I see many transfers from a person to a person of the same name for $0. One or two might be a coincidence, but as many as I see, something is happening, and I don't know what it is.

Why are people selling themselves their own houses, and why can't they get a better price? Or else, what's actually going on there?

Oh, Cheap Jim, I'm glad you mentioned it. It's best to uncheck "Non-Arms Length Other" while you're on the "Property Sales" page. (In fact, you might only want "Arms-Length Improved.")

To the best of my knowledge, the $0 transactions are generally refinances. Another non-arms-length transaction would be a parent giving or selling a home to his or her child.

I guessed it might be something like that, but knowing is better than guessing. Thanks.

When a person re-finances or gets their mortgage re-done b/c it was too much for them to pay - why is this not reflected in public records somewhere as a price adjustment. Seems to me - these kind of things affect the actual values of homes around the person who couldn't pay what they originally signed up for. If a person is listing(hoping) their home for $600,000 b/c Joe Bailout bought(actually agreed to pay a bank) a house down the street for $500,000 - if Joe Bailout is now only paying the equivalent of $350,000 (or maybe less) after the discount- seems to me that would erase that purchase for the most part......thoughts?

Hi, Dan Trump -- mortgages are public records, if perhaps not in exactly the way you mean. One way to see them is at www.mdlandrec.net, which requires a (free) sign-up.

That looks like a good tool, although it'll take some getting used to. I'll have to incorporate it into my search.

I've been hunting for a good site that shows all the new construction in the area. I tend to only find sites listing some of the big huge builders while the smaller local guys don't even get listed. Does anyone have any advice for getting this info? I might just do things the old fashioned way and start stopping by what look to be developments one of these days.

Anyone have suggestions for BigDragon? There's always the multiple-listing service, if you're working with an agent (or go to one of the agent websites that lets you search for listings).

Thanks, Jamie. I signed up for that site. We will see what happens. I am just looking for transparency in the real estate game. I am not a realtor or in the business (I am just educated, own a home and care) but it seems there is just so many lies and mis-truths in the real estate industry. Why aren't people being more honest about what is going on? Housing prices only rose the past 10 years or so b/c of an unprecedented financial scam. Now- whoever buys at these still inflated levels is going to be caught in the same issues that are affecting so many currently. Housing prices (or the price people pay) have to come down in order for our country to get out of this mess. You know what I mean? Going forward -- If Citigroup goes back to giving out loans to people who still make the same amount of money and are stretching themselves for a house that is not really worth what the person is paying..Citigroup and the buyer are at risk and so is the country going forward. Sellers: LOWER HOUSING PRICES!! and BUYERS: STOP PAYING TOO MUCH!! Prolonging this game is only going to cause us more trouble in the future. I think if people did a little more homework on what they were buying - we would be much better off.

Remember: just b/c a bank says they will loan you $60,000 to buy a Kia Car - doesn't mean you should go and pay $60,000 for a Kia Car..

Bigdragon,

If you're looking specifically for new construction, a trip to your county permit office might help. That info might even be online through the county website.