie" as you call yourself, you are doing yourself a disservice. I am sure there are some real estate offices in your County to call on. Good Luck!

The house is gone.

Thank you for your reply.

I'm not disappointed; there'll be others.

I'll get me an agent to travel 30 miles to represent me, since I don't like the one that already comes here.

[quote=Quarter]The house is gone.

Thank you for your reply.

I'm not disappointed; there'll be others.

I'll get me an agent to travel 30 miles to represent me, since I don't like the one that already comes here. [/quote]


Ok best of luck in your pursuit. Glad you have decided to hire buyer's agent.

Oh God, what a waste of bandwidth this thread has been. I had to read the whole thing.

Its pretty simple, and its just like the reverse FSBO. If you don't believe a buyers agent is worth the time, then do like you did and do your own research and submit the offer. If you want to offer 10 percent of the asking price because you dont ""feel like the value is accurate" then there is nothing at all wrong with that. When you get countered like you did, don't be surprised. When something doesnt go right, dont be surprised. If the market was anything close to decent in your area I would have told the sellers to ignore your offer due to wasting of professionals' and clients' time, when they couldve been out with another client, etc, but spent time/gas,etc,maybe "drove 30 miles" and came to entertain "an offer" of crap.

All the advice I've read here was pretty much spot on. All good advice. And theres no need to compare commercial and residential sales information. NONE.


So after this long I think you've found the answer. Use a buyers agent. There has to be another agent in the area and doesn't have to be 30 miles away, although that does happen. Any other agent would have a professional and more than likely legal responsibility to get the information you want in order to facilitate your desired contract, if you're listed as a client of theirs. Its Free!

Your timely advice is probably as good as your professional services!

Thank you, so much!

Hire an experienced broker or appraiser. Unless you hire the broker, they are most likely acting on the sellers behalf. A buyer broker be your advocate and help you negotiate. An appraiser will help determine value, but they can't act as a advocate... just gives the facts.

Oh goodie, a buyer! lol Well your first step is to locate several lenders in your area, and have them go over their loan programs. Select the one that you feel has the best program based on your finanical situation. Go ahead and have them start the loan application process and get a qualifying letter. You'll need this when you make an offer.

2nd make a list of what you "have to have" in your home and what you would "like to have".

3rd If you don't already have a realtor, I suggest you visit open houses in the area you want to live and talk with each agent. When you find one you feel has the local knowledge and you are comfortable with, ask them to help you find a home.

4th Give them your list!

Now what happens from here is you will look at homes and when you find the one you like, you and your agent will sit down and write an offer. Make sure you have the agent pull all the solds in that area for the past 6 months, so you know you are making a good offer. Let's not play games here, if the list price is a good price based on the solds, then offer them list price. Make sure to write in the offer that you want answer within 24 hours. Once the offer is written, depending on where you are, your agent may make a presentation to the seller, or it may be faxed over to the listing agent to present to seller. The seller has 3 options: #1 to accept, #2 to counteroffer, #3 to reject.

Once accepted, the paperwork is then sent to the closing company to prepare all the documents for closing. This can take anywhere from 30-60 days. The actually closing date is negotiable at time off offer and could be quicker.

Your loan company will complete your loan application and all the necessary credit checks etc. and send the mortgage package to the closing company either the day before closing or the morning of. At the closing you the buyer has the most paperwork to sign. It generally takes about an hour. Sometimes the seller will attend, sometimes not. Again each state handles this process differently.

Caution: Don't go out and buy a bunch of new stuff until after you close!

I hope you enjoy the process and find that dream home!

That's pretty thorough; but I think Quarter told us last month that he has the resources to be a CASH Buyer.

That is true, although any input is still appreciated.

I also reported the house in question is sold, but that there are many others.

I have been convinced that if I remain in Podunk, I will contract with an agent to represent me.

Where to live is a big decision you folks can't help me with!

[quote=Quarter]Is a broker an agent with experience?

How do I know a broker when I see one?[/quote]

afcours yes, a broker is a an experienced guy cause it is his job to buy and sell and that makes him a quite expert in such marketing, it now depends on thee years of experience of the broker, thus it is hard to determine a brokers experience by just looking at one.

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[url=http://www.san-diego-home-insurance.info/]San Diego Home Insurance[/url]

Hey Quarter,

One tool I like to use when I house-shop is zillow.com. It won't answer all your questions, but it does give a nice aerial view of your neighborhood, along with houses nearby and what they are worth. It might help you get an even better sense of what's going on in that neighborhood.

Liane
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