Real Estate Advice from John Lee

Before you buy

• Why the highest offer does not always win
  How appraisal risk and the rest of an offer affect the seller’s decision.
• What I look for in seller disclosures
  Questions to ask about the history and condition of a home.
• What it means when a home comes back on the market
  Why finding out what happened matters more than assuming something is wrong.
• Thinking through a new construction purchase
  Look beyond the model home to the price, incentives, timing, and eventual resale.

Ready to put the pieces together? See how I work with buyers.

Before you sell

• What an online estimate can and cannot tell you
  The difference between an estimate, probable market value, and a listing price.
• The costs to consider before listing your home
  Start with what you expect to keep, not just the price you hope to receive.
• A closer look at a Lansdale home sale
  The preparation and marketing behind one of my transactions. Every property and sale is different.
• What are you paying a real estate agent to do?
  My perspective on the work behind a sale and how to evaluate it.

Considering a move? See how I work with sellers.

Local perspective

• What the Montgomery Mall story says about property cycles
• Montgomery Mall and Plymouth Meeting: two different paths
• Making sense of local housing headlines

Market articles reflect the information available when they were written. Check the publication date, and ask me what has changed before using an older report to make a decision.

Owning and investing

What owning 20 rental units taught me about time. My experience with cash flow, repairs, and choosing investments that fit the life I want.

Prefer to watch?

These short clips and longer videos answer questions I hear from buyers and sellers. Each has a written introduction, with related reading where available.

Is my Zestimate the same as my home’s market value?

No. An automated estimate is a starting point. Condition, improvements, comparable sales, and the circumstances of those sales all belong in the conversation about your home’s value.

Watch my explanation of online estimates or read the article.

Why might a seller choose an offer below the highest price?

The seller also has to weigh financing, appraisal risk, inspections, and timing. The strongest offer is about the whole set of terms and the likelihood of reaching closing.

Watch my explanation of appraisal gaps and offers or read the article.

What should I ask about a seller’s disclosure?

Ask what happened, what work was done, and what records are available. A disclosure can help you decide what needs a closer look. It does not replace an inspection.

Watch my discussion of seller disclosures or read the article.

Is the down payment all the cash I need to buy?

No. In my short video, I explain why budgeting only for the down payment can leave you short at closing. There are other costs to account for, including title insurance, taxes, and lender fees. Ask your lender and settlement provider for estimates specific to your purchase.

Watch my short answer about the cash needed to buy.

What is the purpose of an earnest money deposit?

It shows the seller that you are committed to the purchase. In this short answer, I also explain why the contract matters when questions come up about keeping or returning that deposit.

Watch my short explanation of earnest money.

How does home equity fit into my next move?

In this video, I discuss how equity can become part of the conversation about selling, buying another home, or improving the one you own. Start with what you want to accomplish and understand the costs and obligations of any option you consider.

Watch my short discussion of home equity.

Browse my full real estate FAQ playlist.