FAIR OR NOTHome & real estate
Everything on the site about home & real estate: practices to vote on, common pricing problems, and the tactics companies use to charge more.
Fair or not?
HOA rules, fines and foreclosure powers
Is it fair for a homeowners association to fine you, raise fees, or even foreclose on your home?
Apartment lease fine print
Is it fair for a lease to hide mandatory fees, auto-renew, or make you waive your rights?
Dual agency in real estate
Is it fair for one agent or brokerage to represent both the buyer and the seller?
How real estate commissions are paid
Is it fair that agent commissions are built into the home price in ways many buyers never see?
Referral fees and kickbacks
Is it fair when the person recommending a provider is paid by that provider?
Common pricing problems
Home security monitoring
Alarm and camera plans with long contracts, add-on fees, and hard-to-end monitoring.
PayHome warranties
Home repair contracts with service fees, claim denials, and fine-print exclusions.
PayApartment and rental fees
Application, admin and 'convenience' fees can push rent well above the listed price.
PayUtility and energy supply plans
Low teaser rates can turn into high variable rates. Know your plan before you switch.
PayMoving companies
Lowball quotes and surprise charges at delivery. Check movers before you book.
PayHomeowners insurance
Big deductibles, rising renewals and gaps like flood that many owners miss
PayCommercial property insurance
Coinsurance penalties, low limits and exclusions that can shrink a business claim
PayRenters insurance
Low-cost coverage your landlord's policy doesn't provide, with limits to check
PayFlood insurance
Separate coverage most home and renters policies leave out, with a waiting period
Something unfair in home & real estate we haven’t covered? Share what happened.
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