Archive for February, 2009
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
How To Move To Your Georgia Apartment Without Stress
If you have decided to move to Georgia, depending on how you go about it, finding an apartment and moving your belongings to your new home can be an adventure or a nightmare. The key to making your move to your new apartment in Georgia stress-free is to be well-organized. Beyond the moving tips that are given to you contact movers, utility companies and your post office, there are some very important factors you need to put into your plan.
When you begin looking for your Georgia apartment, keep in mind that neighborhoods in every city have their own unique personality. If you are happy in the neighborhood where you are currently living, and want to live in a similar environment in Georgia, the best way to do this is by creating a profile.
Your Georgia apartment profile should include all of the features that are important to have in your apartment and the neighborhood where you live. Think about your lifestyle and what you need to be comfortable.
Here are some of the questions your profile will answer:
- How much are you currently paying as rental fees?
- Are you living in a private home or an apartment building?
- Are you a parent?
- Do you have pets?
- Do you have a washer and dryer in your apartment?
- Do you have your own car or do you use public transportation?
- Are you an online banking customer or do you like to visit your bank in person?
- Do you like to entertain at home or do you socialize at public places?
Moving to an apartment in Georgia is more than just transporting your material items from one place to another; you are moving all of your daily activities to a new environment. You can face the challenges of relocating and win by having all the facts you need to move to your apartment in Georgia and be satisfied.
For instance, Atlanta, Georgia is very popular because of its good combination of features that are considered important for living well. The apartment market is competitively priced for upscale renters with an average income of $45,000. Fair market rent for a one bedroom apartment in Atlanta, Georgia is approximately $700.00. There is a wide variety of apartment styles in Georgia. Depending on where you are moving in Georgia, you can live in a truly urban style or genuine country style environment.
Searching for an apartment in Georgia by price is the first step to working with your profile. Moving to an apartment in a city like Atlanta, Georgia from a city with a similar cost of living is a lot different than moving there from a small town where the cost of living is a less. Use your profile to see what the differences are between where you live now and your new apartment in Georgia so you know what you can expect when you make your move.
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
Sell House Fast
Tampa, Florida, December 17, 2007 – Online property auction site FastHomesolutions.com is reporting a record number of foreign investors visiting its web site in search of real estate bargains, especially in the Sunbelt area of the United States. The current weakness of the dollar against foreign currencies is a key contributor to the trend, which works to the advantage of lenders anxious to sell their REO (real estate owned) inventories of defaulted properties to foreign investors.
“It’s a huge opportunity for REO asset managers,” said Jim Case, CEO of Fast Home Solutions, which recently launched its online property auction website at www.FastHomesolutions.com. “We’re seeing investors from all over, especially France, Germany and Belgium, as well as from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. They are eager to buy U.S. homes, villas, properties now, while their own currencies are strong against our dollar.”
The British pound is particularly strong, currently trading at over two to one against the dollar. “This trend means that private investors and investment groups are highly motivated to buy,” Case said. “There will be more millionaires coming out of this downswing than ever before.” Foreign investors often use a group strategy when they acquire properties, pooling buying power and distributing risk. They buy multiple properties in targeted areas, then hire local property managers to oversee them and keep them rented. “Canadians are very active right now, especially in the Sunbelt areas like Florida,” Case explained. “Likewise, people from the UK are very familiar with Florida as a vacation spot, so when they see bargains on our website, they are quick to seize the opportunity to purchase.”
This is good news for loan servicers and loss mitigation professionals charged with disposing of owned real estate. The online auction concept, while not new, is experiencing a surge of popularity because of the ease with which properties can be vetted by potential buyers, whether for investment or owner occupancy. “Asset managers are getting slammed right now by the sheer volume of properties they must sell,” observed Case. “Online auctions are the best way to get properties in front of the most people, but REO people are so busy at the moment, it is difficult to consider new methods.” Fast Home Solutions approach to attract REO listings is to avoid the negatives buyers and sellers have seen in the past with online auctions. “Buyers hate paying premiums to buy properties online, so we’ve eliminated them,” said Case. “At the same time, investors want research on areas and values, as well as finding local property managers, so we’re adding content to make those available at minimal or no cost,” he added.
The “Half-back” Phenomenon
Further complicating things for REO asset managers desiring sell property in Sunbelt areas is the increase of people leaving places like Florida for financially more hospitable climes. Their properties are competing with REO sales for buyer attention, and keeping prices low. These are people who have been whipsawed by rising insurance rates caused by the hurricanes and sinkholes of recent years, as well as increased property taxes. Rather than moving all the way back up north, they are going half way, to places like Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, hence the term “half-back.” “These neighboring states have much more attractive scenarios for these sellers,” explains Jim Case. “And they still don’t have to put up with harsh winters.” With these additional properties cluttering up the inventory, REO sellers are finding their work cut out for them.
This new wave of foreign investors may be the key to keeping the market moving, said Case. “We send out over a million opt-in emails to investors every week and I can tell you that the demand for property listings is getting stronger every day,” he said. “The dollar’s weakness right now may work out to be a blessing for the REO asset managers, especially since these foreign investors like to buy more than one.”
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
We Buy Houses In Dacula Georgia Fast So You Can Sell Your Home In Dacula Georgia Fast!
Do you have a home in Dacula Georgia you need to sell quickly?
Have you been searching the Internet looking for a way to someone to buy your Dacula house fast or some way to sell your home in Dacula Georgia fast? Many sellers need to sell their house fast, but don\’t know where to turn. Luckily you\’ve found the right \”We Buy Houses Blog\” to sell your home in 7 days or less! WeBuyHouses.net is your number one source for buying houses in Dacula Georgia for fast cash or by taking over your existing mortgage payments. We can help you sell your house fast by buying your house fast!
How to Sell Your Dacula Georgia House Faster Than Ever! (How it works) Once you\’ve completed our Seller Questionnaire providing your contact information and telling us about your Dacula house for sale, one of our professional home buyers will contact you by phone or email about buying your home. If your home meets our purchase criteria, we\’ll schedule an appointment to come out and see your house and make you one or more offers to buy your house on the spot! It\’s that simple.
Who we are. WeBuyHouses.net a group of professional home buyers in Dacula Georgia and around the country that specializes in purchasing houses quickly for all cash or on other creative terms. We are not real estate agents who want to list and sell your home for a commission, so there is never any broker fees or real estate commissions. All you have to do is tell us about your Dacula home for sale so we can possibly buy it. That\’s how simple it really is!
We can save you time and money. We know that selling your home can be an expensive, time consuming and complicated process. We understand your situation. If you need to sell your Dacula Georgia home fast, we are your number one solution. Our local, professional home buyers can buy your house in 7 days or less once you\’ve notified us of the Dacula home you have for sale. We can pay all cash, take over your payments or lease-purchase your house immediately! We will handle all of the paperwork, make all the arrangements and close within a few days if necessary. You\’ll get a quick sale with no hassles, so you can put your house selling worries behind you once and for all. There will be no more stress and no more home selling headaches.
We buy houses in Dacula Georgia. We also buy homes in Auburn, Braselton, Buford, Centerville, Berkeley Lake, Duluth, Grayson, Harbins,Lawrenceville, Hog Mountain, Lilburn, Loganville , Norcross, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Hamilton Mill and other surrounding areas. We also buy houses in cities and towns across Georgia such as Atlanta, Gainesville, Athens, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Valdosta and we want to buy your Georgia house too!
We buy houses in Dacula Georgia in all shapes and sizes. We purchase all types of property, whether it\’s a new house, an old house, a big house, a small house, a pretty house, an ugly house or a house needing major repairs… We like to buy them all. We buy as many houses as we can in Georgia and are always looking for more houses to buy.
We buy houses in Dacula Georgia in any situation. If you are selling your Dacula Georgia house due to divorce, illness, unemployment, relocation, behind on payments, bankruptcy or foreclosure, we\’d like to help you find a solution that fits your unique home selling situation. We specialize in finding creative solutions to tough real estate problems that Realtors and other home buyers won\’t touch.
We are your best solution to sell your home fast. If you\’ve tried to sell your Dacula Georgia home for sale by owner and failed or you have listed your house with a real estate agent who was unable to sell your home, we are your best solution to get your home sold quickly. Sell your house to us in 7 days or less and avoid all the hassles and uncertainties of trying to sell your home yourself or through a real estate agent.
We are your ideal home buyer. If you sell your home to us, you won\’t have to continue searching for the perfect buyer while you wait, month after month to sell your house. You won\’t have to continue having open houses and showing your home to unqualified strangers who waste your time and scare the dog. You can sell your home in Dacula Georgia in 7 days or less and move on with your life!
Sell your home in Dacula Georgia in 7 days or less! To sell your Dacula Georgia house quickly, please complete our confidential Home Seller Questionnaire on our website at WeBuyHouses.net or call 888-765-3461 to speak to a live representative. Tell us all about your Dacula home for sale, how we can reach you and one of our knowledgeable house buyers will contact you ASAP about buying your house fast.
Choose the best offer to sell your house fast. If your Dacula Georgia house qualifies for our purchase program, one of our professional house buyers will schedule an appointment to come visit your house, take some photos and make you one or more custom offers to buy your home quickly so you can sell your house fast! We are confident that you will like one of our offers. If not, you are under no obligation to sell your home to us.
We are ready to buy your Dacula Georgia house today! Our home buyers are ready, willing and able to buy your house and help you through the entire home selling process. All you need to do now is call 888-765-3461 or visit our website at www.WeBuyHouses.net to complete our confidential Seller Questionnaire and one of our local home buyers will contact you about buying your house fast. Why wait another minute to sell your Dacula Georgia house when you can sell your house to us today?
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
Understanding The Market in Cherokee County Georgia
Waleska is a city located in Cherokee County, Georgia and has approximately 620 people residing in it. This quaint community is home to a few Waleska gated communities that are thriving in the area. Quite a few people would enjoy living in Cherokee County, Georgia, which is known for its exquisite beauty and picturesque landscapes. If you are looking to build a new home here, or to purchase one that is already built, then there are a few things you first need to consider before making the decision.
Primarily, you will need to find out if there are any new homes that are already built that suit your needs and wants for a home in a gated community. There are plenty of new homes available in Waleska golf course communities that feature many new homes that are luxury homes. You can check with the local real estate listings or local realtors to see if any of the new homes fit your needs, wants and budget.
There is a lot to offer in golf course communities, it could be quite easy to find a new custom home that meets your needs and desires, however if there isn’t one that meets your standards, then you can look at hiring a custom home builder to build your home for you.
There are a few things you will need to deliberate when making the decision to build or buy a new home. Primarily, you need to consider that building a home takes considerably longer than purchasing a home that is already built. You also need to consider the finances of living somewhere else while your Waleska new home is being built for you. Building a home takes a minimum of three months - if you need to move from where you are right away, building a home may not be an option.
If you decide you want to build your own new home in a master planned community, there are a few considerations you must take in before you hire custom home builders.
You need to consider the standards that are set out by the community association in the golf course community that you want to build in. Most gated communities have standards laid out for building homes in order to keep a degree of similarity in esthetics. It is important to find out what these standards are and ensure that your custom home builders know and can adhere to the rules set out by the administrating association.
You will need to find out more about the builders you hire who will be building your new home - there are a few questions you should raise in your interview with them, and they include:
Ask for references for other luxury homes that they have built in gated communities, particularly the one that you have purchased a lot in. Call the references and ask them about the value and correctness of the work the Waleska luxury home builders did for them on their home. Ask about the work that was done for them, if it was properly and on scheduled time, and if there were any issues with the building of the house. If there were problems, find out how the custom home builders handled those issues.
Ensure you get a full break down of the costs for their services and building your new home. Ensure that the cost includes everything - right to the finishing of the house.
Ask the new home builders if you would be able to visit one of their current work sites in a gated community. A visit to a work site will tell you a lot about the builder who will be building your home. Building a home is a big investment - you want to make sure the site is organized and efficient and that the workers are working and not wasting time.
Ask for the addresses of other homes that the new home builders have built in the same gated community you are looking to build in. This will give you another idea of the quality of their craftsmanship and what you can expect to see in your new home.
Once you have had all your questions answered, choose carefully between new home builders based not only on cost, but also on reputation and craftsmanship.
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
How To Get Your Real Estate License
The increasing spending capacity of people in some States has created a renewed interest in real estate. Real estate transactions involve people and processes and people have to rely on real estate agents to make their transactions fast and efficient. In the forefront of these transactions are realtors who seek out properties that are being sold and then match these properties with buyers. Realtors play a very important role in the success of the real estate industry and thus, only the best people who are professionals in their own right are given the chance to become licensed real estate agents.
Anyone who is interested to become a real estate agent should get the necessary license before he can practice as such. The different States have their own rule son the practice of realtors so any person who wants to engage in the real estate business should check out the requirements of the state where he wants to do business.
The fist requirement though is a license. A person interested in becoming a realtor should take the real estate agent licensing examination and he better be prepared for it so he can pas the exam. There are several companies offering real estate licensing reviews prior to the scheduled examinations.
There are real estate review companies that offer personal or online review classes. Busy people who could not find time to attend the review classes personally should take advantage of the online review. Some companies have very good licensing review programs and their reviewers are based on the past examinations given.
Obtaining a license in your state, or other states in that you may have interest in doing business is not difficult, if you know what to expect, and can fulfill the requirements. While enrolling in these review centers can be an advantage, aspiring realtors who want to pass the exam and get their licenses should take the review seriously.
A person who really wants to pass the exam with flying colors and get his license should not rely alone on questionnaires given out by review centers. He also has to do his own research about real estate to broaden his knowledge on the industry. This will not only help him during the exam but will help him understand the industry as a whole.
The process of getting a license is different for every state and each state has its own requirements aside from the examination. Aspiring realtors should consider these factors and requirements so they would be successful in getting their licenses. There are review centers that misinform their clients by telling them of a national license program for realtors when in fact, there is no such thing. The real estate license you have will only be good in the state where you took the examination.
The first thing to ask when enrolling in a real estate review class, actual or online, is whether or not the review center or company is recognized by the state. This is very important because most states require future realtors to take their reviews only in accredited centers.
There are review programs and center that are offering credible and state-approved review programs. The aspiring realtor only needs to surf the net and to look for these companies.
There are plenty of opportunities in the real estate industry but these opportunities are available only to the privileged few who have taken and passed the examination and are already license holders. Anyone who wants to join them should try his luck in the exams and in getting the license.
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
Atlanta Condos: the Condominium Market in Atlanta, Georgia
ondos have rocketed in popularity, offering accommodation to young professionals and small families without the expense of single family homes in the center of the city or even in the more expensive suburban districts.
High rises condominium buildings are shooting up in Atlanta, the most prominent being the Trump Tower at 15th and West Peachtree Streets in Midtown Atlanta. Due to open its first phase in 2009, Trump Condos are designed for professionals seeking accommodation in mid Atlanta, and start at $400,000 rising to $1.3 million: many condos have already been sold.
These exhibit the classical need for condos: centrally located, no worries about maintenance and security, and perfectly located for executive and corporate ownership. However, they are also ideal for city living, and are very attractive to young people and couples earning enough to afford them and that have no young families that demand a more rural or suburban location for their permanent home.
But what about these families? Condos are available at lower prices than regular homes, and not everybody wants to have a front garden or backyard to look after, in which case an apartment or condo would be ideal for them: particularly a condo, where maintenance and upkeep of the external parts of the home are looked after for a monthly fee.
At one time, there would only have been a few areas in Atlanta offering condos - in fact that would have been true of any city in the USA. Now, however, the concept of condominium agreements has appealed to the whole nation, and condos are appearing everywhere. It is not only new condo blocks that are being constructed, but old apartment blocks are being converted to a condominium, and renters have to either purchase or get out.
This is the bad side of the condo revolution, although it is a way for apartment block owners to convert their investment and equity to hard cash, especially if they are nearing or at retirement age which is true of many such owners. Unfortunately, the renters have no option since the law requires condominium agreements to be a purchase and not a rental agreement.
However, that aside, where in Atlanta are the best condos apart from the new constructions such as the Trump Tower? The best location varies according to the individual, and their reason for purchasing the condo. If you are a single man or woman looking for a home close to work, then that would obviously be close to one of the commercial centers. The same is true of an executive preferring to spend more time at work than traveling through traffic.
If you are a parent, you might want your home to be in a good area with good schools, and probably other families with your children as company for your own. In such a case, Decatur with its excellent schools and over 48 parks excellent for picnics might suit you, or you might prefer Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or Buckhead.
Buckhead is the social center of Atlanta, and only 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, while Sandy Springs with its large Jewish population is expensive. The median price in 2008 for Atlanta homes is $280,000 and Sandy Springs is well above this. You can get a house here at under $200,000, but also at $10 million. However, as this is written there are condos in Sandy Springs available at under $50,000 for a one bedroom condo to $800,000+. Much depends upon your needs.
What this indicates is that, irrespective of the reputation of the area of Atlanta, Atlanta condos can be obtained at prices well below that you would expect to pay for a single home. It is essential to view properties that appear underpriced for their area, however, and check out the condo fee, since that could be correspondingly higher.
Notwithstanding this, the best of Atlanta’s condos are situated around in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, Chastain park, Decatur, Buckhead and Ansley Park. However, the other districts in Atlanta also offer some great condos and your choice should be based upon what each provides that is most suitable for you rather than the reputation the area has.
You might find that you get more bang for your buck in some areas, irrespective of the actual price you pay for your condo, and the best advice for anybody seeking a home of any kind, whether it be a town house, a loft or a condo, is to check it out and make sure you know what the neighbors are like and find out if there are any local gangs in the neighborhood. Nobody is going to volunteer this information if they are trying to sell their condo, and an unusually low price should be regarded with suspicion and not just snapped up. You might regret it later.
However, if your head is properly screwed on and the bolts tightened, and you know what you want, then you should be able to get a good deal on your Atlanta condo, and the vast majority that purchase condos in Atlanta are delighted with the quality of property that they get. It is a great city, and it offers some great property, so make sure that you get your share of it.
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
How Do Seller Concessions Work?
It is common for real estate agents, mortgage loan officers, buyers and sellers to inquire about how much the seller is allowed to pay in contributions on a conventional mortgage loan in Georgia. Any closing costs that are normally paid by the borrower are considered contributions if they are not paid by the borrower. The seller, builder, developer, real estate agent or any other interested party to the transaction, including any affiliates, may pay these contributions.
The maximum allowable contributions from interested parties are based upon the lesser of the purchase price or appraised value, property type and the down payment amount.
Primary residences and second homes with less than 10% down allow contributions of 3%. If the buyer pays 10% to 25% down the contributions are limited to 6%. Down payments of more than 25% allows contributions up to 9% on conforming loan amounts but non-conforming loans are limited to 6%. The maximum contribution is 6% for conforming 80/20 and 90/10 on primary residence and second home financing.
The contribution on investment properties is limited to 2% regardless of amount paid down.
Contributions toward any of the following are included in the maximum allowable limits:
1. Closing Costs
2. Discount points
3. Commitment fees
4. Origination Fees
5. Mortgage insurance premium
6. Discount Points for temporarily or permanently lower the borrowers monthly payment or interest rate.
7. Any other transfer charges normally paid by the borrower, e.g., transfer taxes, tax stamps, title insurance, surveys, appraisal, and recording and attorney fees.
8. Homeowner association fees for future dues.
If there are excess contributions, a downward adjustment to the property’s sales price must be made to reflect the amount of any contributions that exceed the maximum contribution limits. The LTV/TLTV ratio must then be calculated based upon the lesser of the reduced sales price or the appraised value.
The cost of any personal property, e.g., furniture, decorator items, automobiles or other “giveaways”, must always be deducted from the property’s sales price regardless of the amount of any other contributions.
A cash credit, cash rebate, incentive or inducement/enticement to purchase from the seller, builder, or developer must also always be deducted from the property’s sales price. Examples may include but are not limited to: excessive marketing costs, commissions, or seller financing at below market interest rates.
A new LTV/TLTV must be calculated whenever the property’s sales price is reduced. The LTV/TLTV is based on the lesser of the adjusted sales price or the appraised value. Personal Property Exception
Typically, a short list of personal property may come with a house. Most built-in appliances (such as stove, refrigerator, dishwasher), window coverings and carpeting, are usually considered to be fixtures so no adjustment to the purchase price is needed.
Sometimes personal property may be left for convenience and has minimal value (e.g., pool cleaning equipment, lawn mowers, picnic tables and patio sets). When personal property equals less than 2% of the value of the property or has a value of less than $500 it is not considered a contribution.
You can see how important it is that Loan Officers and Real Estate Agents understand the limits of concessions. Sales contracts and mortgage loans should be structured accordingly. A lack of training on our part can cause major frustration for the buyer and seller.
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
We Buy Houses In Buford Georgia And Want To Buy Your House Fast, Often In One Hour Or Less!
We can buy your Buford Georgia house in one hour or less!
We buy houses in Buford Georgia in any area, condition or price range and want to buy your house fast. We buy pretty Buford houses, no-so-pretty houses and we buy pretty-ugly Buford houses too. We buy houses in Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Valdosta and any of the other cities and counties in Georgia. If you have a house in Georgia that you need to sell fast for any reason whatsoever, we buy Buford Georgia homes for all cash or can take over your monthly mortgage payments, often in one hour or less!
You can avoid all the hassles of selling your Buford home yourself or through a real estate agent. With OneHourHomebuyers.com, you can…
Avoid paying unnecessary real estate listing fees, commissions and closing costs to sell your Buford Georgia home. Avoid the stress of waiting months for your Buford Georgia house to sell. Avoid waiting to find out \”when\” your home in Buford will sell and for \”how much\”. Avoid making unnecessary and expensive repairs to get your Buford house ready to sell. Avoid paying for and maintaining a Buford home in which you no longer live or can afford. Sell your Georgia house now and get fast cash and/or immediate debt relief!
We buy Buford Georgia houses fast with our One Hour Rapid Home Purchase Program
To find out if your Buford Georgia home qualifies for our One Hour Rapid Home Purchase Program, please call 888-765-3461 to speak to someone now or visit our website at www.OneHourHomebuyers.com and complete our Seller Questionnaire on our home page. Tell us all about the Buford Georgia house you have for sale and we will get back to you ASAP about the possibility of buying your home. If your Buford home qualifies for our Rapid Home Purchase Program, one of our professional home buyers will schedule an appointment to come out and inspect your property and make you an offer to purchase your home on the spot, in an hour or less, guaranteed!
Why wait months and months to sell your Buford house when you can sell in one hour? Click here to sell your house fast, often in one hour or less!
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
Atlanta Home
Atlanta is the capital as well as Georgia’s largest city. Atlanta has experienced huge growth over the last decades due mainly to its central location and lack of geographic boundaries. Population growth and rate of employment also caused the value of the real estate market to escalate continuously. Cost of Living is lower, houses cost less, property taxes are lower. Here homebuyers can find virtually any kind and price of housing they want. It has several neighborhoods, various communities live together here.
Atlanta is still a desirable Southern strategic location today. A major airport, ground transportation and cultural center, Atlanta offers tropical warmth, and a romantic history, too. It is one of the most important relocation destinations in the country, with over 4.1 million residents in the metro area.
Business 2.0 Magazine, in its November 2006 issue, identifies 10 markets that offer great opportunities for those who have the patience to buy and hold. Atlanta is rated #10 in the top 10 markets of where to buy right now with a predicted increase of 24% in five years.
The real estate prices are comparatively reasonable in Atlanta as compared to other large metropolitan areas. If you decided to buy the home of your dreams in Atlanta, just do it. You can look for a realtor, but FSBO ads are very popular, too. FSBO means ‘For Sale By Owner’ and it is used to describe home owners who sell their homes themselves and don’t use a real estate company when they sell their homes and land. It’s absolutely easy and economical. Anyone can successfully sell (or buy) without using a real estate agency. You can even choose this opportunity if you are a first time homebuyer.
Owning a home is one of the best financial investments. For decades, real estate has been the most reliable and dramatic wealth generator for many people. Housing is a universal need and with labor and building materials becoming more costly and populations on the rise, real estate prices have nowhere to go but up in certain markets over the long term. With mortgages on sale at the lowest interest rates in the past 40 years, it makes sense to invest in real estate.
Posted on February 28, 2009 - by admin
Choosing a Real Estate Agent Before You Choose Your House
As a home buyer you should put as much thought into choosing your real estate agent as choosing your home. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new home especially if you are not aware of how the game is played.
Resourceful consumers know that they should interview agents to see how they will perform for them and to switch agents if they are disappointed in an agents performance. How your needs will be met should be based on the variety of services the agent offers, the different skill levels and training he or she has, and the company policies of the firm they work for.
You may end up with someone who hasn’t had much experience, if you met the agent at an Open House or called the Listing Agent about a particular house. It is not uncommon for new agents or part-timers to conduct Open Houses and do ‘up-time’ answering the phones at the real estate offices, not that an experienced agent does not do these things from time to time, but it is not enough to just take up with the first agent you meet without first seeing if they are knowledgeable of the area, the laws, and your interest. If they are the listing agent, unless specifically disclosed otherwise, they represent the seller in any transaction for the sale of a home. It is that Agent’s fiduciary duty to protect the seller’s position at all times. No matter what they tell you their loyalty will lie with their selling clients. Listing Agents are, not focusing on buyers’ needs, you may end up with an agent who will do a better job selling your house when the time comes rather than serving your needs and wants now as a home buyer. A buyer’s agent is a better choice.
If you have found a particular house but want a different agent you may have to deal with something called ‘procuring cause’ which offers guidelines regarding who should get credit for the sale and consequently, payment. That is why we say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Choose your real estate agent before you choose your house. It’s not good to see a home with one broker and then bring another broker to the same house for the second showing a month later. Such practices could end up in a long bitter process between agents, slowing down your closing process and perhaps even chancing the lost of your dream home to another buyer.
Treat your agent with the same respect you expect from them, tell them up front if you have worked with another agent in the area, what homes they have shown you and why you choose to seek out a different agent. A good buyer’s agent armed with your expectations will transcend into a great buying experience for you and your family and what a difference that will make in the enjoyment of your new mountain home!










