A few months ago, I did a maintenance check on all my house, new smoke alarm batteries, new CH/A filters, hose out the condenser, etc.   

I did not mean to infer they are and used their cases purely as education what can happen if someone is found to be brokering without a license. 

. :-)But I understand what you're getting at.From a purely technical standpoint, the buyer isn't paying the commission, the seller is.No one is saying that the listing agent is "free," but it's the seller's burden to bear it in most transactions regardless of how much they sell their house above or below list price.Yes, pure semantics, the buyer cut a check for the house.

In terms of what you should do with your profits/additional savings, there is a pure math answer and an emotional answer.The pure math answer is to do whatever makes/saves you the most money. 

Thanks,John Tan I would focus more on what you want to accomplish.Are you looking for a pure cash flow play?

Auto valuations such as Zillow's Zestimate are pure garbage here.

@Martin S, Those "we buy houses for cash" signs that you call BS, pure and simple, work!

If you're looking at affordability from a pure '$ value' standpoint, then South Atlanta (Riverdale, College Park, Forest Park, Conley, Stone Mountain) are going to be more affordable for a first time home buyer. 3/2 ARVs in these areas run between $240k-$280k. 

She also said etc....further insinuating there are more undisclosed issues that are not purely aesthetic. 

As a basis I look to generate $1000 minimum per month of pure cash flow (after cap ex / prop mgmt) for $100k cash invested into properties.