Kathy Wall

Is Foreclosure a Smart Way to Go?
October 20, 2011 · · 1 Comment

 

In today’s world I am regularly asked by folks whether they should just give up, walk away and let their home be taken by foreclosure or try to “hang in there” until they can find another solution.

This is a really difficult question to answer.   There are so many factors involved.   Ethicially and morally, I believe that you should do everything you possibly can to honor the contracts that you entered into when you purchased the property, even if the property is no longer worth what you paid…as long as you can still afford to make the payments.

However, the incredible stress of trying to hold on when you can’t afford to make the payments can be all consuming and emotionally destructive.     When all else fails, sometimes the only possible answer is to walk away.   Before doing that, however, you should explore all other possible options, such as:       Read more

PruCalVoices

Don’t Let Them Buy Your Love…Or Your Listing!
November 27, 2010 · · 3 Comments

There is a phrase related to home selling that has always struck me as a bit odd, even before I got into the business of real estate. “I chose my Realtor ® because they said they could get me XX amount of dollars” is often the refrain of a home seller.  Really?  They can tell you precisely what your house is going to go for in the future.  If a Realtor tells you that, you ask them why they aren’t in Vegas making themselves rich with that skill.

The practice is called “buying a listing” and it can be an effective way to get business.  The problem is, it doesn’t serve the seller.       Read more

Kathy Wall

Environmental Issues When Buying A Home
June 29, 2009 · · 4 Comments

I recently had to renew my real estate license for another 4 years and, as part of that process, had to take 45 hours of continuing education.    I’ve been selling real estate for 16 years and, after all of that time, you start to think you know it all.    Clearly, I was wrong, because I learned a lot from taking these courses.    

The course that covers environmental issues in  homes was of particular interest.   I thought that some of the things I learned might be of help to my readers, so my next few articles will cover some of the environmental issues people need to be aware of.   Today, I’ll talk a little about asbestos. Read more