Answers by Jean Lewis

You do have options, but selling ‘just your half’ is not always simple. In most cases, either the co-owner buys you out or both owners agree to sell the property together. If there is a disagreement, an attorney may need to help determine the next step. I hope this helps. Jean Lewis, Jean Lewis Homes - Keller Williams Pinnacle 618-799-9205, [email protected]

I advised my buyers to "Marry the home, date the rate" Trying to time an ‘interest-rate thaw’ can cause you to miss serious buyers who are shopping right now. April 1st is he kick-off to the housing season. Mortgage rates are still elevated at about 6.46% for a 30-year loan, but spring remains an active selling season, and many buyers know they can refinance later if rates improve. The better question is whether your home is ready and priced correctly for today’s market. Jean Lewis, Jean Lewis Homes - Keller Williams Pinnacle 618-799-9205, [email protected]

When selling an inherited house, the biggest things to know are who has legal authority to sell it, whether probate is required, whether there is a mortgage or other liens, and what the tax consequences may be. In many cases, inherited property gets a step-up in tax basis to the home’s fair market value at the date of death, which can reduce capital gains tax if the home is sold. If there is a mortgage, heirs may be able to continue dealing with the servicer once they provide proof of their rights to the property. Before listing, it is wise to confirm title, gather estate documents and death certificate and speak with an attorney or tax professional if anything is unclear

An appraisal will let you know if you are paying too much for a house.

A 15 year mortgage allows you to pay significantly less money over the life of the loan. The Interest rate is lower than the 30 year mortgage, your payment will be higher but more of your money will be going towards the principal, allowing you to get the loan paid off in half the time.

Hi Randy, typically there is no fee to get your home listed. Your real estate agent only gets paid upon closing. Since we run our own businesses, some agents may charge a minimum fee. Be sure to ask this question when you are interviewing agents. Thanks for the great question.

Hi Ashley, Yes, 4 price drops in 5 months typically causes buyers to have some concern and they also get the mindset to wait for more price drops before putting in an offer. It is key to properly position your home on the market from the beginning and when adjusting price, it needs to be significant to grab a substantial amount of additional buyers.

Anytime you see an estimated value for your home on a 3rd party website, you should be able to "Claim your Home" and update any inaccurate information.