Most of my opinions from the brokerage side are from the curse of having had a broker's license.

I can give more information if needed.Thanks for reading and I appreciate honest opinions.

Sean D You're going to get a lot of varying opinions and differences on this.

I'd get a quote from a house-leveling company and get an opinion from a structural engineer or a house framer (cheaper).

My opinion......Good luck!

Hello BP,I'd like to get opinions from fellow BP members on the following question.When a person first becomes a real estate agent, they have plenty of costs/expenses: both personal and business expenses.My question is: in order to be able to pay for costs like marketing, advertising, fees, phone, computer, rent, gas, car - how do you feel about a new real estate agent using debt to be able to pay for those costs and hold them over for a certain period of time until they're able to start cashing commission checks?

I look at sales comparables and population/demographic trends, and look over the area on a map and on Google Earth.Second, I contact the local citizens with regards to the building and if possible, the previous ownership.Police Department can tell me insider's opinion and can give me a breakdown of crime in the area.Fire department - have they had any emergencies at the building recently.City Inspector - are there any outstanding violations?

The other agent knows all the ins and it's of inspections, appraisals, financing and will have his buyers interests in mind not yours.My opinion is that not using an agent will actually cost you much more than the commissions you think you are saving.

Hopefully, someone else can give you some opinions.

I'm basing my opinions on the fact that my lender could care less when the new rule came out, and I have not been notified of any major changes.