Don Tepper

Despite the previous answer, after receiving additional information from you on what you're looking for (for instance, affordability, tax rates, traffic/commute options), a competent Realtor who knows the area would be perfectly safe, ethically, to make recommendations. Or if you wanted an informed opinion in which areas are most likely to appreciate in the next few years.

What we can't do is answer your question if you say you want to live in an area that is primarily one ethnic or racial group, or in an area that is devoid of a particular racial or ethnic group. And there are similar limitations regarding age, handicap, and a number of other factors. We also can't directly answer the question: "Which one has the better school system?" Because "better" is a relative term: You may consider better to be, for instance, the average SAT scores while someone else may consider "better" to be ones with great special education programs.

So: Define what, in your mind, consistitutes "better." Recognize that there are some areas (race, ethnicity, age of population, religion, and so on) that a Realtor can't address. Then discuss your likes and dislikes with a Realtor familiar with the areas you're interested in.

Hope that helps. - Yesterday, 08:44

Contact a contractor who is authorized to do such work. Just a "local contractor" doesn't meet that qualification. Sure, you can find contractors who'll just rip the stuff out...but that's not the way to do it.

One other possibility: Check with an expert to see if the asbestos can be sealed. There's a technique that seals/encapsulates the asbestos insulation.

Any asbestos remediation, however, is expensive. However, the cost you're imagining may be higher than, or lower than, the actual cost.

Good luck. - Yesterday, 08:36

Great advice from Bill: "Ones that are overpriced."

Great advice from Tania: "a home in a "bad" school district, a home that is over priced, not show ready, once where the sellers make it difficult for the buyers agents to make apointments and bring te buyers in to even see the house! "

And a good observation from (ready for this?) Eric: "an insiders approach at buying at a discount." He's a bit harsh toward Realtors, but there are many ways to find "deals."

Answering your specific question about the hardest types of homes to sell, I instantly thought: "overpriced." Even not-so-desirable homes (awkward layout, difficult commute, weak school district) will sell at the right price. So a seller has to price a home properly, and a buyer has to know the real value of a property.

There are some general "constants" that make a home difficult to sell. A poor school district usually is one. Bad neighborhood is another. Difficult/long commute is another. Poor condition of the property is another. Now, there are exceptions to all those: Someone without kids and never planning to have any won't care as much about school districts. A difficult or long commute doesn't matter if the person is going to work from home. Poor property condition is OK if the buyer is looking for a rehab property. But each of those factors will narrow the market for potential buyers.

Then there are local tastes. Look at the dialog between Jeff and J R. In some areas, buyers generally want and expect a certain style or room placement. What's popular in one area may be a very difficult sell in another area. That means you need a pretty good feel for what's popular and what isn't.

Finally, we get to Eric's strategy. I don't know his, specifically, but I'm an investor (investor/investor, not a Realtor who just buys and holds) and there are many ways to find good deals. A good, creative Realtor knows many of them. But there are deals out there that never appear on the MLS. The strategy, in brief, is to find motivated sellers. You'll find motivated sellers who own new homes and old homes. Motivated sellers who own updated homes and homes that have had no updates since they were built in the 1950s. Motivated sellers who are listed on the MLS and (many) who aren't. And there are hundreds of ways to find motivated sellers. Some investors use direct mail...and/or "bandit signs"...and/or car signs...and/or check the local courthouse for divorces...and/or check the local courthouse for landlord/tenant (unlawful detainer) cases)...and/or check the local courthouse for probate cases...and/or use pay-per-click ads on Google or Yahoo...and/or establish relationships with mortgage brokers...and/or establish relationships with Realtors...and/or make friends with their local mail delivery person...and/or put up signs/cards in their local supermarket or convenience store...and/or drive through neighborhoods looking for homes that don't look well maintained...and/or identify possible neighborhoods and then just knock on doors and ask whether the occupant is aware of anyone interested in selling a home...and/or put listings on Craigslist...and on and on and on.

So: Know the true values for properties (whether you're buying or selling). Know what strengths or drawback there are in the neighborhood. Know what the local tastes and preferences are. And deal with motivated sellers (when buying).

Hope that helps. - Yesterday, 08:18

Try to find a tax planner who is a CPA. Or possibly a lawyer who specializes in estate planning.

Although I know very little about that area (so treat this advice accordingly), a tax planner or lawyer might well advise against putting your child on title now. There are all sorts of difficulties arising from that. First, if your child runs into some sort of problem, gets sued, gets a judgment against him, etc., then those suing can come after his assets...which now includes YOUR home. You need better asset protection.

Second, if you have a mortgage on your property, check the "due on sale" clause. By giving up equitable interest in your property, you may be allowing the lender to invoke the due on sale clause, resulting in your mortgage being due and payable immediately.

Ask your financial planner or estate planning lawyer about trusts. There are several types (the more common estate planning trust, the somewhat less common land trust) that probably would serve your needs (and protect you and your children) a lot better. Please do that before simply putting children on title.

Hope that helps. - Yesterday, 07:43

Some agents do specialize in modular homes. Many stay away both because of the comparatively low prices (and, thus, low commissions) and because modulars are a whole different market.

In my area (Northern Virginia) most owners tend to sell them themselves. And that's especially true when the homes are in a park, so the owner pays monthly park rent. In that case, really, no real estate is being sold. It's just the home itself which is title and handled just like an automobile is. (Check out Ohio laws and regulations; I don't know whether Ohio is different.)

Hope that helps. - Yesterday, 07:33