Caligal, it really sounds like you want to stay with your current home. However, I'll just point out that right now the inventory of foreclosed homes gives people unprecedented chances to obtain homes they could not hope to have before and many will not be able to afford in future (let's hope no more such "wonderful" home markets). I don't mean go looking just for a bigger home (although in your case some additional size would be nice), but rather a lifestyle improvement: A decent home in a location that is particularly desirable to you. You know, location, location, location. Things like good schools, a pretty sociable neighborhood, close to family, en route between friends and mall (they'll be dropping in), favorite amenities close by (cows in pastures or high-density shopping, your choice), good proximity and transportion to work. Whatever floats your boat. If you're not already in a place you'd really like to raise your children and even be happy growing old, this current opportunity to make your home there should not be passed up for any but the most important reasons.

My contractor is staying in my FL house over the summer while we are back in PA, so similar situation. He is doing work in exchange for rent. It works out to the equivalent of about $500/month in rent (house would normally rent for about $1400/month but obviously would be hard to find a six month lease in off-season). He is also paying utilities. From my perception, it is a tremendous benefit to have someone there that I trust when I am not there. I look at it as house sitting. He's getting any mail that comes, his presence will make it less likely someone would break in, and I like having someone there to make sure nothing goes wrong w/ the house, to board up for storms, etc. and to check in w/ to make sure the house is OK. If you aren't renting the house out anyway, any money is a bonus plus you get the benefit of having someone there if issues arise.

When I told my GC I wanted an outlet behind my drawer (to plug in cellphones inside the drawer), I heard ''we don't do that; it's against Code.'' This was Waaaayyy Back in 2004, and no one I know of had done it yet, of course...surely it Must Be Against the CODE! I had to e-x-p-l-a-i-n...very patiently...and in Great Detail...why I was pretty sure it could be done. At that time, people were putting outlets in appliance garages (are people still putting AP's in?) but no one had ever yet tried to put an outlet behind a drawer box! To those of you with a tenancious spirit, please congratulate yourselves on surviving the ''experts''! I cannot believe I survived the Kitchen to remodel my bathroom; and Thank God That's Over. My basement needs attention, but at this time, I Simply Refuse to go down there...

Here is a non all inclusive list of what my responsibilities and duties are as a Buyers Agent (I'm sure I can add items as they come to mind. Tasks are not necessarily done in the order shown) Fiduciary Duties Of A Real Estate Agent A real estate broker who becomes an agent of a seller or buyer is deemed to be a fiduciary. Other examples of fiduciaries are trustees, executors, and guardians. As a fiduciary, a real estate broker is held by law to owe specific duties to his/her principal (the person who they are representing), in addition to duties or obligations set forth in a listing agreement, buyer representation agreement, or other contract of employment. These specific fiduciary duties include: Loyalty Obedience Disclosure Confidentiality Reasonable Care and Diligence Accounting Loyalty One of the most fundamental fiduciary duties an agent owes to the principal. The duty obligates a real estate broker to act at all times, solely in the best interests of the principal, excluding all other interests, including that of the broker. Buyers Agent: Must do everything possible to gain an advantage for the Buyer. Obedience An agent is obligated to promptly and efficiently obey all lawful instructions of his/her principal that conform to the purpose of the agency relationship. However, the duty does not include an obligation to obey unlawful instructions, such as instructions to not market a property to minorities or to misrepresent the condition of a property. Buyers Agent: Must obey all lawful instruction of the Buyer, is not obligated to obey instructions from the Seller. Disclosure An agent must disclose to the principal all known relevant and material information that pertains to the scope of the agency. The duty includes any facts affecting the value or desirability of the property, as well as any other relevant information pertaining to the transaction, such as the other party's bargaining position, the identity of all potential purchasers, information concerning the ability or willingness of the buyer to offer a higher price, any intent to subdivide or resell the property for a profit. Buyers Agent: Must tell Buyer everything they can find out about the Seller including the motivation for selling and any reasons the Seller may have for wanting a quick sale. Must tell Buyer everything they can find out about the property, including any known or suspected problems with the property or area. Confidentiality An agent is obligated to safeguard his/her principal's lawful confidences and secrets. Therefore, a real estate broker must keep confidential any information that may weaken a principal's bargaining position. The duty of confidentiality precludes a broker who represents a seller from disclosing to a buyer that the seller can, or must, sell a property below the listed price. Conversely, a broker who represents a buyer is prohibited from disclosing to a seller that the buyer can, or will, pay more than what has been offered for a property. Buyers Agent: Must keep all information about the Buyer confidential, including the Buyer's ability or willingness to pay more for the property than they are offering as well as the Buyers motivation for buying. Reasonable care and diligence An agent is obligated to use reasonable care and diligence when pursuing the principal's affairs. The standard of care expected of a buyer's or seller's real estate broker is that of a competent real estate professional. By reason of his/her license, a broker is considered to have skill and expertise in real estate matters superior to that of the average person. Buyers Agent: Must prepare themselves through education and study to competently represent the Buyer in all matters. Accounting An agent is obligated to account for all money or property that belongs to his/her principal entrusted to that agent. The duty compels a real estate broker to safeguard any money, deeds, or other documents entrusted to them relative to their client's transactions of affairs. Buyers Agent: Must account to Buyer for any money or documents entrusted to them. When starting to work with a buyer months or weeks out: 1. Go over brokerage disclosure with buyer 2. Find out buyers needs as to size, price and location 3. Sign Buyer Broker Agreement 4. Meet buyer at lender & get GFE 5. e-mail a lists that meets their needs 6. After a few lists find out if its applicable or to make changes 7. Preview homes if time permits 8. Check with lender about buyer qualification & get pre-qual letter 9. When meeting with buyer 1st time in the office, reaffirm requirements 10. Do buyers want to see FSBOs and should I look for them? 11. Depending on buyers timeframe tour target neighborhood & look at homes 12. Upon home selection, write the offer accompanied with earnest money 13. Depending on the offer price, a CMA might be needed prior to 14. Make an offer strategy 15. Address inclusions & exclusions of Property 16. Offer is accepted, follow the timelines for: a. Alternative Earnest Money Deadline (if applicable) b. Loan Application Deadline c. Loan Conditions Deadline d. Buyer's Credit Information Deadline (if applicable) e. Disapproval of Buyer's Credit Information Deadline (if applicable) f. Existing Loan Documents Deadline (if applicable) g. Existing Loan Documents Objection Deadline (if applicable) h. Loan Transfer Approval Deadline (if applicable) i. Appraisal Deadline j. Title Deadline (I meet you to review) k. Title Objection Deadline l. Survey Deadline m. Survey Objection Deadline n. Document Request Deadline o. Common Interest Community (CIC) Documents Deadline p. CIC Documents Objection Deadline (I meet you to review the following) 1.) Are there any unpaid expenses or assessments on the property? 2.) Are there any unpaid special assessments on the property? 3.) Are there any unpaid liens on the property? 4.) Are any special assessments being contemplated on the property? 5.) Are any increases being contemplated to the periodic fee? 6.) Is there a monthly association fee? 7.) Is there a quarterly association fee? 8.) Is there a semi-annual association fee? 9.) Is there an annual association fee? 10.) Is the property subject to more than one association fee? 11.) Must a buyer prepay monthly association dues at time of closing? If so, how many months? 12.) Is a working capital reserve deposit required from the buyer? 13.) Is a transfer fee imposed by the association upon sale of the property? 14.) Is a fee imposed by the association for providing a status letter? 15.) Is there a charge for common area access devices? (pool keys, common hallway keys, etc.) 16.) Are any other fees imposed by the association upon sale of the property? 17.) Are there any violations of covenants that the seller has been advised of? 18.) Are there any existing or pending law suits against the association and/or the property? 19.) Is the association still under the control of the developer? 20.) Is there any damage to this property, any common areas, any adjacent properties, or violations of the covenants or rules and regulations that could cause a lien against the property? 21.) Is the sale of this property subject to a right of first refusal by the association or a member? 22.) Does this property include the use of? Deeded Exclusive use (a.) Storage unit(s) (b.) Parking space(s) (c.) Carport(s) (d.) Garage(s) 23.) The regular association dues includes the following: Management Insurance premiums (a.) Structure(s) (b.) Common area liability Common area/element repair, maintenance or replacement Trash collection Water Sewer Heat Hot water Snow removal Roof Indoor swimming pool Outdoor swimming pool Hot tub Tennis court(s) Club house Perimeter fencing Cable/satellite TV Gas service Electric service Road maintenance Common area utilities Exterior maintenance Other q. Off-Record Matters Deadline r. Off-Record Matters Objection Deadline s. Right of First Refusal Deadline (if applicable) t. Seller's Property Disclosure Deadline (we will review together) u. Inspection Objection Deadline (I meet you at the inspection) v. Inspection Resolution Deadline (identify repair items to be corrected) w. Property Insurance Objection Deadline (CLUE Report) x. Closing Date & Final Walk-through (I meet you at walk-through) y. Possession Date & Time z. Acceptance Deadline Date & Time 17. Go over the following Documents with the Buyer a. Review Sellers Property Disclosure b. Review Square Footage Disclosure c. Review Mold Disclosure d. Review Water Source Disclosure e. Review Lead Based Paint Disclosure (if applicable) f. Review Special Taxing Districts (if applicable) g. Go over Inspection Report Prior to closing: a. Contact Utility Companies ( I have list) b. Contact your Home Owners Insurance c. Review HUD 1 and provide copy to buyer d. Buyer get cashiers check made out to Title Co. At closing: a. Make sure everyone has all required docs b. Get keys & Garage door openers