Chris Pirillo » house http://chris.pirillo.com News and Reviews! Geek, Internet Entrepreneur, Hardware Addict, Software Junkie, Book Author, Once TV Show Host, Technology Enthusiast, Shameless Self-Promoter, Tech Conference Coordinator, Early Adopter, Idea Evangelist, Tech Support Blogger, Bootstrapper, Media Personality, Technology Consultant, Thicker Quicker Picker Upper. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:25:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 © chris@pirillo.com () chris@pirillo.com() Geek, Internet Entrepreneur, Hardware Addict, Software Junkie, Book Author, Once TV Show Host, Technology Enthusiast, Shameless Self-Promoter, Tech Conference Coordinator, Early Adopter, Idea Evangelist, Tech Support Blogger, Bootstrapper, Media Personality, Technology Consultant, Thicker Quicker Picker Upper. chris@pirillo.com No no http://chris.pirillo.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpgChris Pirillohttp://chris.pirillo.com 144 144 Is Real Estate Possible without an Agent?http://chris.pirillo.com/is-real-estate-possible-without-an-agent/ http://chris.pirillo.com/is-real-estate-possible-without-an-agent/#comments Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:21:22 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/03/25/is-real-estate-possible-without-an-agent/ Is Real Estate Possible without an Agent? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Many people in the country have been hurt by the mortgage crisis. People are getting foreclosed upon; they can’t make their payments. Because of this, we are all feeling the pinch and we are tumbling into recession. Many people are trying to sell their homes themselves. Here are some tips to work without a Realtor, sent in by JcGeekGirl.

  • YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE AN AGENT! I cannot stress this enough. Agents have made the process of buying/selling property such a mystery, many people are afraid to embark on this journey without one. However there are instances where an agent is a good idea – such as:
    • You live in another state from the property and need someone to show it
    • You don’t have the time to hit the pavement and do the work of a real estate agent to sell on your own.

    There are many reasons to try and get the “by owner” thing to work for you. If you are willing to act as your own agent, and do the work of one, you can save thousands in commission fees – which in some cases, means the difference in selling the property and getting stuck with it.

  • You still need to advertise! There isn’t an agent doing the work for you. Place ads in the local paper, “for sale” magazines, put signs up where you are allowed to post handbills… and hold an open house as often as possible. The more people you advertise to, the more people will see the property, increasing your chances of selling (and possibly the length of time in which you sell).
  • The MLS is your friend – use it. MLS is the Multiple Listing Service – the database realtors use to search out homes for buyers. For years, “by owner” sellers have not been able to use it, but things are different now. Many agents across the country will offer you an MLS and/or Realtor listing for a flat rate. It may be the only service they provide at that low, flat rate. That potentially puts your property in front of millions of people that wouldn’t otherwise see it. You do need to offer a commission rate for a buyer’s agent though (it’s only fair, if you’re using the realtor database to advertise). With some slight negotiating room, the standard rate is 3%.
  • Not all “By Owner” websites are the same. Each one is owned by a different company. When a friend refers you, find out exactly what the address is, so you know where you are really getting referred to. When you place an ad, write down the company name, address, phone number, email addresses and your specific ad information. This is very helpful to have so you can come back to it later. Many companies take advantage of the play on words – different angles of “For Sale By Owner”. Some charge more than others, too. Before using one of these sites, research all of your options carefully. Check the traffic history of the site. Unless the Terms and Conditions of Use on the site (or any contracts state it), you can put your property out there for as many people to see it as you can afford to advertise. There are many who list their property on more than one of these websites. Craigslist is also a popular place to list property for sale. Some auction their homes on eBay. You have many options available to you when you’re not bound by an “exclusive listing rights” contract.
  • Now that you’ve listed your property somewhere, it’s time for the contacts and inquiries to roll in, right? Are you prepared to sell to the first person that calls, or visits the property? One way to be prepared is to ask all interested parties to bring a “mortgage pre-qualification letter” from their lender, stating that yes they can afford this house. I mean, what is the point in showing the home to someone who can’t buy it? It wastes everyone’s time. You can even offer the services of a lender you’ve lined up, and put that information in your ad or your open house invitation.
  • Times are tough. Scammers are getting more aggressive as the days progress. You need to be careful and research your contacts, and the people sending you emails regarding the property. If they are out of the country on assignment and their wife is really interested in the property, what is your bottom price? Think twice about it – it might be the difference between parting with $8,000 (give or take) with nothing to show for it, and a legitimate inquiry about the property. The biggest tip about anything on the internet – if it SOUNDS too good to be true, it probably is. Contact your local Consumer Protection office if you get a fishy email, and report it to the service where you’ve listed your property as well.
  • There is no shame in admitting you can’t handle the closing of the sale. Some people can do this process entirely on their own – but many use the services of a real estate attorney and a title company to handle all the legal aspects of the sale, disclosures that need to be made about the property, the list goes on. If the closing process sounds overwhelming, don’t be afraid to call someone.
  • Google is your friend… as always. Use Google to find out those real estate terms you don’t understand. Research what “staging” and “short sale” and “lien” mean. There are thousands of articles online to help you through this process from beginning to end. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel by braving it on your own. The information is there – utilize it.
  • Nobody wants to buy property they haven’t seen. Properties listed on the Internet get viewed more if they have a photo or two. Better yet, have a lot of photos and use as many as you can. This doesn’t mean have 6 shots of the tub all online – this means let your house tell it’s story…. “I have 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a pool, Jacuzzi, and a handmade brick barbeque area.” The goal of the photos is to take the personality out – take the photo of the room, the area, not the stuff that’s in it. An empty room in a photo can be good and bad. It may show “immediate move in condition” but it may also show that the property has been on the market for so long, the owner has already moved out and moved on. Even if you have to borrow or rent furniture to take pictures – it’s better than no pictures or an empty-room photo.
  • Lastly, have patience. It takes realtors a while to sell houses these days – you can be just as lucky trying to sell it yourself. Make sure you’ve had a physical appraisal done on your property to find out the value, find out what comparable homes have sold for in the area (you can search online for services that offer that information in a quick and easy digestible format, or you can take a day trip to the county office). Current national trends put the average time to sell a home (agent or not) at 4-6 months – some areas longer due to the market being saturated with soooo many properties for sale.

Disclaimer
This advice is just that… advice. It in no way replaces the professional advice of a lawyer or Realtor. Please be sure to seek proper legal advice in your area, to cover all of your bases.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> Is Real Estate Possible without an Agent? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

Many people in the country have been hurt by the mortgage crisis. People are getting foreclosed upon; they can’t make their payments. Because of this, we are all feeling the pinch and we are tumbling into recession. Many people are trying to sell their homes themselves. Here are some tips to work without a Realtor, sent in by JcGeekGirl.

  • YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE AN AGENT! I cannot stress this enough. Agents have made the process of buying/selling property such a mystery, many people are afraid to embark on this journey without one. However there are instances where an agent is a good idea – such as:
    • You live in another state from the property and need someone to show it
    • You don’t have the time to hit the pavement and do the work of a real estate agent to sell on your own.

    There are many reasons to try and get the “by owner” thing to work for you. If you are willing to act as your own agent, and do the work of one, you can save thousands in commission fees – which in some cases, means the difference in selling the property and getting stuck with it.

  • You still need to advertise! There isn’t an agent doing the work for you. Place ads in the local paper, “for sale” magazines, put signs up where you are allowed to post handbills… and hold an open house as often as possible. The more people you advertise to, the more people will see the property, increasing your chances of selling (and possibly the length of time in which you sell).
  • The MLS is your friend – use it. MLS is the Multiple Listing Service – the database realtors use to search out homes for buyers. For years, “by owner” sellers have not been able to use it, but things are different now. Many agents across the country will offer you an MLS and/or Realtor listing for a flat rate. It may be the only service they provide at that low, flat rate. That potentially puts your property in front of millions of people that wouldn’t otherwise see it. You do need to offer a commission rate for a buyer’s agent though (it’s only fair, if you’re using the realtor database to advertise). With some slight negotiating room, the standard rate is 3%.
  • Not all “By Owner” websites are the same. Each one is owned by a different company. When a friend refers you, find out exactly what the address is, so you know where you are really getting referred to. When you place an ad, write down the company name, address, phone number, email addresses and your specific ad information. This is very helpful to have so you can come back to it later. Many companies take advantage of the play on words – different angles of “For Sale By Owner”. Some charge more than others, too. Before using one of these sites, research all of your options carefully. Check the traffic history of the site. Unless the Terms and Conditions of Use on the site (or any contracts state it), you can put your property out there for as many people to see it as you can afford to advertise. There are many who list their property on more than one of these websites. Craigslist is also a popular place to list property for sale. Some auction their homes on eBay. You have many options available to you when you’re not bound by an “exclusive listing rights” contract.
  • Now that you’ve listed your property somewhere, it’s time for the contacts and inquiries to roll in, right? Are you prepared to sell to the first person that calls, or visits the property? One way to be prepared is to ask all interested parties to bring a “mortgage pre-qualification letter” from their lender, stating that yes they can afford this house. I mean, what is the point in showing the home to someone who can’t buy it? It wastes everyone’s time. You can even offer the services of a lender you’ve lined up, and put that information in your ad or your open house invitation.
  • Times are tough. Scammers are getting more aggressive as the days progress. You need to be careful and research your contacts, and the people sending you emails regarding the property. If they are out of the country on assignment and their wife is really interested in the property, what is your bottom price? Think twice about it – it might be the difference between parting with $8,000 (give or take) with nothing to show for it, and a legitimate inquiry about the property. The biggest tip about anything on the internet – if it SOUNDS too good to be true, it probably is. Contact your local Consumer Protection office if you get a fishy email, and report it to the service where you’ve listed your property as well.
  • There is no shame in admitting you can’t handle the closing of the sale. Some people can do this process entirely on their own – but many use the services of a real estate attorney and a title company to handle all the legal aspects of the sale, disclosures that need to be made about the property, the list goes on. If the closing process sounds overwhelming, don’t be afraid to call someone.
  • Google is your friend… as always. Use Google to find out those real estate terms you don’t understand. Research what “staging” and “short sale” and “lien” mean. There are thousands of articles online to help you through this process from beginning to end. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel by braving it on your own. The information is there – utilize it.
  • Nobody wants to buy property they haven’t seen. Properties listed on the Internet get viewed more if they have a photo or two. Better yet, have a lot of photos and use as many as you can. This doesn’t mean have 6 shots of the tub all online – this means let your house tell it’s story…. “I have 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a pool, Jacuzzi, and a handmade brick barbeque area.” The goal of the photos is to take the personality out – take the photo of the room, the area, not the stuff that’s in it. An empty room in a photo can be good and bad. It may show “immediate move in condition” but it may also show that the property has been on the market for so long, the owner has already moved out and moved on. Even if you have to borrow or rent furniture to take pictures – it’s better than no pictures or an empty-room photo.
  • Lastly, have patience. It takes realtors a while to sell houses these days – you can be just as lucky trying to sell it yourself. Make sure you’ve had a physical appraisal done on your property to find out the value, find out what comparable homes have sold for in the area (you can search online for services that offer that information in a quick and easy digestible format, or you can take a day trip to the county office). Current national trends put the average time to sell a home (agent or not) at 4-6 months – some areas longer due to the market being saturated with soooo many properties for sale.

Disclaimer
This advice is just that… advice. It in no way replaces the professional advice of a lawyer or Realtor. Please be sure to seek proper legal advice in your area, to cover all of your bases.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/is-real-estate-possible-without-an-agent/feed/ 31 Tinting Windows on Houseshttp://chris.pirillo.com/tinting-windows-on-houses/ http://chris.pirillo.com/tinting-windows-on-houses/#comments Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:06:31 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/02/01/tinting-windows-on-houses/ Tinting Windows on Houses is a post from Chris Pirillo

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One of our community members works in the field of window tinting. He writes: “The window tinting industry is growing rapidly. When people talk about tinting, the first thing comes to their mind is cars. However, this list is full of tips for tinting your house.”

  • Saves energy You will be surprised that you can save up to 20% on your total heating and cooling bill, simply by having your windows tinted. Saving money is always nice.
  • Protects your stuff from fading Here is the great chance to protect valuable furniture and rugs. Most types of window film out there block 99% of UV Rays.
  • Reduces glare Annoying glare can be cut dramatically by window films, so blinds and drapes can stay open and occupants can continue to enjoy the view.
  • Do your homework Research different companies and what they offer. 3M is very well known name… but it doesnt mean it would be the best choice. Huper Optik has the ceramic technology which beats any metal films out there. It provides crystal clear view, and a High Defenition effect. It will not darken the room, but it will cut 85% of the heat and that annoying glare. Metal films are very reflective, where ceramic films are not. You’ll need to compare them, and decide which is right for you and your home.
  • It will pay for itself Prices range around $5-8 a square foot. Window film installation has a payback period of 3 years in most cases, making it an extremely cost effective improvement for homes or businesses.
  • Bonus tip You can get a tax credit on the Enery star logo film. Huper Optik was also voted one of the ten inventions for going “green”.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> Tinting Windows on Houses is a post from Chris Pirillo

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

One of our community members works in the field of window tinting. He writes: “The window tinting industry is growing rapidly. When people talk about tinting, the first thing comes to their mind is cars. However, this list is full of tips for tinting your house.”

  • Saves energy You will be surprised that you can save up to 20% on your total heating and cooling bill, simply by having your windows tinted. Saving money is always nice.
  • Protects your stuff from fading Here is the great chance to protect valuable furniture and rugs. Most types of window film out there block 99% of UV Rays.
  • Reduces glare Annoying glare can be cut dramatically by window films, so blinds and drapes can stay open and occupants can continue to enjoy the view.
  • Do your homework Research different companies and what they offer. 3M is very well known name… but it doesnt mean it would be the best choice. Huper Optik has the ceramic technology which beats any metal films out there. It provides crystal clear view, and a High Defenition effect. It will not darken the room, but it will cut 85% of the heat and that annoying glare. Metal films are very reflective, where ceramic films are not. You’ll need to compare them, and decide which is right for you and your home.
  • It will pay for itself Prices range around $5-8 a square foot. Window film installation has a payback period of 3 years in most cases, making it an extremely cost effective improvement for homes or businesses.
  • Bonus tip You can get a tax credit on the Enery star logo film. Huper Optik was also voted one of the ten inventions for going “green”.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/tinting-windows-on-houses/feed/ 34 Pictures of our New Househttp://chris.pirillo.com/pictures-of-our-new-house/ http://chris.pirillo.com/pictures-of-our-new-house/#comments Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:38:27 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2006/12/25/pictures-of-our-new-house/ Pictures of our New House is a post from Chris Pirillo

We moved into our new house a few weeks ago, and I think we’ve emptied just about every single box! As you can see from the photo thumbnails, Ponzi still has to empty the boxes for her new home office. Seems like she’s been doing laundry non-stop, and we finally got all the clothes picked up off the bedroom floor and sorted semi-appropriately (seeing as we don’t have any drawers in our new master closet). It’s been slow going, and I’m very anxious to feel that “settled in” feeling before too long.

Gingerbread House 2006 (9)Gingerbread House 2006 (8)Gingerbread House 2006 (12)Gingerbread House 2006 (11)Gingerbread House 2006 (10)Gingerbread House 2006 (7)Gingerbread House 2006 (6)Gingerbread House 2006

We have a small bit of roof work that needs to be done, as you can tell. That, and I think I’ve got a long list of “curiosities” for an electrician to review at some point in the near future. Today, I hope to put a few more things away and prep our exercise room for when we return from vacation. Home ownership is awesome, but it’s also a lot of hard work. I must thank every single one of our friends who have helped or offered to help us through this season – I would be going insane without every single one of you.

Oh no! Wicket just ate our chimney!

]]> Pictures of our New House is a post from Chris Pirillo

We moved into our new house a few weeks ago, and I think we’ve emptied just about every single box! As you can see from the photo thumbnails, Ponzi still has to empty the boxes for her new home office. Seems like she’s been doing laundry non-stop, and we finally got all the clothes picked up off the bedroom floor and sorted semi-appropriately (seeing as we don’t have any drawers in our new master closet). It’s been slow going, and I’m very anxious to feel that “settled in” feeling before too long.

Gingerbread House 2006 (9)Gingerbread House 2006 (8)Gingerbread House 2006 (12)Gingerbread House 2006 (11)Gingerbread House 2006 (10)Gingerbread House 2006 (7)Gingerbread House 2006 (6)Gingerbread House 2006

We have a small bit of roof work that needs to be done, as you can tell. That, and I think I’ve got a long list of “curiosities” for an electrician to review at some point in the near future. Today, I hope to put a few more things away and prep our exercise room for when we return from vacation. Home ownership is awesome, but it’s also a lot of hard work. I must thank every single one of our friends who have helped or offered to help us through this season – I would be going insane without every single one of you.

Oh no! Wicket just ate our chimney!

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/pictures-of-our-new-house/feed/ 5 Another “Moving” Dayhttp://chris.pirillo.com/another-moving-day/ http://chris.pirillo.com/another-moving-day/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:04:41 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2006/12/04/another-moving-day/ Another “Moving” Day is a post from Chris Pirillo

  1. The “moving” is actually finished now
  2. Unpacking boxes will take longer than expected – need help
  3. Ponzi’s starting to feel better
  4. I’m starting to get a post-nasal drip
  5. Spent too much at Target tonight for incidentals
  6. Have 2,000 emails waiting for me to address
  7. Pixie is snoring at Ponzi’s feet
  8. Wedding tasks kick into high gear tomorrow
  9. Ponzi is not snoring yet
  10. Completely forgot to take a shower today – oops
  11. Vista’s Windows Live Mail’s IMAP spam filter is rancid
  12. New refigerator, washer, and dryer (all LG) coming in the morning
  13. Ponzi didn’t put anything fun in our wedding registry
]]> Another “Moving” Day is a post from Chris Pirillo

  1. The “moving” is actually finished now
  2. Unpacking boxes will take longer than expected – need help
  3. Ponzi’s starting to feel better
  4. I’m starting to get a post-nasal drip
  5. Spent too much at Target tonight for incidentals
  6. Have 2,000 emails waiting for me to address
  7. Pixie is snoring at Ponzi’s feet
  8. Wedding tasks kick into high gear tomorrow
  9. Ponzi is not snoring yet
  10. Completely forgot to take a shower today – oops
  11. Vista’s Windows Live Mail’s IMAP spam filter is rancid
  12. New refigerator, washer, and dryer (all LG) coming in the morning
  13. Ponzi didn’t put anything fun in our wedding registry
]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/another-moving-day/feed/ 7 Homeownershttp://chris.pirillo.com/homeowners/ http://chris.pirillo.com/homeowners/#comments Sat, 02 Dec 2006 07:51:03 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2006/12/02/homeowners/ Homeowners is a post from Chris Pirillo

  1. We signed documents for our house this morning.
  2. Ponzi and I became happy new homeowners this afternoon.
  3. Half of our “old home” is stuffed in boxes right now.
  4. Ponzi and I decided to spend the night in our new house tonight.
  5. Wicket and Pixie are digging their new digs.
  6. Domino’s Pizza guy just hit our doorstep.
  7. We have to drive back to help the movers move things here tomorrow morning.
  8. This pull-out sofabed is quite uncomfortable.
  9. Our gas fireplace really heats up the room quickly.
  10. I’ll upload a high-def video home tour for you as soon as I can.
]]> Homeowners is a post from Chris Pirillo

  1. We signed documents for our house this morning.
  2. Ponzi and I became happy new homeowners this afternoon.
  3. Half of our “old home” is stuffed in boxes right now.
  4. Ponzi and I decided to spend the night in our new house tonight.
  5. Wicket and Pixie are digging their new digs.
  6. Domino’s Pizza guy just hit our doorstep.
  7. We have to drive back to help the movers move things here tomorrow morning.
  8. This pull-out sofabed is quite uncomfortable.
  9. Our gas fireplace really heats up the room quickly.
  10. I’ll upload a high-def video home tour for you as soon as I can.
]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/homeowners/feed/ 16 The Home Inspectionhttp://chris.pirillo.com/the-home-inspection/ http://chris.pirillo.com/the-home-inspection/#comments Sat, 11 Nov 2006 02:40:06 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2006/11/10/the-home-inspection/ The Home Inspection is a post from Chris Pirillo

Immediately after meeting with our wedding DJ, we headed over to our “new” house (which is currently in escrow and should close at the end of the month). It was time to meet with a home inspector, who had been reviewing the structure for a few hours prior. Even with newer builds, you’re crazy to complete the transaction without a full home inspection – and you’d be lucky to find a home inspector who is half as detail-oriented as ours was.

He pointed out a few things that needed to be addressed in the short-term, but nothing was sending up red flags. I was more impressed with what the home inspector gave us at the end of our meeting: a “Homeowner’s Handbook” (expanded edition, including information on earthquake safety). It came wrapped inside a binder, along with a general guide for our impending inspection report.

I don’t know if I’ll ever read or retain all of the information contained inside the inspection kit, but it’s nice to know that it’s here for future perusal. There’s even a tab dedicated to the life expectancy for general products, items, and materials in the average home.

]]> The Home Inspection is a post from Chris Pirillo

Immediately after meeting with our wedding DJ, we headed over to our “new” house (which is currently in escrow and should close at the end of the month). It was time to meet with a home inspector, who had been reviewing the structure for a few hours prior. Even with newer builds, you’re crazy to complete the transaction without a full home inspection – and you’d be lucky to find a home inspector who is half as detail-oriented as ours was.

He pointed out a few things that needed to be addressed in the short-term, but nothing was sending up red flags. I was more impressed with what the home inspector gave us at the end of our meeting: a “Homeowner’s Handbook” (expanded edition, including information on earthquake safety). It came wrapped inside a binder, along with a general guide for our impending inspection report.

I don’t know if I’ll ever read or retain all of the information contained inside the inspection kit, but it’s nice to know that it’s here for future perusal. There’s even a tab dedicated to the life expectancy for general products, items, and materials in the average home.

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/the-home-inspection/feed/ 5 House Huntinghttp://chris.pirillo.com/house-hunting/ http://chris.pirillo.com/house-hunting/#comments Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:56:02 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2006/11/03/house-hunting/ House Hunting is a post from Chris Pirillo

Ponzi and I have hit the housing market three times over the past couple of years, but it’s just now starting to favor buyers (”us”) over sellers (”them”). We’ve been working with Stan – who is quickly becoming the blogger’s choice for real estate agents in the Seattle area. Last night, I scribbled a list of personal home search guidelines:

Newer is Better – Classic charm is classy, so long as you don’t mind performing random updates throughout the years. “Home repairâ€Â? is a given for any building, but I think the various problems we’ve experienced in our current rental house has made us a bit gunshy in wanting to buy a structure that’s more than five years old.

I’ve shared nine other house hunt honing points inside the “new” Lockergnome Nexus (expect a separate post on that effort soon, as we’re looking for countless WordPress knowledgeers). Finding a house is… stressful.

]]> House Hunting is a post from Chris Pirillo

Ponzi and I have hit the housing market three times over the past couple of years, but it’s just now starting to favor buyers (”us”) over sellers (”them”). We’ve been working with Stan – who is quickly becoming the blogger’s choice for real estate agents in the Seattle area. Last night, I scribbled a list of personal home search guidelines:

Newer is Better – Classic charm is classy, so long as you don’t mind performing random updates throughout the years. “Home repairâ€Â? is a given for any building, but I think the various problems we’ve experienced in our current rental house has made us a bit gunshy in wanting to buy a structure that’s more than five years old.

I’ve shared nine other house hunt honing points inside the “new” Lockergnome Nexus (expect a separate post on that effort soon, as we’re looking for countless WordPress knowledgeers). Finding a house is… stressful.

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