Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

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House Won't Sell

  My home is not selling well due to todays market. We are considering renting it out for a year to 18 months. Are there good reasons to have a realtor handle it versus us handling it. And What would be a reasonable fee for the realtor to handle it?
NJ
 
  Property managers often charge 10 percent of rent collected.  Each one would probably have a different fee schedule. 
You should run the figures carefully -- expected rent, minus taxes, landlord's insurance, something for repairs, your other expenses.  I don't know your situation or why you need to leave your house, so I can't really advise you.  I would suggest, though, going to the library and studying a few books on Landlording.  You'll be much better equipped to decide after that.
    Edith
Originally published on September 3, 2008
 
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