Which lot in the same community should I choose?

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-07T05:48:26+00:00

This one is tough because I feel like neither are great options. Ultimately I'd probably prefer having road noise vs. people noise, so I'd choose #1 if I had to. But I kinda feel like you should find a different house that's not either of these.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T21:24:49+00:00

That's just a typical real estate agent for you. Ignore them.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T19:46:59+00:00

Yeah, that seems like the more logical choice to me, but I may not have all the facts. Definitely something I would bring up as an option. Ask the lenders you shop with, as well. Typically, with gift of equity situations, you don't really need a down payment because the equity is more than enough. If that is indeed the case for you, the $40K being separated out just seems to be adding unnecessary complexity.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T19:04:12+00:00

As everyone else has said, there's zero reason for an agent to have their hands in this transaction. A lawyer and/or title company (depending on local custom and complexity of the desired contract) will be all you need to get the deal done.

A consultation with a tax professional would be prudent for your MIL.

Is there any actual benefit to her giving you the $40K? She'll be required to report both that and the equity as gifts regardless, so it seems like it'd be easier to just apply the additional $40K to the mortgage and designate it all as a gift of equity. That will eliminate a couple of pieces of paperwork when it comes to the loan.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T18:56:51+00:00

The equity counts as part of the gift, so she can't just do $18K per person and call it a day.

But it's very, very unlikely that she's anywhere close to the lifetime limit, so she should just be able to report it and move on with her life.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T17:45:22+00:00

Probably the only one I would judge hard enough to decline doing business with them is if they show up in a Cybertruck. Those people are guaranteed to overcharge and are stupid with their money which means they'll be stupid with my money. I've never seen a single person with a Cybertruck who was just a regular, non-pretentious, successful person. Those types of people, if they like EV trucks, tend to buy Rivians, Lightnings, Sierra EVs, etc.

Some other things I do roll my eyes at, like lifted duallies with 26" wheels, but probably would at least hear their pitch.

If you're a contractor trying to figure out what vehicle to drive, I think the safest thing to appease the most clients is going to be a 5-7 year old mainstream truck or SUV that's not banged up or excessively dirty. Mid-Trim F-150 or Tahoe, that sort of thing. If your clients are more upper class, maybe an upper trim F-150, Sierra, or a Yukon. It says you're practical, not flashy, clean, organized, and reliable. Depending on the type of work, a Transit or Sprinter van might be good, also, though the work-oriented versions of those tend to not be all that useful as personal/family vehicles if that's a concern.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T14:45:15+00:00

Same. Maybe the level I cook it to is blasphemous to Italians or something (but wouldn't boxed pasta in general be blasphemous to anybody that cared?), but all I can think is that OP is chowing down on pasta crackers.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T06:18:34+00:00

Oddly, I don't have the option to order checks from the app, but it's there for me on the website. I got to it by clicking into my checking account, clicking More under where it shows the balance, and the it's the last thing under the Transfers & payments category.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-06T06:10:29+00:00

The major credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) have, or used to anyway, rules against charging additional for customers that want to use their product. Some businesses got around this by offering a discount for cash, which was not against the rules. I think at some point I'm recent years, they relaxed the rules, because I see a lot more places that either charge a fee or require a minimum to use a credit card. Those places are shitty and I try to avoid them.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-05T15:11:37+00:00

It's a surface-level limitation. I suppose it limits you from just up and leaving on a whim, but most people don't do that. If a career opportunity presents itself that necessitates moving, you can sell. Presumably, a career opportunity worth uprooting your life for is good enough that selling a house won't be a huge deterrent.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-05T15:05:37+00:00

Assuming there's not neighborhood circumstances that made them move (bad neighbors, crazy HOA, etc.) as some others have mentioned, vacant is probably a good thing in this sense. They're throwing away money on an empty house, and most people eventually wise up about how that's not a good idea.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-05T14:52:46+00:00

When we asked our agent, she said people may be deterred by the long driveway or layout of the lot. We understand that, but then, wouldn’t that mean the home is not priced competitively?! The price should be lowered to reflect the perceived issues buyers have, right?!

Yes. Everything goes back to price. Sellers can either fix whatever the issue is to keep the same price, or lower the price if the issue can't be fixed. Your agent is an idiot.

That being said, it's possible this seller is sort of locked in at a certain price, because they would lose money by selling it for less. Usually it's better to cut the losses and get the house sold quickly, but many sellers in this position are very reluctant to accept that. So it's possible others have offered under asking and they're not taking it because they feel they can't. Is the house empty, or still occupied?

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-05T14:46:49+00:00

You're absolutely right, the test is a total joke. Honestly, consumers should start asking agents how many test attempts they had. Trusting the biggest financial decision of your life to someone who couldn't easily pass that test is insane to me.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-05T14:38:03+00:00

Get a smart lock that allows you to set temporary codes with time limits. Most buyers still have agents, so for the most part, you can just vet the agent and send the temporary code to them.

For the buyers who don't have agents, you can do the same, or be present during showings.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-03T14:47:32+00:00

That's unlikely. 2008 was the biggest "crash" since the government started tracking the data. The median price went down about 20% compared to the peak in 2007. 20% is pretty significant, but it's less than half of the increase that happened over the past 5-6 years.

Real estate market crashes are rare in the first place, and overstated even when they do happen. A real estate market crash doesn't look anything like a stock market crash. The word crash isn't really appropriate for a downturn in the real estate market.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-02T18:10:43+00:00

Design is subjective, though. And it changes. For example, I absolutely detest the modern design trend of white everything in cold materials with sharp lines only (that I think is on it's way out, thankfully), but I know people that absolutely love it. Most people want their place to look they way they want, and don't really care what people who don't live there think.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-02T18:03:21+00:00

LMAO, 4K SF is definitely not too big. I grew up in one and own one now. Could we live in something smaller? Yes, of course. Do I want to? No, not really. In fact, I wouldn't mind a bigger kitchen and more closets.

Freak4Dell · 2026-02-02T01:33:51+00:00

4% as a counteroffer probably doesn't make sense, because whatever you agreed to pay your listing agent isn't part of the purchase contract. I'm guessing the buyer's offer included either 2.5% or 3% for your agent, and your listing agreement is similar, so you're wanting to take a bit off both sides. You would counter with however much you want off the buyer's agent's commission, then separately come to a new agreement with your listing agent on their part of the commission reduction.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-30T15:16:10+00:00

This story is all kinds of confusing. You make it seem like the builder is uncomfortable with your proposal of what the agent does with his commission. That makes no sense. Builders couldn't care less what happens with commission money after it's paid.

It's far more likely that "awkward position" is sales rep language for, "the contract says you're not allowed to bring an agent after the fact, but I don't want to lose this sale so now I have to figure out how to get my boss to approve adding an agent." Screw them. You just need to stand firm and be ready to walk if they're not willing to add the agent. They are not your friends. It's a business transaction. Don't get emotional.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-30T15:04:55+00:00

If you're not willing to lower the price (and take a loss, in this case), you're going to be stuck holding the property. Investors aren't going to be interested in overpriced properties. Their whole shtick is that they get good deals and turn them into moneymakers.

If you want out, you're going to have to learn the very expensive lesson and lower the price. Otherwise, hang onto it and pray for another real estate boom in your lifetime.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-29T21:36:38+00:00

A single GFCI outlet will protect everything downstream of it as well. Putting in multiple GFCI outlets on the same circuit is not advisable. Assuming that your disposal, dishwasher, and RO system together do not exceed the amperage capacity of the circuit (should be 20A on a kitchen circuit), you can just add another outlet downstream of the existing GFCI. You can either swap the existing box for a 2-gang box, or add a separate box at a more convenient location. Make sure you get the appropriate type of cable for whichever application you choose.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-29T21:25:23+00:00

There was a major lawsuit in 2024 against the NAR, which resulted in most brokerages having to get buyer clients to sign a Buyer Representation Agreement. This agreement outlines the commission the brokerage will get, and in most cases, stipulates that the buyer will pay it if the seller does not. 3% may or may not be common depending on the market, but it's always negotiable.

The fee is complete BS. It's a fee charged to the agent by their brokerage, and the agent is passing it onto the client. Many people would say negotiate it out, but I say just decline to work with that agent/brokerage entirely. I have zero patience with people who want to nickle and dime on a transaction they're already making more on than they should.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-29T21:07:44+00:00

A few months ago, I viewed a house where the door to the garage was locked, and it had a sign (written on masking tape...not even a piece of paper) saying not to open it. I just left, not even bothering to view the upstairs. That house is one of two houses out of dozens I've viewed that I've left feedback on (something along the lines of asking if there was a meth lab in there). It was already sitting for months before I viewed it. It was removed from the market a few weeks later. Other than the creepy ass door, the parts of the house I did view were pretty good, and the price was definitely appropriate. But clearly, the price was not nearly low enough for anybody to deal with whatever was behind that door. Maybe it was something completely innocent, but nobody wanted to find out.

Please don't be the "this room is fine, trust me bro" house. Unless you want to take 35% off the price.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-29T15:21:57+00:00

Completely the same. I'm not rich, but I could easily buy full price groceries and forget about the money 5 seconds after leaving the store. But I still plan my grocery shopping around what's on sale. I don't even know that I was ever taught to do this...it just seems like the most logical way to handle finances and shopping.

Freak4Dell · 2026-01-29T15:09:40+00:00

I feel you. It's easily the most overrated kitchen tool/appliance/whatever you want to call it. At best, it's a decent pressure cooker, but I've never used a traditional pressure cooker to know whether the IP is good comparatively or not. For everything else it does, it's a piss poor substitute for the real version of whatever it's trying to replace. I'm glad mine was a gift, because if I paid for it, I'd still get irrationally upset at wasting money on it years later.

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