Ask The Realtor!

What are some of the best investments you can make to a home for a good resale value?

Some of the better upgrades/renovations that will provide you with a good ROI (Return on Investment) would be installing or refinishing hardwood floors, updating the kitchen with granite or corian counter tops, new cabinets and lighting, updating the bathroom, painting the home in earth colors, new windows, new heating and/or AC systems if they are older, a fresh bright color scheme on the exterior of the home and outside living space. 

I had my home under contract as a For Sale By Owner.  All the paperwork was signed, my husband constructed the Agreement of Sale, and all terms were agreed upon.  One of the terms stated that if the buyer backed out for any reason they would not receive their deposit back.  After they had a home inspection completed they decided they did not want the house but now they want their deposit back.  My husband is adamant that they do not receive it and now they are threatening a lawsuit.  Aren't we protected by the contract stating they do not receive their deposit back for any reason?

I'm really sorry, I do not want to sound incredibly blunt, but there is no way around it.  This is exactly why sellers and buyers should utilize Realtors when selling and/or purchasing a home.  If selling homes is not something you do everyday, you simply do not have enough experience in doing so.  There are so many problems that can occur and just because you feel you are right doesn't make you so.  I am shocked to learn that a buyer signed an Agreement of Sale that was drawn up by your husband.  I have said it so many times...there is much more involved to selling a house than simply putting a sign on the front lawn.  The "much more" takes an experienced Realtor to navigate through.  Most of the work begins AFTER the sale is made.

Just because something is written and signed does not mean it can be enforced.  PA and Federal law supercedes anything you want to write into an agreement.  I do not have a copy of your Agreement of Sale, nor am I an attorney.  I'm afraid in this situation you have no choice but to contact an attorney and decide what needs to be done.  Unfortunately saving on commission probably will cost you more in the long run.