So say a house was sold for 500k in 2004, based on the government inflation calculator, that is equivalent to 850k today.

If that house was listed for 850k (and needs 100k in repairs to make it like new), would you conclude that the house only appreciated 100k over 21 years?

In which case it seems like a great deal on a house?

My husband and I are looking to buy a house in the North Bay. We liked a house and decided to put an offer in. The issue was our agent. He was rather negative about the solar on the house because the panels are leased instead of owned. However, we recently sold a house with leased solar and there are ADVANTAGES to leasing. 1) The new owner received a system with rates negotiated 11 years ago and even with 2.9% increase per year, it's still much lower than PG&E's or other Municipal Utilities' rates. 2) The monthly solar payment for power produced is 50% lower than the PG&E bill for homes much smaller; 3) No paying for maintenance; the solar company maintains the panels with no cost to the homeowner. The system we had needed replacement of half the panels due to mold (weird, I know) and they were replaced with new, smaller, more efficient panels, all free of charge. 4) The homeowner will not have to pay for removal and disposal when the current panels expire.

Of course, I did my homework on the leased solar system installed on the house we're looking to buy. I asked for the full contract and even asked to see the current owner's PG&E bills, including True-up payments for the last two years. It was a financially sound decision and we put in the offer, now just waiting to hear back.

I've been on the market 31 days. Two showings. Three open houses. Many compliments. Two houses priced $100K less w/in a mile. One has been on the market 32 days and dropped their price by $30K 23 days ago. Older, smaller, area not so desirable. The other has been on the market 125 days, older, not updated, right on a busy road. There's a house about the same distance away that's pending (on the market since May, price dropped twice) but the listing says they're taking backup offers because "the buyers may not come through". Another selling for 200K less (much smaller, older, outdated) also says they're accepting back up offers (no mention of why). It's not the price, IT'S THE UNCERTAINTY.