Posts made by author 'Frank Plesko'

You've probably heard the commercials on radio or TV talking about home title theft.  A person obtains a blank quit-claim deed on your home, then forges your name onto the deed.  They then file it in the county where your home is located.  After that they can borrow against your home's equity, sell the home, etc.  Then it's weeks until you figure out you lost your home.

This type of pitch is out there in radio and TV, selling home title lock protections.  Prices vary, but $80 per year for a million dollars in protection is the common pitch. 

What are the odds this would ever happen?  What are the odds this insurance policy would ever pay out?

After checking several resources on this matter, there's one thing I can say for sure.  It is HARD and RARE that this event happens.  It is TRUE that anyone can forge your name onto any document, including a deed to try and convey title to the forger.  This forged deed can be filed in public re...

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(article published 8/19/21:  updated 4/14/22)

You've received the postcards in the mail, viewed the TV commercials, and have seen the billboards stating, "We'll buy your home for cash", or "Contact us today for a cash offer on your home".  These investor-groups range from very large corporations, to smaller area investors.  But they all have one thing in common.  They will give you an offer on your home for less than it is worth, then turn around and sell it, making a tidy profit.  

How do i-Buyers come up with their offers?

Many of these buyers use AVM (automated valuation models) to base their cash offers on your home.  These AVMs can vary wildly, and Realtors generally deem them as an unreliable way to price your home.  These companies will give you data to try and convin...

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As a Realtor, I'm all about adding resale value to a home.  After 29 years in the business, it's just a natural tendency of mine.  I've rejected solar on the basis that it takes too many years to break even on the investment, thus it's not worth it financially. 

I finally allowed a solar salesperson into my home, and he gave us a full presentation.  I have known this young man for many years, and I know him and his family to be honest.  He has been selling solar for 4 years now, so he is experienced at it.  What follows are notes from that presentation.  If you are considering adding solar to your home, be sure to read this article. 

How Solar Works

Your home is connected 24/7/365 to your local power grid.  While you use your electric company's power during the day, your panels collect energy simultaneously.  You sell back the power your panels collect to the utility at night.  This is called "net metering", and it's what reduces y...

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What are the best home improvement projects for ROI (return on investment)?