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Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 27, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I would recommend against working with a realtor. Unless you have a very close relationship with the realtor, they will get you market rate housing. If they had a screaming bargain, they would buy it themselves or flip it to a friend before they show it to a stranger. Market rate houses don't leave meat on the bone for a budding landlord, you will make minimal profit. You need to get something at a below market price, if only by cutting out the realtor's commission and finding a seller who hasn't listed yet to get 5% breathing room.

Working with a realtor will not ensure that you face no upkeep costs. I can share many horror stories. Realtors don't know what they're looking at, or might not tell you if they did. Most cultivate intentional blindness to ensure they don't need to disclose.