Q: What is the typical buyer agent’s commission for new construction in Brooklyn? Is this something that is usually negotiable? Read More.
E-mail us your real estate questions. They will be answered by our team of real estate experts and posted here
I inherited a Bridgehampton property and sold it. How do I find out what the 2003 assessed value was?
Q: I inherited a property at 59 Sunshine Ave., Bridgehampton, NY. and have since sold it. I would like to know if you could help me find out what the assessed value of that property would have been in the year 2003. Or would you be able to tell me how to find out that information? Thank you for your help. Read More.
Is it best to pay a collection account on my credit right away?
Q: I found a collection account on my credit report and wasn’t sure what to do. I was going to pay it immediately but after listening to the radio show, I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do. Please let me know. Read More.
When I was going through my divorce, the house wasn’t settled. We tried to do a modification, but did not get approved, so the house is on the market as a short sale. My credit has suffered as a result–should I put a note on my credit report to explain the circumstances?
Q: Hello, I live in NJ and recently went through a divorce. At the time of the divorce, the house wasn’t settled. Now, after trying to do a modification and not getting it, the house is on the market as a short sale. My credit has suffered and I was wondering, if I add a letter to my credit report explaining the divorce and such, will that help me get some credit? Prior to all of this happening, my credit was decent–I had a score of 720. Now it is much lower–in the low 600s. My ex-husband did nothing to help me and won’t even cooperate with the short sale, but my saving grace is that my divorce decree says the house is to be sold. Read More.
I recently refinanced my home at an interest rate of 5.25%. Is it better for me to pay the entire amount owed, continue making small payments at the refinanced rate, or refinance again at 4% interest?
Q: I am retired and re-financed from 15 to 30 year fixed in order to lower my monthly payments. The interest rate was at 5.25 %. Is it worth to pay off the entire amount owed, which is $160,000, from my savings, or should I continue paying the lower monthly rate for the rest of my life? Or, a third option I am considering would be to refinance again at 4 %. My income is approximately $5,000/month, and comes from Social Security and pension. Financial advisors usually say to keep the mortgage and invest the money. What do you think? I tried to downsize and sell the house, but had it on the market for a year with no luck. Read More.
