Angela Aull

Metro Atlanta Real Estate

5 Ways to Verify Your Real Estate Agent is Experienced

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Regardless of whether you are a buyer or seller, using an experienced real estate agent is important to the success of your transaction. Yet, how do you know if the agent truly has the experience they claim? While there’s a case to be made that a new agent works harder, and they have the assistance of their broker, if you want a seasoned agent for a more complicated transaction, there are a few ways to verify they meet your expectations.

1. Check their License and Credentials – The first step is to check their license and any accreditations they claim. All these professional
organizations keep membership records available to the public. Also, review any disciplinary records or complaints.

2. Review their Track Record – Ask for references and call them. Ask about any challenges that occurred during the transaction and how the agent oversaw them. Ask for a printout of closed sales, to see if they are managing the kind of homes that pertain to you.

3. Ask Good Questions – Ask about the market. Ask them to talk about the community, amenities, HOAs, property values, etc. A seasoned agent should know this and be able to inform you on any local subject.

4. Assess their Communication Skills – During the interview process, determine if you are getting clear and concise information. Notice if they are attentive to your needs and communicate quickly. Remember, they want your business, and if there are issues upfront, it will not get better once you list with them.

Hunting for a New Home? Don’t Wait Until Saturday!

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 The idealized vision of a leisurely Saturday morning reviewing open houses and plotting the day’s tours over lattes and croissants is a thing of the past. While popping into the local open house might be fun for the casual looker, if you are serious about finding your next home, this climate demands strategy.

First and most importantly, know exactly what you need and want in a new home. Then share this vision in detail with your agent. Identify not only what you need in the property, but which communities would best fit your lifestyle. With lower inventory from which to choose, you also need to be clear about any compromises you are willing to make—if any.

Once you know what you’re looking for, the next step is to clear some time during the week for house hunting. That’s right, mid-week. In fact, for those searching for open houses, Thursdays are the best days to tour a community. Thursdays have always been the traditional days for agent open houses. This is when real estate professionals take time to tour new listings, but they are open for buyers also. This can allow serious buyers to view and write offers on new listings before the weekend crowds.

Strategy is critical in a seller’s market. Serious buyers need to prioritize their search to position themselves ahead of their competition. Being available to see new listings as soon as possible is one way to ensure you don’t lose out on an opportunity to write an offer on the right home.

Property Liens That Can Stop The Sale

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A common reason for a home sale to fall through is the presence of property liens. Often the sellers are not even aware they have a lien on their home and the delay caused by having them removed can cause a qualified buyer to look elsewhere.

Along with other pre-listing tasks, such as repairs and curb appeal projects, sellers can order a title search to determine if any liens are on the property. Some liens are expected, such as the mortgage lien which ensures any home loan is paid off at the time of close, but others might come as a surprise. Here are a few types of liens.

· Mechanics Lien – A contractor may place a mechanics lien on your home to make sure they are paid after a home project.
· Divorce Lien – Even if you and your spouse have agreed on the sale of the home, the court may need to approve the sale before the lien can be removed.
· Homeowner’s Association – Past due HOA payments and assessments can lead to a lien on the home.
· IRS and Property Taxes – A government legal claim against your property when you neglect or fail to pay a tax debt.
· Judgment Liens – Is a court ruling that gives a creditor the right to take possession of a debtor’s real or personal property if the debtor fails to fulfill his or her contractual obligations.
· Credit Card Liens – If you default on a credit card and the issuers get a judgment, they can attach a lien to your property.

Liens must be dealt with before a home can change title. Often the lienholder will negotiate the payment, but others will want full payment before releasing the hold. Either way, dealing with liens can take time and money. It’s always best to remove liens before listing your home for sale.

What Stays with The Home?

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More than one seller has been surprised to find that their favorite chandelier is
not theirs to take when they move. First-time home sellers might be especially
confused when confronted with an exclusion form presented by their agent, but understanding what is and is not included in the sale by statute is important to avoid disappointment on both sides.

The first rule of thumb is to consider if the item is nailed down, bolted, mounted,
or planted. This covers a wide range of items both inside and outside the home.
This might seem simple enough, but the debate about what constitutes a
“fixture” has caused many post-sales lawsuits. Fixtures will stay with the home
unless specifically excluded. This includes light fixtures, shelves, cabinets, built-in
shelves, and more.

Consider the mount for the big-screen TV. It might seem logical to assume the mount would go with the TV when the Sellers leave, but technically it’s likely considered a fixture as it’s bolted to the wall. What about a window-mounted air conditioner? If it’s sitting in the window, it’s typically personal property; however, if there is a hole in the wall to accommodate it, then it is likely a fixture.

Outdoor items are subject to the same rules. Anything planted in the yard goes with the home, as does furniture or other  items bolted to the ground. In that scenario, an arbor or patio cover bolted to a concrete slab would stay. And contrary to everything just outlined, window treatments/curtains typically go with the home.

Clearly, it can be confusing. If you are ready to buy or sell a home, make sure and discuss with your agent what you want to add or exclude to the sale. This is the best way to avoid disappointment at best or a courtroom at worst.

Benefits of Downsizing After Retirement

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Retirement – what an exciting new phase of life! For those ready to make this change, downsizing their home is an important decision. While the thought of
leaving the family home can be emotional, there are significant benefits that can enhance the retirement lifestyle.

First, downsizing can provide significant financial savings. There may be substantial equity in the home which can be used for other purposes. Additionally, expenses associated with maintenance, utilities, taxes, and repairs can be dramatically reduced with a smaller home.

Downsizing also offers a simplified life in the home. Fewer rooms to clean and maintain allows homeowners to spend less time on household chores. These homes are often single story, as retirees trade large multi-storied homes for smaller spaces. A smaller home is easier to navigate and is often designed with accessibility needs in mind.

While moving may feel overwhelming at first, retirees who make the change often find it liberating. Downsizing requires decluttering and divesting of “stuff,” which offers a more relaxed environment focused on items that really matter.  Moving to a 55+ community is also an advantage. Surrounded by other retirees, people find a larger sense of community and rich social life.

All in all, there are strong advantages to downsizing after retirement. Of course, it’s not right for everyone but with so any options available, it is worth considering.

Home Inspections For Sellers: How To Prepare

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Home Inspections For Sellers: How To Prepare Simplifying The Market

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Some Highlights

  • If you’re thinking about selling your house, it’s important to know what the home inspection is and what inspectors look for.
  • As supply grows and buyers regain negotiation power, you may find you want to do some select repairs with a good return on investment before listing to get ahead of things a buyer may ask you to fix.
  • To decide what’s worth tackling, you need expert advice. Reach out to a local real estate agent so you know what to prioritize.

Angela Aull | HomeSmart

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