Search found 1375 matches

by jfn111
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15080

Re: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission

TBH in the software driven world today, I don't see much value to having a seller's agent either. Definitely not worthy of 6%, that's for sure. Somehow I don't think we are going to see many 1-click purchases for real estate. Maybe for investment properties. But for most people, their home is their largest purchase ever, and they get to live in it. They'll still want to view the property in person. That's likely to still be facilitated by an agent, not software. Never said it needs to be a 1-click purchase. Buyers can definitely visit the property without any agent as code to lockboxes are already getting generated. We live in a world where an Amazon package can be dropped off inside the house by the driver. Why do we even need a lockbox? ...
by jfn111
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric mower for mulching
Replies: 30
Views: 2350

Re: Electric mower for mulching

livesoft wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:08 pm I found the OP funny because my neighbor has been borrowing my Toro gas-powered mower because his electric mower is kaput.
That is one of the reasons for asking the question. If people aren't happy with electric mowers then getting another gas mower might be the better answer.
by jfn111
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric mower for mulching
Replies: 30
Views: 2350

Re: Electric mower for mulching

I have gone through 2 Toro gas mowers that have given up the ghost after 3 years. They both worked great until they didn't. :annoyed Anyone have a recommendation? I have never had a gas powered mower just give up and some are nearly as old as I am. What I have found over many years of getting other mowers to work, is 99% of the time they just weren't properly serviced or stored in the off season. Nearly 40 years ago, our high school had a small engine repair class where we gathered up discarded "non-functioning" lawn mower engines, took them apart, cleaned them, and they always all started back up. My recommendation before adding to the pollution stream and increasing your carbon footprint by discarding lightly used mowers, would...
by jfn111
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric mower for mulching
Replies: 30
Views: 2350

Re: Electric mower for mulching

Thankyou all for the replies. :sharebeer
by jfn111
Fri Mar 01, 2024 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric mower for mulching
Replies: 30
Views: 2350

Electric mower for mulching

I'm looking for an electric mower that will primarily be used for mulching. I would also like the option to bag, esp. in the fall, to pick up leaves.
I have gone through 2 Toro gas mowers that have given up the ghost after 3 years. They both worked great until they didn't. :annoyed
Anyone have a recommendation?
by jfn111
Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are car washes necessary?
Replies: 116
Views: 12618

Re: Are car washes necessary?

I hand wash the car weekly in the summer. I use the washing stall at my sons Condo in the winter. It costs $2.50 ($1.25) per cycle and the garage is heated.
As a real estate agent I'm meeting with the public, while showing houses, and I think a clean car looks more professional.
by jfn111
Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone here "unretire"?
Replies: 21
Views: 3477

Re: Anyone here "unretire"?

I retired at 55 with health insurance and a nice pension. I got bored out of my skull and went and got my real estate license. I have been "unretired" for 12 years now and having been enjoying this new chapter of my life ever since.
by jfn111
Sat Jan 13, 2024 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?
Replies: 71
Views: 11840

Re: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?

02nz wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 11:57 pm "Horrified," "terrible," "forcibly," "ridiculous," "impossible" ...

Surely only by the grace of God did you survive to tell this tale.
Lol :D
I use and like the Schwab platform.
by jfn111
Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama
Replies: 96
Views: 16962

Re: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama

I would contact a Real Estate Agent, of your choosing, and have them look at the properties. A second opinion on resale options is always a good idea.
by jfn111
Mon Nov 06, 2023 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Sellers Win $1.8 Billion After Jury Finds Conspiracy Among Realtors
Replies: 421
Views: 46542

Re: Home Sellers Win $1.8 Billion After Jury Finds Conspiracy Among Realtors

Why don’t sellers offer 3% or whatever fee to their agent and that’s all? It should be up to the buyer to pay their agent. I have handled FSBO sales where the Buyer's paid me and it worked out well for everyone. In most traditional sales the Buyer's don't have the funds to pay a Buyer's Agent. The real world isn't like Bogleheads where everyone seems to have deep pockets. My average first time home buyer is relying on me to guide them to downpayment assistance programs and they usually use an FHA mortgage with 3.5% down. This has the potential to leave the lower end of the market without adequate representation. Yes it will leave a big gap in representation. I spend much more time with young first time home buyers then I spend with seasone...
by jfn111
Sun Nov 05, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Sellers Win $1.8 Billion After Jury Finds Conspiracy Among Realtors
Replies: 421
Views: 46542

Re: Home Sellers Win $1.8 Billion After Jury Finds Conspiracy Among Realtors

nydoc wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2023 11:45 am Why don’t sellers offer 3% or whatever fee to their agent and that’s all? It should be up to the buyer to pay their agent.
I have handled FSBO sales where the Buyer's paid me and it worked out well for everyone. In most traditional sales the Buyer's don't have the funds to pay a Buyer's Agent. The real world isn't like Bogleheads where everyone seems to have deep pockets. My average first time home buyer is relying on me to guide them to downpayment assistance programs and they usually use an FHA mortgage with 3.5% down.
by jfn111
Fri Nov 03, 2023 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Finding and buying land
Replies: 11
Views: 1344

Re: Finding and buying land

There is a spot in our MLS for "lots and land". A local agent would be happy to setup a search for you.
by jfn111
Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Starter home struggles
Replies: 51
Views: 6014

Re: Starter home struggles

When you list your current home put in the clause-" Sale is contingent on sellers finding a suitable home". When you find a buyer you can now offer on a new home with the purchase being contingent on the "successful closing" of your present house.
by jfn111
Thu Sep 21, 2023 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $500 for HOA documents
Replies: 40
Views: 4487

Re: $500 for HOA documents

That's about the average cost, here in MN, for Condo docs. HOA's run the gambit from free to hundreds depending on how the HOA is run.
There are HOA's that collect $50 bucks per year to maintain a flower garden at the entrance compared to HOA's that have a 50 page rule book and take care of all outside maintenance and lawn care.
by jfn111
Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mail in passport renewal
Replies: 80
Views: 11180

Re: Mail in passport renewal

Just for reference I mailed my passport renewal in on Friday Aug. 10th. I paid for expedited service and they cashed the check on Aug. 15th. I received the passport yesterday on Sept. 9th. 29 days total.
by jfn111
Fri Aug 25, 2023 6:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Timing of Bank wire as a home buyer
Replies: 14
Views: 1738

Re: Timing of Bank wire as a home buyer

mtmingus wrote: Fri Aug 25, 2023 5:17 am The bank says it may take up to a business day for the money to get to the destination (domestic). As a home buyers, should we bank wire the money the day before the closing and walk through, or after the walk through (hours before the closing) and at the closing? My understanding is, the bank wire goes to a title company an escrow, if things don’t go as planned, we should be able to get the money back.

Any concerns?
Check with your title company but in my market they have gone back to requesting money orders. There was to much fraud involved with the wire transfers.
by jfn111
Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Mice] - Good Riddance
Replies: 17
Views: 1448

Re: [Mice] - Good Riddance

TomatoTomahto wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:27 am We succeeded with a combination of plugging holes and traps. We won’t use poison because we have so much wildlife and birds around us that we enjoy.

We hired someone to help us plug holes. It’s not that we are lazy (we are), but he really understood the rodents’ habits and had much better eyesight than we do. Mice sure can get in via tiny holes.
Agree, we had mice several years ago and used a local extermination company to plug all possible entry points. No mice since.
by jfn111
Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bid a house with Escalation clause
Replies: 27
Views: 2762

Re: Bid a house with Escalation clause

This is the clause our Brokerage uses-
In the event that Seller receives another bona fide offer for the property before final acceptance of this Purchase Agreement where the net purchase price (total purchase price less any seller paid concessions or closing costs) is equal to or greater than the Purchase Price of this offer, then Buyer agrees to pay $_________ more than the other offer, up to a maximum of $ _____________. Seller agrees to provide proof of the other offer, at which point the parties shall agree to immediately sign an amendment to confirm the new purchase price.
by jfn111
Tue Jun 13, 2023 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repair to Old Seiko Watch - Is This reasonable?
Replies: 41
Views: 3589

Re: Repair to Old Seiko Watch - Is This reasonable?

For those interested in repairing old watches as a hobby there is a couple of good YouTube channels. The one I would start with is "Wristwatch Revival". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BCO1lNSw-E
by jfn111
Mon May 29, 2023 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard by State
Replies: 3
Views: 472

Re: Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard by State

Looks like the usual Blue good Red bad tripe.
by jfn111
Tue May 23, 2023 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real estate sales contract question
Replies: 23
Views: 1936

Re: Real estate sales contract question

In MN it's one to buy and two to sell. Husband and wife both go on a MN contract regardless of who is on the original deed.
by jfn111
Sun May 14, 2023 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Determining Net Worth
Replies: 114
Views: 9170

Re: Determining Net Worth

I use the Fidelity Aggregator and call it close enough. I don't bother with cars, coins or household furnishings.
by jfn111
Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good read from WSJ about not retiring
Replies: 77
Views: 11495

Re: Good read from WSJ about not retiring

I'm enjoying "partial" retirement but I plan on hanging it up when I turn 70.
I still enjoy working with young people and helping them find a good house. It's amazing how many younger folks no nothing about HVAC systems and other possible problems you run into when looking at houses.
by jfn111
Sat Apr 01, 2023 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long have you been in your current house?
Replies: 148
Views: 12404

Re: How long have you been in your current house?

34 years in this house. I bought my first house at 22, second house at 26 and this house at 32. Wow!! 22 is really young. I wonder if any 22 year olds could do it today without any financial assistance? It seems like home prices have risen much faster than salaries/raises (well...at least mine :oops: ) I bought my home at age 25 with $8,000 down and a FHA loan @7% and PMI. After a lot of sweat equity and forced appreciation I refinanced down to a 20 year loan and 6%. I paid it off around year 10 and started making "payments" to our Roth IRAs. I bought my first house right out of College and had 2 roommates. My payment was $279 per month. The roommates paid $100 each and we split the utilities 3 ways. (Life was good). Today the av...
by jfn111
Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long have you been in your current house?
Replies: 148
Views: 12404

Re: How long have you been in your current house?

34 years in this house. I bought my first house at 22, second house at 26 and this house at 32.
by jfn111
Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Landlord died, advice on purchasing condo from heirs
Replies: 11
Views: 2281

Re: Landlord died, advice on purchasing condo from heirs

Two thoughts for you-
I would go ahead and get the pre-approval done. (Even if you don't buy this unit you'll need it for a future purchase).
You can set up a search on an App like Redfin that will give you up to date info on what similar Condos are selling for.
by jfn111
Wed Mar 01, 2023 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Asking charity to compensate volunteer miles and expenses?
Replies: 38
Views: 2898

Re: Asking charity to compensate volunteer miles and expenses?

I volunteer for our local Food Bank and we have a small fleet of vehicles for pickup and delivery of pantry items. I drive, on occasion, and our vehicles are donated by local businesses and each vehicle has an assigned gas card so zero out of pocket expense for drivers.
It sounds like your food bank needs to up their game with fundraising and gov. grants.
by jfn111
Mon Feb 20, 2023 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are you retiring from?
Replies: 6
Views: 1184

Re: What are you retiring from?

I worked 33 years and "retired" at 55. The job just wasn't enjoyable anymore and I was eligible for a full pension and retiree medical. I then went and got my RE License and have been enjoying life working when I want and with whom I want. :D
by jfn111
Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 27 inch or 32 inch monitors
Replies: 54
Views: 3367

Re: 27 inch or 32 inch monitors

ThankYouJack wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:38 am
jfn111 wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:16 am
ThankYouJack wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:02 am I used to have dual monitors. Switched to a large curved USB-C (based on feedback on here) and will never go back. Highly recommend going that route instead.
I have been wanting to go that route. Which monitor did you get?
https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-34wn8 ... de-monitor

I bought it a few years ago so there may be something newer / better now for a similar price. But I'd buy another in a heart beat over getting two monitors
Thank you! :sharebeer
by jfn111
Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 27 inch or 32 inch monitors
Replies: 54
Views: 3367

Re: 27 inch or 32 inch monitors

ThankYouJack wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:02 am I used to have dual monitors. Switched to a large curved USB-C (based on feedback on here) and will never go back. Highly recommend going that route instead.
I have been wanting to go that route. Which monitor did you get?
by jfn111
Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Earnest money without escrow?
Replies: 5
Views: 432

Re: Earnest money without escrow?

The above descriptions of earnest money is spot on but there is a second type of "escrow" called escrow holdback. Sometimes a sale is based on things like a roof replacement or septic system repair that can't be completed before the closing. The Title Company will hold 1.5 times the estimated cost in "escrow holdback" until the work is completed.
by jfn111
Fri Jan 13, 2023 5:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toll Transponder
Replies: 18
Views: 2407

Re: Toll Transponder

Katietsu wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:16 pm
jfn111 wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:05 pm Thanks all. It seems EZ Pass is the way to go.
One last question- what is the difference between a "Tag" and a "Transponder"?
Interesting. I’ve always used transponder. My quick google search would indicate that they are the same thing. In fact, I saw one state which called it a “transponder tag.”
Thanks :D
by jfn111
Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toll Transponder
Replies: 18
Views: 2407

Re: Toll Transponder

Thanks all. It seems EZ Pass is the way to go.
One last question- what is the difference between a "Tag" and a "Transponder"?
by jfn111
Thu Jan 12, 2023 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toll Transponder
Replies: 18
Views: 2407

Re: Toll Transponder

robphoto wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:15 am Do you drive your car to Florida, or is this just for driving while in Florida? What are the systems used on your route to Florida?
We drive to Florida. Depending on the route we take we sometimes encounter 1 Illinois toll so it would be nice if the device covered both states.
by jfn111
Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toll Transponder
Replies: 18
Views: 2407

Toll Transponder

We are getting ready for our annual Florida trip and, since the Cape Coral causeway bridge no longer has maned booths, I figured it was about time to get an electronic pass.
I noticed on Amazon a couple of different Sun Pass devices, transponder and sticker, as well as an EZPass sticker.
Any suggestions on the best one to get?
Thanks
by jfn111
Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Latest jobs reports show still a tight labor market - discussion
Replies: 7
Views: 962

Re: Latest jobs reports show still a tight labor market - discussion

grettman wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:36 pm This can be locked for multiple reasons!
Congrats on becoming a Mod! :annoyed
by jfn111
Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you seeing home prices go down in your area?
Replies: 49
Views: 4640

Re: Are you seeing home prices go down in your area?

Dottie57 wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:29 am Minneapolis first ring suburb - condos. I have been watching lstings and the market has been sloooow since end of summer. Some listings are 6 months old. And owners seem to be reluctant to lower prices - stuck on the high price riseduring 2020-2022 summer.
Median Twin Cities Condo prices have been pretty flat. Jan 2022 the median was $189,500 and Dec. 2022 the median was $183,388 (Down 4% for the year). Average days on market for 2022 was 30 days.
by jfn111
Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you seeing home prices go down in your area?
Replies: 49
Views: 4640

Re: Are you seeing home prices go down in your area?

The Median sales price, in the Twin Cities, peaked in June at $380,000. It finished Dec. at $347,700.
Data from Northstar MLS.
by jfn111
Mon Jan 02, 2023 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father Passed Unexpectedly - He Was Self-Managing 56 Rental Units
Replies: 42
Views: 9367

Re: Father Passed Unexpectedly - He Was Self-Managing 56 Rental Units

sailaway wrote: Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:21 am Find a PM who is also a real estate agent. They would probably glad to help. This is very common in the last two places I lived, hopefully available for you.
Most of the property managers, in MN, are also licensed agents. I imagine this is common across the country. Tell the PM upfront what your plans are and then negotiate a reduced sales commission based on giving them that much business.
by jfn111
Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backing out of a real estate transaction
Replies: 63
Views: 6411

Re: Backing out of a real estate transaction

Have your agent let their agent know you are terminating the agreement. Expect a lot of verbiage from everyone. You almost certainly won’t have any other ill effects. I don’t have any idea how a 44 billion purchase of a public company is in any way a useful analogy to backing out of a house purchase 72 hours later. 8foot7 If there wasn't any earnest money delivered, was there any "consideration" delivered to effectively enjoin a contract? The consideration is the $780k. It doesn't have to have been delivered. People sign contracts all the time with no money upfront. Exactly. This has been established precedent for over three decades. Kristerin Development Co. v. Granson Inv. https://law.justia.com/cases/iowa/supreme-court/1986/85...
by jfn111
Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backing out of a real estate transaction
Replies: 63
Views: 6411

Re: Backing out of a real estate transaction

Neither agent is going to be suing anyone. Not a realistic concern. Frankly, no one is going to be suing anyone here. Ultimately the question is, has anyone incurred meaningful damages in the last 72 hours if OP backs out of the transaction? The house has been "off the market" for 3 days, but what exactly is the damage there? No money has been exchanged. No deposits received or lost. I doubt the MLS has even been updated, although it might have, but if not, the house is still listed and available for viewing. Simply put, nothing substantial has happened -- and anything that may have happened can easily "unhappen." Sure, everyone involved might get testy but ultimately it's huffing and puffing. Move along. I've never see...
by jfn111
Tue Nov 29, 2022 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backing out of a real estate transaction
Replies: 63
Views: 6411

Re: Backing out of a real estate transaction

Think about what's in the news. Elon Musk trolled Twitter by offering $44B to buy it. He signed a contract and then decided to back out. Twitter, knowing that they're not even worth 1/4 that went to court. Elon relented (his lawyers made him) and he bought the $9B company for $44B. Now he's doing his best to decimate the company and make it worth nothing. The point is, indeed the sellers brought him to court. You're paying a lot of money. Its certainly best to retain your own attorney and get good advice and follow it. I would think that you're going to have to spend significant money to get out of this deal, so be prepared. If you're not willing to spend a couple hundred grand to not buy, then buy and immediately put it up for sale. As a ...
by jfn111
Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replace roof prior to selling house?
Replies: 30
Views: 2850

Re: Replace roof prior to selling house?

I would just replace the missing shingles and prepare to negotiate if it gets called out by the Buyer's inspector. Worst case you could probably agree to split the cost which still leaves more money in your pocket. It depends on the condition of the rest of the house and the local market. Probably the worst case is the house won't sell to a buyer who wants a turnkey house and would pay up for that, so you end up with an offer from the we-buy-ugly-houses people. I wouldn't assume that someone would split the cost if the roof should really be replaced; I don't think most Bogleheads would. In a real estate transaction everything is negotiable. The OP said this was a second layer of shingles placed over an existing roof. I'm guessing we are no...
by jfn111
Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replace roof prior to selling house?
Replies: 30
Views: 2850

Re: Replace roof prior to selling house?

I would just replace the missing shingles and prepare to negotiate if it gets called out by the Buyer's inspector. Worst case you could probably agree to split the cost which still leaves more money in your pocket.
by jfn111
Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long does it take to write up a housing purchase contract/agreement?
Replies: 36
Views: 5126

Re: How long does it take to write up a housing purchase contract/agreement?

Here's the situation. I have a prospective buyer for my house. They told me they're in the middle of a lease that expires in May and that's when they would like to complete the sale. They told me they're in the process of writing up the purchase agreement or contract since the sale would still be a few months away. They've had more than a month to draw up this document but haven't. Whenever I inquire they tell me they're working on it. I don't have much experience with real estate but others have told me that a purchase agreement/contract is pretty straightforward and shouldn't take that long. So I guess I'm wondering if there's a credible reason it's taking this long. Where I live is a Land trust so there is a ground lease. Do you think t...
by jfn111
Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: unfinished attic counted in house square footage?
Replies: 21
Views: 2095

Re: unfinished attic counted in house square footage?

There are 3 numbers to look at-
Sq footage, Finished sq footage and Above grade finished sq footage.
In areas like the Midwest, where finished basements are common, the listings will show a large amount of finished sq feet but a smaller number for above grade finished sq feet.
In the OP's case the walk up attic is part of the sq footage but not part of the "finished" sq footage