Community Discussions
Explore the latest discussions and community conversations related to this domain.
Municipal Tax Sale (Real Estate)
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Hi everyone,
So I am looking for a advice or a little guidance that maybe one of you legends may have. I am interested in placing a bid on a municipal tax sale. The Bid would be for a parcel of land. I am unfamiliar with the process of changing the title from the Town to myself. I am assuming I would need a lawyer for this.
If anyone has any insight into how Municipal Tax Sales work after a bid is successful. Please respond.
God Bless,
Top Comment: You’ll need a lawyer to transfer title to your name. Since you are in Ontario title should be transferred to you free and clear of any issues. To be on the safe side I think it may be a good idea to have a lawyer search the title/address for you to ensure there are no issues other than the cause of the tax sale. You may also want a contact other professionals to check for potential environmental contamination and confirm the zoning so it matches your expected use and to ensure there are no restrictions that may restrict part or all of the property of use due to environmental protection constraints. These professionals should be able to confirm the lot size as well. Additionally, you may also want to reach out to your lender if you are financing to ensure they are willing to lend on the property type you are considering. Good luck with your offer.
Websites for real estate for sale that doesn’t have gringo prices?
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Wondering if there are any good sites for RE.
If not, how much do you think prices are marked up for gringos online? Is it safe to assume whatever the list price is they’ll accept 50-75% of it?
Top Comment: The short answer is no. That's a misperception that foreigners bring with them to Mexico. It is absolutely not safe to assume that you'll get a 25-50% off on a property. Real estate in Quintana Roo is some of the hottest in the country. Now we have an international airport coming online in Tulum, and the Mayan Train is coming. Now, that being said, anything is possible. If you find a property discounted like that, there's a reason for that. ie; The property has been sitting on the market for years and hasn't sold. And it was overpriced to begin with. There's a reason why it's being discounted. And that's because no one wants to buy it in the first place. In other words you'd need to find a desperate seller. And people would rather not sell rather than take a hit. And if the property is owned by a foreigner they are on the hook for huge capital gains tax in Mexico, plus discounting the property. That translates into a major loss. I'm actually seeing the reverse now, with prices on the rise. The real estate market in Mexico is very tricky. Sure, people do it all day long. But you have to be very careful. Look carefully before you leap and good luck.
🚨 Attention: Real chu-hi’s are now on sale in the US : navy
Main Post: 🚨 Attention: Real chu-hi’s are now on sale in the US : navy
Thoughts on The Real Real?
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I have so much stuff hanging out in my "want to buy" pile on their site and was ready to order....until I saw the shipping fee and all the negative reviews.
Sure, I get that stuff gets missed in listings, but it seems like every buyer review I find is scathing and that the customer service there won't help. And I have maybe found one positive review...
I had given up on ThredUp for some time, but found they've gotten better with listings and CS...but haven't found anything lately I want from them.
So...thoughts?
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I used them and got two items and they were both in good condition, so I’ve had no reason to contact customer service. Shipping was a pain to pay, and I do know that final sale items are non-refundable.
Your guide to shopping The RealReal — a hot mess consignment website with some amazing gems.
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(Also posted on r/frugalFemaleFashion)
So you want to pick up some bargain second hand designer items, or maybe you want to shop gently used clothes made of silk, cashmere, or linen for dirt cheap. Certainly you’d like doing all of this while keeping your consumption habits sustainable and ethical.
Since last spring, one of my favorite sources of second hand goods has been The RealReal. I’ve found holy grail silk maxi gowns for as low as $32; NWT cashmere sweaters retailing for $500 for $45; but I’ve also made plenty of mistakes.
After a many months of experience learning the ins and outs of using this site, I’d I’d like to provide a guide on how to score deals and avoid pitfalls — something I wish I had found when I first started shopping there. Most of these tips can be applied to other second hand websites as well, although most of my experience is with TRR.
Obviously this post isn’t sponsored (I hope this becomes obvious as I go into problematic aspects of the website). But as someone passionate about the second hand market, I want to provide a tool for people interested in second hand sourcing.
Let’s dive in.
Part 1: Ethics and concerns — the good, the bad, and the ugly
THE GOOD: there is a massive glut of designer clothing floating around people’s closets, unworn. As we all know, buying second hand is much better for the environment than even purchasing from sustainable brands, as there is zero use of water and natural resources involved in production, and the only waste comes from shipping materials and transportation.
Shifting the bulk of your purchase to the second hand market is the most environmentally friendly way of introducing new items into your closet. There are many nuances to this discussion of course, and many critiques to thrifting, but that is a discussion to be had for another time.
The RealReal is aware that this is a big motivator for their customers, and they’ve seemed to embrace it. For example, bags they ship their clothing in are 100% recyclable.
THE BAD: Let’s address the elephant in the room — The RealReal is notorious for fakes. As they process large quantities of clothes (which allows them to keep prices low), copywriters who write up clothing description in fact do the bulk of the authentication. This is a well-known problem which has been addressed in news articles before, including one from Forbes.
Employee reviews on Glassdoor seem to indicate that the company prioritizes quantity over quality in processing items, which also likely contributes to these mistakes.
There is a way to avoid these pitfalls — I steer clear of popularly duped items such as bags, logo items, and clothing from the most famous brands (Chanel, Prada, Versace etc). I’ll get into this more later.
THE UGLY: There is still labor involved in TRR’s process — not least of which are the people photographing, writing descriptions of, and processing the clothing. So it's still good to keep labor ethics in mind when dealing with this.
I haven't heard a ton about TRR, but they did come under fire at the start of the pandemic for not providing proper safety measures in their warehouses for workers. Yikes.
Employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed seem to be a mixed bag.
I should also mention that as items from TRR come from the luxury fashion industry, items reflect some of its inherent problems — i.e. the sizing range SUCKS for plus sized consumers. Hopefully this will change in the coming years, since I’ve seen many brands expanding their sizing ranges, and I hope this will soon trickle down into consignment sites like TRR!
My takeaway? While it's definitely a tradeoff, the fact that it's sweatshop proof plus sustainable means that sourcing clothing (with keeping tips on avoiding fakes in mind) means that TRR is personally worth it for me.
Part 2: Items to avoid, and getting over brand blindness
So you get on The RealReal, you look up Versace, you sort low to high -- and wham bam there is a Versace skirt staring you in the face for only $12.50. How could you not cop it right away?
So two points here: first of all, don't let brand blindness get the better of you. If you saw that same skirt at H&M, would you actually like it? Does it actually fit your style (and lifestyle)? Will you really wear it? After all, the point of buying designer should be getting items with superior design and materials that you can actually wear and enjoy in your life -- so if it's a plain-Jane item, a crazy aspirational piece, or a piece from a big name brand that you don't 100% love, it's not worth it.
Second of all, remember the whole fakes scandal! Based on both the news reports and word-of-mouth from employees on Glassdoor, this site's goal is to sell large amounts of clothing quickly, and to do that they keep prices low. To keep prices low, their authentication process is shoddy and clothing is processed quickly.
SO PLEASE DO NOT BUY CHANEL BAGS OR NEVERFULLS ON HERE! One of the most popular posts on r/FrugalFemaleFashion is by a user who got sold a fake Chanel.
This extends to many other things. Steer clear from items that would be profitable as dupes. I personally ignore all of the big-name luxury brands: Chanel, Hermes, Versace, Gucci, Prada and the like are no-goes for me. Get these items from a more reputable source (like Fashionphile or something).
Lesser known brands are also in danger of having fakes when it comes to handbags -- I avoid Proenza Schouler (though their clothes tend to be good) and even smaller brands like Coperni and Furla. I guess the bottom line is, avoid bags and probably jewelry too. Maybe the folks over at r/RepLadies might know better, but I personally would not risk it.
Edit: A helpful user highly recommended checking out r/RepLadies to get a better sense of brands that are counterfeited, which even includes super popular brands in the $200-800 range. Some examples given were Zimmerman, Vince, Isabel Marant, Toteme, Anine Bing, LoveShackFancy, etc.
This leaves me with plenty of brands that aren't really profitable or popular for dupes. Some examples from my recent hauls: this abstract art-looking silk skirt from Robert Rodriguez for $20; or these silk wide leg pants plus this silk maxi from Rebecca Taylor for $25 each. No one in their right mind would be making fakes of these items, it would take high resources for a limited distribution.
Some other less-hyped brands in my usual rotation that are rarely duped include: A.L.C., Calypso, Derek Lam, Ganni, Lafayette 148, Mara Hoffman, Parker, Sea New York, and Stine Goya. If the brand mostly carries clothing in the $200-$800 range, you're good to go.
Part 3: How to find cute stuff on TRR
Okay; so you're on TRR, you're here to find cute and sustainable and quality and whatnot clothes... but this site is a labyrinth. Where do you even start?
Tip 1: find the brands you love and search by them.
If you already have something in mind, this should be easy. If you don't know anything, it's time to learn about brands.
Look at the brands that Saks and Nordstrom are selling; look at the brands your favorite fashion influencer is tagging; look at the "new in" clothes that speaks to you and check out similar items they have that are discounted. I like to check out Rent the Runway (since they mainly represent brands that run for $200-$1500 per item) and search by brands that I like on there.
Once you know which brands best represent your style, searching for specific items and styles while using the low-to-high search function on them is helpful.
If you run into a cool item by an unknown designer, check their other stuff as well!
Tip 2: filters
Absolutely use the built-in filters, they will save so much time! You can sort by size, designer, clothing item type, color, style, dress length, and many other things.
The low-to-high price filter can be super tricky though. Of course most of the discounted items will be the ugly stuff, the not-great-condition stuff, or the unfashionable stuff (hello bandage dresses!). This filter is therefore best used in combination with other filters: sorting by color, designer, specific style, or material. Searching "pants" from low to high will give you a glut of skinny jeans; searching "silk wide leg print pants" from low to high might get you somewhere.
Another idea is setting a price limit and price floor, which is super useful for new arrivals or for skipping the (mostly) ugly/boring/bad condition clothing selling for $12.50. For the latter, set a price floor at $20 or $30 or whatever to get into the better stuff more quickly.
For new arrivals, pick a category (say, cashmere sweaters) and only sort by stuff priced at $65 or below. Mark the stuff you like, cop it immediately, or wait for a markdown. This is how I found this gorgeous lightly worn, originally $695 cashmere sweater for $52.
Tip 3: keywords in the search engine
As an addition to the above: add more specific terms in your searches. Familiarize yourself in the ways that clothing can be described, and search by styles you wear. Here are some starters and examples...
Pants: high-rise; elasticated waist; wide-leg; slim fit, flared, etc.
Skirts: A-line; maxi/mini/midi; pencil, etc.
Fibers: silk, cashmere, linen, merino wool, viscose, cotton, etc.
Details: turtleneck, mock neck, strapless, sleeveless, long sleeve, V-neck, crew neck, print, floral, animal print, colorblock, striped etc.
Once you type in all of the more specific keywords, sort low-to-high again.
Tip 4: Tools on The RealReal
Make use of both the "obsessions" (favorited items) and saved searches. The first will let you keep track of items you'd be interested in buying if they go on a bigger sale. The second is useful for remembering keywords that are interesting for you, whether it is a new designer you like or a combination of keywords that was helpful.
Tip 5: new arrivals
The RealReal posts new items twice a day: at 10am/ 7pm EST. It's therefore useful to check for items from hot brands (LoveShackFancy, Rixo, and the like) during this time, since a lot of the good stuff will be snatched up right away.
Tip 6: Item condition
Once you find something that you love, make sure to check the condition. Unfortunately, TRR will sometimes accept items with stains, so make sure you read carefully. "Good" condition is usually not very good. I will buy items in "very good" condition if they are described as only having light wear.
Some of the description words can be irritating. A "discoloration" usually indicates a stain. Then again I've bought items that were in better condition than the listing; a top described as having "minor marks at sleeves" didn't really have visible marks. It's a mixed bag.
Tip 7: avoid outlet items
Many luxury brands are known to sell cheaper, lower quality items in outlets under the same brand name. Unfortunately, the RealReal doesn’t distinguish between these and the higher quality items from the same brand.
The truth is that I don’t have a good guide on how to distinguish the two. Just be aware of the brands that sell in outlets (some include Theory, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs). Checking material composition is a start — is a blazer polyester instead of wool? It might be from an outlet.
Also be aware of diffusion brands, which are the labels that name brands use for their less expensive lines (Marc by Marc Jacobs, See by Chloé, Michael Michael Kors, Armani Exchange, Lauren Ralph Lauren or Ralph by Ralph Lauren).
These more affordable lines aren’t necessarily bad, some are still great quality and use beautiful materials. But you might not want to pay $200 for a Proenza Schouler White Label dress if the original cost $400-$500.
Some more examples of such lines can be found in this article. Wikipedia also has a massive list of diffusion brands. Do some research into brands so that you can tell what the diffusion lines vs luxury lines are; for example, this blog post discusses the million Ralph Lauren lines and their differences.
What I do is check the material composition (many — but not all — of these items will be polyester); and then I ask myself if the item is worth the price regardless of the brand. Again, do you like the item because it’s Marc Jacobs? Or do you ACTUALLY like the item based on the design, material, price, and functionality in your own wardrobe? Diffusion lines can still be a great deal — I purchased this Derek Lam 10 Crosby sweater that is a polyamid/wool/viscose blend for $24 NWT, a great deal for me.
Tip 8: Reverse image search
If you want more information on how the item looks in photographs (or if it's an actual item from the brand), reverse image search is your best friend.
This is especially useful considering that the lighting TRR uses for taking photos can sometimes be deceiving. This Proenza Schouler sweater is looks red and white; but a reverse image search reveals that it's actually red and baby blue.
Which brings me to my next point...
Part 4: using Google reverse image search
So you see a cute dress but want to understand how the fit looks on a human model. Or you see a gorgeous sweater but you're wondering about the original price. Or you want to better understand the item’s colors.
Or you find cute summer pants which sadly have the fabric composition tag removed, and you want to check if it's silk, cotton, polyester, or whatnot.
Well fear not, because Google reverse image search is here to help you find original listings and images!
Simply download the Google app; screenshot the coveted item on your phone; tap the camera logo next to the Google search bar; select your photo; and voila, plenty of matches for your item!
There are of course limitations, especially if your item of choice belongs to an older collection, or if it’s a very plain item (a black skirt). In these cases you might have to manually type in brand name + keywords, so pay close attention to the item details and describe it the best you can.
If your item is from a recent enough collection, you might even be able to find it on the website Rent The Runway. Basically this is a clothing rental service, and what’s great is that users will leave pictures and detailed reviews on how their item fit based on their body type and size regularly worn.
RTR has actually saved me a couple of times. I was eyeing this funky tie-die dress by Proenza Schouler, but the ladies over at RTR pointed out that the material was super thin and that it felt more like a cover-up than a dress!
Part 5: does the item fit?
Don't trust the measurements on the site, they're really bad. An example: this size S dress from Stine Goya is listed as having 33" bust, 26" waist, and 40" hip measurements; the same exact dress is listed as having 34" bust, 24" waist, and 48" hip measurements. WTF?
Luckily with reverse image search (or just keyword search), you can find an original listing of this specific dress which provides a size guide. If you can't find the original listing, looking up the brand's general sizing chart is a great way to go.
If you're really lucky, the item you like will also be listed on Rent The Runway. If you're salivating over this other Stine Goya dress, you're in luck, since numerous users have left pictures and reviews on fit and look on the RTR page. Even if your item isn't listed, it can be useful to look through RTR as a way of checking how other similar items from the brand fit -- too large, too small, or true to size. RTR users often leave their measurements (height, weight, body type) for an easy comparison.
Sometimes you don't get so lucky, and have to play it safe. Check the fabric composition; is there any stretch or give? Does the bust look like it will actually accommodate you? Is the item forgiving of small measurement differences? How does the item fit the models in the reverse image picture?
I personally avoid jeans or any pants that have a highly body-specific fit; for pants, anything with an elastic waist and flowy design is good. Tops with some stretch tend to be good; skirts are usually safe; dresses as well if they have a more forgiving design.
On the other hand, users in the comments of my OG post have said that they have better or worse luck with very different items than I did. I guess the bottom line is, use your best online shopping common sense, as well as the knowledge you have about your own proportions, to understand what items generally do and don’t work for you. I strongly recommend having some online shopping experience, especially before committing to a final sale item. These things should be common sense, but don't let your love of an item overpower the important question of whether an item will work for your body.
As a last resort, tailoring is an option, but don't be too idealistic with what can and can't be tailored!
Part 6: Scoring a deal -- site credits and sales
How do sales work?
So TRR posts new items twice a day; most of these items are eligible for another 20% off with the coupon code "REAL20."
From here, items will be knocked down little by little as time goes on -- usually first 20%, then 25%, 30%, and so on. Different items will be discounted at different speeds (so usually the NWT items will be discounted more slowly than their "very good" counterparts).
Buyer beware: once an item reaches the 40% mark, it's final sale and you generally cannot return it. Before then, you can either return it through payed shipping (I think $12ish) or you can return it in person at one of their physical locations.
Edit: a helpful user added that if you make a purchase through PayPal, you can use their free return shipping program to get a free $12 return refund!
Edit: some comments below added that if you receive an item that was not as described — whether in terms of measurements or general description — you can often contact customer service and return it. People seem generally happy about this returns process. This is also often the case if you can prove an item is counterfeit.
Are there any big sales?
From what I've seen, TRR will have end of season sales. The last one I remember took place in early September (?). At this time, items will temporarily be priced lower, and then go up again in price after the sale. Old items will reach as low as 80%.
How are items even priced?
I have no idea how their system works. First of all, be super conscious that sometimes items may be overpriced -- check the original retail value!
Second of all, if you like an item, check the brand's page for similar items. You might find the exact same item going for much cheaper. As I'm writing this, this XS Stine Goya dress is priced at $86, while the exact same dress in the same size and condition is $105
How to comparison shop?
Comparison shopping is helpful before committing to a purchase. Check your other favorite second hand sites like Poshmark, Depop, eBay, or ThredUp for a better deal on the same item before you buy.
Best times of year to shop?
It's best to shop for future seasons. People really do shop seasonally -- currently there is a glut of summer clothing on the website since most people are looking at winter clothing. Plus people who consign are likely getting rid of old clothing at the end of the season.
I think this affects pricing as well, which is done by humans. I've noticed some summer dresses had an original price that was 30%-40% more during the summer than what similar or exact same items got now during the fall/winter.
What about site credits?
When you make an account on TRR, you get $25 site credit valid for a $50+ purchase. Combining this with the $12 shipping and "$1 COVID surcharge" they now have, it boils down to a $12 discount. (Note: for y’all Hawaiians, Alaskans, Europeans and others, the shipping is unfortunately even pricier).
You can theoretically make infinite accounts to get as many of these coupons you want (I am guilty of this). A new account will also give you a 'first look' membership for a month(?), so use that to see all of the exclusive new items that are posted before anyone else sees them.
Part 7: making your items last
Your order comes in, and now you have cashmere, merino wool, and silk on your hands. Oh crap. How do I even wash these??
I strongly encourage you to look up guides on how to take care of natural fibers (or clothing in general, even fast fashion ). It does take time, there is a learning curve, but once you make it a habit it’s pretty easy to maintain.
I personally machine wash everything. This makes my life much easier, and machine washing removes the slight “vintage smell” some items will inevitably have. A redditor on r/femaleFashionAdvice put together an invaluable guide to machine washing clothing.
Some quick tips:
- machine wash your gentle fibers (wool and silk especially) on cold, with a gentle cycle. Turn everything inside out and put it in laundry bags.
- DO NOT WASH ON HEAT, DO NOT HEAT DRY. This is the best way to destroy your delicates and cause your things to shrink. Air dry your items instead.
- woolens are tricky since wool is hair. Apparently wool has anti-bacterial properties and doesn’t need to be washed often at all. Many detergents can actually break down wool fibers. Fabric softeners are also a no-go. Use a wool detergent (or baby shampoo like I do), then air dry flat to keep the shape.
So far, all of my purchases have held up well with this process — and I’m talking silk dresses and woolen tops.
...and that's all folks! I'd love to update based on any suggestions I get from y'all (or if I think something else needs mentioning). In the meantime, happy shopping, go score some closet staples you'll love to wear time and time again!
Top Comment: Thanks for this!! I’ve also spent a lot of time on TRR the last few years and wanted to add a few additional tips: all of the handbags are listed as non-returnable, but if you can justify that the item did not come exactly as described they will typically accept the return if you are interested in purchasing handbags from the bigger brands, I wouldn’t look for anything in black or a neutral color because they are more likely to be fake. I got both of my holy grail bags from TRR but they are in brighter colors. I agree with OP though, I would avoid Hermès, Chanel, and LV altogether but most other brands are fair game sometimes you can take advantage of their volume technique, I’ve noticed mispriced items due to lack of expertise. When I was hunting down my Lady Dior, I noticed a bag that was mistakenly listed as a size smaller which resulted in a big discount for me
Do you trust online consignment shops like The RealReal?
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I just bought a pair of used Louboutins for what I thought was an incredible deal because the site claimed that everything was verified. After having some shipping issues and doing some research, I’m thinking that the price I paid might have been too good to be true. Are these sites legitimate?
Top Comment: I sell/buy on Poshmark and never had a problem. I also use Real Authenticator (Google them) to do a second check for me so I don’t get duped. Even going to boutiques you can get a fake! Return fraud is a very real thing. People will buy a real bag, return a replica of that bag, get their money back, get to keep a real bag, and the worst part is someone else will pay for that fake bag. It happened to a friend of mine actually at the Louis Vuitton store. They were able to exchange the bag, but it was a lot of drama and fighting for it, because no one is going to believe “Hey, I bought this fake bag here, give me a real one.”
The evil steam sale is real
Main Post: The evil steam sale is real
Anyone sell on therealreal?
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I’m trying to get some info before I start consigning on there.
Top Comment: I just consigned with them for the first time. It's been a mixed bag so far. I made an appointment at a consignment office, but got a call the day before asking if I would let someone come to my house instead. They offered me a $25 credit for an in-home appointment and I accepted. I had created a consignor's account years ago with my old address, but never consigned anything. I asked the phone rep to update the address and confirmed the appointment. The rep who came to my house was super friendly but not very communicative ahead of time. She offered two appointment windows, but never responded after I accepted one. I just assumed she received the email and was ready with my stuff when she got here. Anyway, she took ten items and explained how it worked. Their payment structure is confusing. The site says you get 40%, but she said it was 55%. I still have no clue what I'm actually getting. The turn around was pretty quick. My stuff was assessed at the warehouse and they accepted 7 of the 10 items. They sent the three items back to me, but then I noticed in tracking that they USED MY OLD ADDRESS! I called and asked them to fix it since they should have updated to info and there's no way to do it yourself online. They rerouted the package and I waited...and waited. Turns out the package is now LOST. UPS offers a rerouting service, but failed miserably. The package included a $900 pair of RL Purple Label pants. I'm now waiting on the claim. On the plus side, my most expensive listing already sold, so there's that. Oh, and they never credited my $25. I'd give them a C- so far.
Shenzhen Property For Sale Website
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Hello. I'm looking to buy an apartment to live in Shenzhen. Are there real estate websites someone can recommend? Thank you in advance.
Top Comment: Are you a resident in Shenzhen? Or a HK/MO PR***? If not, you can't.