If you have been involved in a real estate transaction within the past two years or so, you probably have heard the term due diligence. Prior to that, you may even have the mental acumen to remember repair request periods in our old contracts. Most folks who aren't in the real estate industry (and some who are) don't really know or take the time to understand the differences, challenges and advantages between the two.
First, due diligence is a time period. One agreed upon by buyer and seller, not agent and agent. During this period for an agreed upon amount of non-refundable money, (again, agreed upon by buyer and seller), the buyer has the opportunity to inspect, think about, mull, brood or whatever he or she wants to do in order to determine that it is the right property for them. The seller must, during this period, make the home available to the buyer to investigate. That does not mean that it should be a revolving door of inspections and visits or late-night stalking, but it does mean that the buyer should have reasonable access to have inspectors, surveyors, etc. out to the property.
During this period, not only are inspections made, but it is up to the buyer to make sure they can obtain financing. There is no longer a financing contingency. This period is it. Not only should a buyer have full loan approval prior to the period ending, but this means that the appraisal is complete and satisfactory, the cost of insurance is satisfactory and that any and all info you might want on restrictive covenants, HOAs, etc. is obtained. Now the list above is NOT all-inclusive. If you want to see if there are sex offenders, ghosts, take soil samples, check flight patterns, lights from stadiums, noise from trains or anything else you can dream up...this is the time to do it! If for any reason, something doesn't suit your fancy and you just can't live with it or the seller can't fix it, you can get out of your contract and only forfeit your due diligence money.
That's right!! During this period the buyer can "walk" from the property for any reason or no reason whatsoever. This means that the negotiated amount of money put down for the negotiated period of time needs to make sense for buyer and seller. Again, all of this is negotiable.
Before you think that this favors the buyer or seller, one over the other let's look at some scenarios.
A) If the buyer is getting a 100% loan, then they may not have a lot of "extra" cash laying around to bring to the table for due diligence, so maybe the time period is shorter to investigate the property. The buyer and seller could ask that the inspections to be performed in the first week or two so that anything unusual in the "typical" inspections could be addressed. The period of time could still allow for full loan approval which usually takes a little longer than two weeks BUT the buyer now has "skin in the game" since they are out of pocket with the cost of inspections, which on the low side would be $400+.
As the buyer has more of their own money, the likelihood they walk away for something petty, is typically decreased. By the time the buyer has the minimum inspection, appraisal and survey, they are in well over $1000. Usually, it is not easy to walk away from that amount knowing that you are going to have the same out-of-pocket expenses on the next home you purchase.
B) Let's say a buyer is looking at house that has just come on the market and it is HOT! The buyer knows they need to get their financial ducks in a row, because they weren't even planning on buying this soon. If they can get the seller to accept their offer, they can use the due diligence period to get their loan in place but the seller is skeptical to take the home off the market for these buyers knowing they are not quite ready to close. The buyer in this situation may offer the seller a larger due diligence amount, showing that they are serious, knowing that the house is in good shape and is desirable to other buyers. Their money may be non-refundable, but they also know it's a credit to them at closing and they love the house and intend on buying it barring something major. This also, provides a little cash to the seller in the event something does come up during the inspections that needs correcting.
The due diligence period is also the time to negotiate repairs. If the buyer and seller cannot come to terms during the due diligence period as to what will and will not be repaired, the buyer can terminate the contract. Usually, buyer and seller do come to terms and there is a give and take. This is an appropriate place to note that repairs do not have to be completed before the end of the due diligence period, only before closing and with adequate time for the buyer to re-inspect the repairs to confirm quality of workmanship.
Due diligence is a great tool that works for both buyers and sellers as they navigate the purchase of real estate. If you have questions about the process, would like more information on local real estate or need a first-hand referral to an agent in our worldwide network, don't hesitate to reach out to me via email, phone or text.
Cheers!
Brooke
Monday, August 18, 2014
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
School's Out for the Summer...
Well for some of us.
My daughter's last day of school was this past Friday and I know that many of our friends are also rounding out the school year in the next couple of days. This begs the question, what to do with your kids this summer so that the break is just that and not a prison sentence for you or them.
Scheduling camps and structured activities are an important part of the summer experience. It gives kids something to look forward to and gives parents a bit of break from the inevitable "I'm bored" mantra. Camps can be expensive but don't have to be and our area offers several reasonable options for all budgets. It may be that some are full or on a wait list but keep searching and something will present itself. If not, work with other local parents to make up your own camps. Each of you take a day or two to plan and organize activities and field trips. Listed below are links to some area camps that I have had wonderful personal experiences with and some that my daughter has also enjoyed.
Camp DonLee
NC 4-H Camps
Camp HanesYMCA
Old Salem Summer Camps
Sawtooth Summer Art Camps
Children's Theatre Greensboro
Children's Theatre Winston-Salem
With all of those opportunities available, it's tempting to schedule every minute and every day. However, you don't want to take away the beauty that is truly summer. Those lazy days of sleeping in, late breakfasts in front of the t.v watching the Price is Right or lounging by the neighborhood pool. These unstructured days are what summer is all about! Again, it's tempting to allow the kids this freedom to lounge and relax, but make sure that the iPhone isn't the focal point of this time. Having specific times for phone usage is more critical than ever, especially in an age where kids are "hiding" in their phones as a way not to have to interact with other kids and adults. I could write on this topic forever, but let's save it for another day--maybe a good winter post!
Apps to Monitor Phone Usage
It's also a great time for kids to catch up on reading, take a class in an area that interests them or get some additional tutoring for a subject that is challenging for them. Preparation for upcoming courses, as painful as it can be, is a great gift to bestow on your child. The Duke TIP program, some local school boards and organizations such as Sylvan offer new course study and tutoring.
Duke TIP
Sylvan Learning Centers
Earning money, as my daughter gets older, has become more and more important to her. She is interested in having her own "stash" for shopping and sports. This time of year presents itself to establish additional chores, allowing the kids to organize areas of the home that you've been putting off all winter or putting together photo albums that have been stored on memory sticks and in phones. Giving them the opportunity to earn a little of their own cash is a great way to start an understanding of money, its value and a healthy appreciation of how quickly it goes. :)
Money Saving Tips for Teens
Have a wonderful summer break and I would love to hear from you as to what you and your family plan to do with your free time this summer!
Brooke
My daughter's last day of school was this past Friday and I know that many of our friends are also rounding out the school year in the next couple of days. This begs the question, what to do with your kids this summer so that the break is just that and not a prison sentence for you or them.
Scheduling camps and structured activities are an important part of the summer experience. It gives kids something to look forward to and gives parents a bit of break from the inevitable "I'm bored" mantra. Camps can be expensive but don't have to be and our area offers several reasonable options for all budgets. It may be that some are full or on a wait list but keep searching and something will present itself. If not, work with other local parents to make up your own camps. Each of you take a day or two to plan and organize activities and field trips. Listed below are links to some area camps that I have had wonderful personal experiences with and some that my daughter has also enjoyed.
Camp DonLee
NC 4-H Camps
Camp HanesYMCA
Old Salem Summer Camps
Sawtooth Summer Art Camps
Children's Theatre Greensboro
Children's Theatre Winston-Salem
With all of those opportunities available, it's tempting to schedule every minute and every day. However, you don't want to take away the beauty that is truly summer. Those lazy days of sleeping in, late breakfasts in front of the t.v watching the Price is Right or lounging by the neighborhood pool. These unstructured days are what summer is all about! Again, it's tempting to allow the kids this freedom to lounge and relax, but make sure that the iPhone isn't the focal point of this time. Having specific times for phone usage is more critical than ever, especially in an age where kids are "hiding" in their phones as a way not to have to interact with other kids and adults. I could write on this topic forever, but let's save it for another day--maybe a good winter post!
Apps to Monitor Phone Usage
It's also a great time for kids to catch up on reading, take a class in an area that interests them or get some additional tutoring for a subject that is challenging for them. Preparation for upcoming courses, as painful as it can be, is a great gift to bestow on your child. The Duke TIP program, some local school boards and organizations such as Sylvan offer new course study and tutoring.
Duke TIP
Sylvan Learning Centers
Earning money, as my daughter gets older, has become more and more important to her. She is interested in having her own "stash" for shopping and sports. This time of year presents itself to establish additional chores, allowing the kids to organize areas of the home that you've been putting off all winter or putting together photo albums that have been stored on memory sticks and in phones. Giving them the opportunity to earn a little of their own cash is a great way to start an understanding of money, its value and a healthy appreciation of how quickly it goes. :)
Money Saving Tips for Teens
Have a wonderful summer break and I would love to hear from you as to what you and your family plan to do with your free time this summer!
Brooke
Monday, April 28, 2014
Good is Good and Great is Better!
With first quarter's difficult numbers behind us, the real estate market has put the petal to the metal! Coming up to catch a breath to even write this piece, has been difficult at best. That's the bad news...that you haven't seen this article earlier. The good news is, that the subject applies even more today than it did several weeks ago when I was planning on publishing the post.
We are listing homes like crazy and they are selling in record times and some with multiple offers. Then why, you might ask, has your home gotten little activity or lackluster feedback coupled with no offers? In most cases these homes that are selling have the perfect combination of great pricing and great condition. What exactly does that mean?
Pricing your home realistically is of course, important. Having your home clean and organized is important. However, just being good, is well, good but being great, is GREAT! Sure, good homes sell everyday but GREAT homes shine and command what they want in terms and pricing. Most of this is about realistic expectations when it comes to where the market is today and the perceived recovery of the market. Sellers who understand that market recovery doesn't mean the peak prices of 2006 are the ones benefiting from the uptick in activity. They, along with the guidance of their agent, are realistic as to what homes are selling for in their area today, not yesteryear. They are pricing to sell, within the range of other homes in their area and are doing the pre-sale work such as serious de-cluttering, staging with the assistance of professionals and some are going as far as pre-inspections, making repairs and professional landscaping. Other little gems include adding home warranties, always being show-ready and do most anything that it takes to bring those buyers into a near-perfect situation.
I certainly understand that not everyone feels that they can up-end their household to get their home in this condition, but the folks that are making these sacrifices are getting paid in the end, not only by their homes selling but by being able to take advantage of those interest rates that are still on the historically low side.
If you would like your home to be a SUPERSTAR home, give me a call or shoot me an email and let's talk!
Brooke
We are listing homes like crazy and they are selling in record times and some with multiple offers. Then why, you might ask, has your home gotten little activity or lackluster feedback coupled with no offers? In most cases these homes that are selling have the perfect combination of great pricing and great condition. What exactly does that mean?
Pricing your home realistically is of course, important. Having your home clean and organized is important. However, just being good, is well, good but being great, is GREAT! Sure, good homes sell everyday but GREAT homes shine and command what they want in terms and pricing. Most of this is about realistic expectations when it comes to where the market is today and the perceived recovery of the market. Sellers who understand that market recovery doesn't mean the peak prices of 2006 are the ones benefiting from the uptick in activity. They, along with the guidance of their agent, are realistic as to what homes are selling for in their area today, not yesteryear. They are pricing to sell, within the range of other homes in their area and are doing the pre-sale work such as serious de-cluttering, staging with the assistance of professionals and some are going as far as pre-inspections, making repairs and professional landscaping. Other little gems include adding home warranties, always being show-ready and do most anything that it takes to bring those buyers into a near-perfect situation.
I certainly understand that not everyone feels that they can up-end their household to get their home in this condition, but the folks that are making these sacrifices are getting paid in the end, not only by their homes selling but by being able to take advantage of those interest rates that are still on the historically low side.
If you would like your home to be a SUPERSTAR home, give me a call or shoot me an email and let's talk!
Brooke
Monday, January 27, 2014
Why Advertising Sells Homes...
Advertising in real estate has changed dramatically over the years and even more so through the "Great Recession". Where agents and real estate firms typically filled the pages of newspapers and the voids of mailboxes, the tide changed when expense began to outweigh income. However, a successful agent knows that staying relevant and continuing to advertise even through economic downturns is key to capturing market share and to successfully selling homes.
I have structured my advertising to bolster my sellers' home's exposure, create brand-awareness, to stay top of mind and to make sure that both buyers and sellers are receiving the best, the most current and the most accurate information as it pertains to the local real estate market. The advertising drives consumers to the website which not only allows them to search ALL homes on the market, but it also features a wide-array of bonuses such as mapping, virtual tours, local blogs, links to facebook and twitter and means to communicate with me on the client's time frame.
As new buyers and sellers are entering the marketplace, broader advertising such as the billboard, helps me to meet clients not yet working with an agent or not yet sure of our market, it's inventory and it's opportunity.
More targeted advertising, such as the Triad Business Journal focuses on being a resource to established decision-makers in the community, who know that they need an agent who takes their profession seriously and can get the job done from the first timely introduction to the last signature on the settlement statement.
Marry these sources of advertising to other marketing resources such as the targeted mailers, the yard signs and our company's amazing marketing campaign and you then have a formula which sells homes on a regular basis, normally out-performing the marketplace on a whole.
That doesn't mean that a great agent only needs to understand marketing. That's a topic for another day. :) The ability to follow-through after the listing presentation is where top agents know the "rubber meets the road". All of the advertising in the world is worthless if at the end of the day the home doesn't sell or the buyer doesn't find what they are looking for.
Where do you go to find agents and homes? I'd love to hear about your experiences with real estate advertising!
Brooke
I have structured my advertising to bolster my sellers' home's exposure, create brand-awareness, to stay top of mind and to make sure that both buyers and sellers are receiving the best, the most current and the most accurate information as it pertains to the local real estate market. The advertising drives consumers to the website which not only allows them to search ALL homes on the market, but it also features a wide-array of bonuses such as mapping, virtual tours, local blogs, links to facebook and twitter and means to communicate with me on the client's time frame.
As new buyers and sellers are entering the marketplace, broader advertising such as the billboard, helps me to meet clients not yet working with an agent or not yet sure of our market, it's inventory and it's opportunity.
More targeted advertising, such as the Triad Business Journal focuses on being a resource to established decision-makers in the community, who know that they need an agent who takes their profession seriously and can get the job done from the first timely introduction to the last signature on the settlement statement.
Marry these sources of advertising to other marketing resources such as the targeted mailers, the yard signs and our company's amazing marketing campaign and you then have a formula which sells homes on a regular basis, normally out-performing the marketplace on a whole.
That doesn't mean that a great agent only needs to understand marketing. That's a topic for another day. :) The ability to follow-through after the listing presentation is where top agents know the "rubber meets the road". All of the advertising in the world is worthless if at the end of the day the home doesn't sell or the buyer doesn't find what they are looking for.
Where do you go to find agents and homes? I'd love to hear about your experiences with real estate advertising!
Brooke
Friday, January 24, 2014
How to Make Existing Homes Better than NEW!!
If you have ever looked for a home, you have probably looked at existing construction. This is not new construction that has been built as a spec or part of a community, but for our intent and purpose we'll define "existing construction" as homes who have had someone living in them. Easy enough-right?
Well, we also know that with someone or several someone's living in a home come those scrapes, dings, scuffs, stains, dirt and grime that are a very real part of our day to day living. We also know that someone else's choice of turquoise carpet or that orange "accent" wall just might not be the perfect match for our furniture or style. You don't care for the black toilet, the brass hardware or the carpeted bathroom but you love the style, the lot, the location and everything else about it. If only you had the extra money to make the improvements and updates and have money for a down payment! You know the area is perfect for your family and the construction is quality--too bad right? Nope! There is a possible solution! You may or may not have heard of renovation loans, sometimes referred to as 203k loans. These nifty loan programs allow you have work quoted by your choice of licensed contractors and include the improvements in your loan with as little as 3.5% in a down payment!
This is a great solution for older homes in established neighborhoods that just need some updating in master baths, kitchens, and décor OR maybe the home needs new windows, a roof or more systematic improvements because the cosmetics were completed recently. Either way, this loan is an option but certainly needs the guidance and advice of a trusted team in order to coordinate getting the job done in a timely and professional manner.
Should this sound like a product that you might be interested in, contact me and I will put you in touch with our renovation loan specialist, LuAnn Davis at Premier Commercial Bank. We will both guide you through the process including assistance in contractor selection and interior designer selection for larger projects. We will then work with our team to expedite the process through closing to bring you the home that you want, where you want it, in the condition you love!
Never look at existing homes the same way again! Listed below are a few of my listings that would be great candidates for the renovation program! Also, below the photos you will find LuAnn's contact information as well as mine should you have questions or would just be interested in additional information.
Well, we also know that with someone or several someone's living in a home come those scrapes, dings, scuffs, stains, dirt and grime that are a very real part of our day to day living. We also know that someone else's choice of turquoise carpet or that orange "accent" wall just might not be the perfect match for our furniture or style. You don't care for the black toilet, the brass hardware or the carpeted bathroom but you love the style, the lot, the location and everything else about it. If only you had the extra money to make the improvements and updates and have money for a down payment! You know the area is perfect for your family and the construction is quality--too bad right? Nope! There is a possible solution! You may or may not have heard of renovation loans, sometimes referred to as 203k loans. These nifty loan programs allow you have work quoted by your choice of licensed contractors and include the improvements in your loan with as little as 3.5% in a down payment!
This is a great solution for older homes in established neighborhoods that just need some updating in master baths, kitchens, and décor OR maybe the home needs new windows, a roof or more systematic improvements because the cosmetics were completed recently. Either way, this loan is an option but certainly needs the guidance and advice of a trusted team in order to coordinate getting the job done in a timely and professional manner.
Should this sound like a product that you might be interested in, contact me and I will put you in touch with our renovation loan specialist, LuAnn Davis at Premier Commercial Bank. We will both guide you through the process including assistance in contractor selection and interior designer selection for larger projects. We will then work with our team to expedite the process through closing to bring you the home that you want, where you want it, in the condition you love!
Never look at existing homes the same way again! Listed below are a few of my listings that would be great candidates for the renovation program! Also, below the photos you will find LuAnn's contact information as well as mine should you have questions or would just be interested in additional information.
JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE LINK WITH HOME DETAILS AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS!
LuAnn Davis-Premier Commercial Bank
336-253-7220 LDavis@premierbanknc.com
Brooke Cashion, GRI, ABR, Realtor
336-817-3598 Brooke.Cashion@allentate.com
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Float a Little Float...
Not down a river and not with a boat, it's 1000 pounds of salt, a capsule with a lid, pitch black and silent with the exception of your heartbeat and your breathing. If this sounds like something science-fiction, well, it kind of is. Studies using sensory-deprivation or floatation therapy began in the 1940's as a way to study the brain, essentially trying to see if the brain could be forced into a meditative state for a variety of reasons including therapeutic and medical reasons. Today, floatation is used mainly for relaxation and meditation though it seems effective for certain medical conditions by alleviating anxiety and promoting healing.
Our first experience floating was encouraged by our herbalist and a living social coupon that was emailed to me. I purchased one for both Jake and myself. We scheduled our sessions separately, as you typically don't float together. Each session was booked for two hours to include prep time but our actual floating time was 60 minutes. Upon arriving, you shower in a very spa-like setting that includes fresh towels, a spongy bath mat and sensory lights for each room so you don't worry about turning lights off and on. Once you enter the floating capsule you have control depending on your comfort level. There is an intercom if you have questions, otherwise, you are alone to experience the process as you feel comfortable. I was concerned about being claustrophobic, so I rolled up a towel and inserted it between the lid and the chamber giving me about 6 inches of air and space until I felt adjusted. After what I believe to be 10 minutes I was comfortable enough to close the lid completely.
Because you are in 1000 pounds of Epsom salt, it is impossible not to float and it is effortless, unlike floating in the ocean or a pool. With your arms in candlestick position, opening up your heart chakra, you immediately feel muscles relaxing and your body sinking into a comfortable and pressure-free state. After a few more minutes you can't even tell where the water begins and the air and your body end. The water is at your body temperature so there is no fear of getting too hot or cold.
Each person's actual experience in the chamber is different and I don't want to artificially impose my experiences on you but I will say that I reached what I considered a low end meditative state that was still more intense than any dream or sleep that I had encountered. I also feel that if I go back for future sessions that I will be more comfortable with the process and could reach a deeper state of meditation and relaxation. I found this a great time to release thoughts, to pray, to be still and quiet. All of which I rarely do.
Upon exiting, there is one thing that Jake and I agreed was most overwhelming and that was the sensation of well-being. Whether it's sitting in the salt an hour, absorbing magnesium, or just the passive relaxation without hands on you or music playing or light or other worldly distractions, it did seem to put things in perspective for a while. Both us of see ourselves going back for future sessions.
I would definitely encourage anyone interested in trying this form of relaxation to give it a try. Locally, you can go to Kernersville Hot Yoga and use their chamber. They sell individual floats and packages. You might also want to check LivingSocial and Groupon for deals. I leave you with the words from a sign in the chamber room that really touched me. As you consider whether or not this is for you, ask yourself, how often do you practice the following?
"Be Still and Know that I am GOD"
Our first experience floating was encouraged by our herbalist and a living social coupon that was emailed to me. I purchased one for both Jake and myself. We scheduled our sessions separately, as you typically don't float together. Each session was booked for two hours to include prep time but our actual floating time was 60 minutes. Upon arriving, you shower in a very spa-like setting that includes fresh towels, a spongy bath mat and sensory lights for each room so you don't worry about turning lights off and on. Once you enter the floating capsule you have control depending on your comfort level. There is an intercom if you have questions, otherwise, you are alone to experience the process as you feel comfortable. I was concerned about being claustrophobic, so I rolled up a towel and inserted it between the lid and the chamber giving me about 6 inches of air and space until I felt adjusted. After what I believe to be 10 minutes I was comfortable enough to close the lid completely.
Because you are in 1000 pounds of Epsom salt, it is impossible not to float and it is effortless, unlike floating in the ocean or a pool. With your arms in candlestick position, opening up your heart chakra, you immediately feel muscles relaxing and your body sinking into a comfortable and pressure-free state. After a few more minutes you can't even tell where the water begins and the air and your body end. The water is at your body temperature so there is no fear of getting too hot or cold.
Each person's actual experience in the chamber is different and I don't want to artificially impose my experiences on you but I will say that I reached what I considered a low end meditative state that was still more intense than any dream or sleep that I had encountered. I also feel that if I go back for future sessions that I will be more comfortable with the process and could reach a deeper state of meditation and relaxation. I found this a great time to release thoughts, to pray, to be still and quiet. All of which I rarely do.
Upon exiting, there is one thing that Jake and I agreed was most overwhelming and that was the sensation of well-being. Whether it's sitting in the salt an hour, absorbing magnesium, or just the passive relaxation without hands on you or music playing or light or other worldly distractions, it did seem to put things in perspective for a while. Both us of see ourselves going back for future sessions.
I would definitely encourage anyone interested in trying this form of relaxation to give it a try. Locally, you can go to Kernersville Hot Yoga and use their chamber. They sell individual floats and packages. You might also want to check LivingSocial and Groupon for deals. I leave you with the words from a sign in the chamber room that really touched me. As you consider whether or not this is for you, ask yourself, how often do you practice the following?
"Be Still and Know that I am GOD"
Spring Market is Starting to Bud...
You've talked about since October but it was too late, too cold, too many holiday plans, too much family in town, too much to do. Now it's time. Yes, it's that time of year when the seeds you planted in the late fall have started to bud. You know that you need more (or less) house and that while rates are still reasonably low, you know that it's a good time to purchase. Even better, it appears that prices have stabilized and buyers have become more rational as to pricing expectations. You might not have to give your house away in order to move on. Let's talk about what you can do to transform that bud into a flower to picked in the upcoming Spring Real Estate Market.
*Interview Agents- a) choose your agent based on productivity in the previous year b) make sure they have a marketing plan that complements your expectations c) make sure you agent is FULL-TIME d) talk about communication expectations--don't settle for an agent who puts a sign in the yard and never calls or emails again
*De-Clutter and De-Personalize- a) put up your holiday decorations b) cull closets and cabinets down to half c) go ahead and pack up collectibles and personal belongings that you don't use every day (remember, you're moving)
*Clean- a good deep clean which includes ceiling fans, baseboards, windows and air vents/returns. Don't forget to have carpets professionally cleaned if they are excessively dirty or stained.
*Landscaping- have a plan to spruce your landscaping and budget for it so that when you are one week from putting the home on the market you don't have a panic attack as to how many bails of pine needles you need or if the front stoop needs planters. A good agent can assist with this.
*Sign paperwork- don't wait until the day that you want to be on the market to reach out to your agent regarding paperwork and getting the house on the market. An experienced, successful agent knows that it may take a week or two to prepare the home for it's big market debut. A professional agent will many times use a professional photographer, stager and others to make sure your home has it's best "footing" forward. Our team employs several professionals that allow our listings to stand out from other homes on the market.
*Breathe- selling a home is not easy for sure, but worrying too much about things out of your or your agent's control can set you up for disaster. Use the time you are out of your house for showings to enjoy something as a family that you might not have had time for before. Grab a cup of coffee, visit the bookstore or unique, local shops. Make the best of the situation. You'll appreciate it, your agent will love you for it and the buyer will sense it as they look at your home and being negotiations with you.
*Interview Agents- a) choose your agent based on productivity in the previous year b) make sure they have a marketing plan that complements your expectations c) make sure you agent is FULL-TIME d) talk about communication expectations--don't settle for an agent who puts a sign in the yard and never calls or emails again
*De-Clutter and De-Personalize- a) put up your holiday decorations b) cull closets and cabinets down to half c) go ahead and pack up collectibles and personal belongings that you don't use every day (remember, you're moving)
*Clean- a good deep clean which includes ceiling fans, baseboards, windows and air vents/returns. Don't forget to have carpets professionally cleaned if they are excessively dirty or stained.
*Landscaping- have a plan to spruce your landscaping and budget for it so that when you are one week from putting the home on the market you don't have a panic attack as to how many bails of pine needles you need or if the front stoop needs planters. A good agent can assist with this.
*Sign paperwork- don't wait until the day that you want to be on the market to reach out to your agent regarding paperwork and getting the house on the market. An experienced, successful agent knows that it may take a week or two to prepare the home for it's big market debut. A professional agent will many times use a professional photographer, stager and others to make sure your home has it's best "footing" forward. Our team employs several professionals that allow our listings to stand out from other homes on the market.
*Breathe- selling a home is not easy for sure, but worrying too much about things out of your or your agent's control can set you up for disaster. Use the time you are out of your house for showings to enjoy something as a family that you might not have had time for before. Grab a cup of coffee, visit the bookstore or unique, local shops. Make the best of the situation. You'll appreciate it, your agent will love you for it and the buyer will sense it as they look at your home and being negotiations with you.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Water, Sewer and Trash...Oh My!
If I had the proverbial quarter for every time a client told me that they didn't want to pay city taxes, I'd be a millionaire! I thought this would be a great time to blog about this topic given Aqua's recent push to increase rates without utility hearings. Several neighborhoods in Forsyth county are serviced by Aqua, such as Abington and Salem Glen. Understandably, it is clear that the tax rate between cities and county rates can be far apart. The certain lure and appeal of the lower rate sure seems enticing but it's important to make sure you know what you receive and don't receive for those annual property taxes and how it impacts your monthly budget outlay. First let's look at some basic, general differences.
City taxes usually encompass services such as a dedicated police and fire department, parks and recreation, public water/sewer access, trash/recycling/bulk pick-up and street maintenance. Of course, this is not inclusive of all cities. Some cities provide more or less depending on their structure and budget.
County taxes in the Triad usually cover county-wide services such as parks, schools and have add-ons for local fire jurisdictions depending again, on county size, budget and location.
Let's start by talking specifically about Kernersville. I have clients that have purchased in Abington and enjoyed the lower tax rates. However, it does not take long for these folks to realize that the private water company rates are far higher than city/county utility rates and can often increase on a regular basis, sending budgets into orbit. Add to that, trash and recycling collection which can tack on another $40-50 every two months. There are instances when averaged out, the expense of living in the county, outside of the city limits, can actually be equal to or more than living in the city limits. Of course, keep in mind, this determined on a case by case basis, not a generalization across the board. These same residents in Abington are served by the Sheriff's department and a volunteer or limited staffed fire department which generally has a longer response time than city police and fire. Let me be clear, this is NOT because of inefficiency of the departments, but more in part to the amount of area these providers have to cover. Again, something to keep in mind if you or a family member have regular need of medical service.
If you are not hooked up to city services such as water/sewer, the maintenance of septic tanks and wells should also be considered in your budgeting. On the flip side, not having to rely on or pay a bill for well water or sewer can be an upside and a boon to budget savings. Again, all is situational depending on the past maintenance, age and depth.
The bottom line is that you need to know up front, using the assistance of your real estate professional, what services the property taxes include and what services you might be required to pay for out of pocket on a monthly basis. It is important to make sure that your agent understands and has access/knowledge of these items in the city or area of the county you are interested in living. These items, especially ones that could increase exponentially over time or that you could be assessed for in the future could play a large role in the affordability of your purchase. At first glance it might appear that you are choosing an area that is less expensive with a smaller property tax impact. Knowledge is certainly power and power comes from planning...Happy House Hunting!
If you are interested in this topic, check out my Facebook page at Brooke Cashion & Associates to view an article we posted today (November 19, 2013) on a potential rate increase by Aqua for their NC clients. If you do not have access to a Facebook account, feel free to email me at Brooke.Cashion@allentate.com and I will send you a link to the article.
Brooke
City taxes usually encompass services such as a dedicated police and fire department, parks and recreation, public water/sewer access, trash/recycling/bulk pick-up and street maintenance. Of course, this is not inclusive of all cities. Some cities provide more or less depending on their structure and budget.
County taxes in the Triad usually cover county-wide services such as parks, schools and have add-ons for local fire jurisdictions depending again, on county size, budget and location.
Let's start by talking specifically about Kernersville. I have clients that have purchased in Abington and enjoyed the lower tax rates. However, it does not take long for these folks to realize that the private water company rates are far higher than city/county utility rates and can often increase on a regular basis, sending budgets into orbit. Add to that, trash and recycling collection which can tack on another $40-50 every two months. There are instances when averaged out, the expense of living in the county, outside of the city limits, can actually be equal to or more than living in the city limits. Of course, keep in mind, this determined on a case by case basis, not a generalization across the board. These same residents in Abington are served by the Sheriff's department and a volunteer or limited staffed fire department which generally has a longer response time than city police and fire. Let me be clear, this is NOT because of inefficiency of the departments, but more in part to the amount of area these providers have to cover. Again, something to keep in mind if you or a family member have regular need of medical service.
If you are not hooked up to city services such as water/sewer, the maintenance of septic tanks and wells should also be considered in your budgeting. On the flip side, not having to rely on or pay a bill for well water or sewer can be an upside and a boon to budget savings. Again, all is situational depending on the past maintenance, age and depth.
The bottom line is that you need to know up front, using the assistance of your real estate professional, what services the property taxes include and what services you might be required to pay for out of pocket on a monthly basis. It is important to make sure that your agent understands and has access/knowledge of these items in the city or area of the county you are interested in living. These items, especially ones that could increase exponentially over time or that you could be assessed for in the future could play a large role in the affordability of your purchase. At first glance it might appear that you are choosing an area that is less expensive with a smaller property tax impact. Knowledge is certainly power and power comes from planning...Happy House Hunting!
If you are interested in this topic, check out my Facebook page at Brooke Cashion & Associates to view an article we posted today (November 19, 2013) on a potential rate increase by Aqua for their NC clients. If you do not have access to a Facebook account, feel free to email me at Brooke.Cashion@allentate.com and I will send you a link to the article.
Brooke
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Can You Feel It?
The news and social media outlets are all abuzz with the latest developments (or lack thereof) and implications of the recent government shut down. It has an impact on your personal life in some degree, but to what extent may be contingent upon your career, economic station and receipt of government subsidized services. For the women on the WIC program, which is a program that provides vouchers for formula and baby needs, the end of the month is going to come very quickly and abruptly if those vouchers stop being issued. If you are a government employee that is labeled "non-essential" then you may be furloughed currently and waiting on being called back to work. However, for the majority of Americans, the impacts are felt in far more subtle and potentially further-reaching ways. The impact to our economy's vibrancy and confidence, the impact to our personal liberties and freedoms and the impact to our trust and pride in our government are sure to have lasting implications that reach far beyond the shutdown.
To try and understand the fragile nature of our current economy in a blog post is impossible. However, we all understand that we just started to gain traction in one of the longest and nastiest recessions our country has ever seen. Given the relatively young age of our country, I liken this latest recession to our high school years. Self-assuredness, that most would view as "cocky", lots of blemishes masked by layers of political "make-up" and a complete lack of understanding of how finances work because a real job has yet to be gotten.
Our elected officials and some of our citizens have plunged head-on into careless spending, unfathomable debt and an overinflated self worth that showboats from campaign event to Congress without regard for feeling or common sense. Does it sound like your teenager? Not a lot of difference and you know that trying to reason with this arrogance is a futile effort at times. Now let's all recall those unsightly acne blemishes that were a part of most of our teen years. Painful and embarrassing but covering them with make-up usually didn't do a stellar job of hiding them, only making them worse. The same holds true with our current situations. Let's address debt, let's address voter fraud, let's address social welfare and call it for what it is. It's ugly, it's painful and it's a sore spot. However, pretending that adding debt to debt will allow our country to prosper, pretending that voter fraud is somehow race-related or pretending that social welfare programs are not widely abused by able-bodied Americans is going to exacerbate an already raging case of ugliness. Now, let's move on to the "job" situation. How many times has your teen asked (begged) for money? Sometimes, unreasonable amounts of money or goods are asked for. As the adult, you can usually step back from the situation, after the major meltdown with said teen, and reason that they have no concept of money because they have never held a real job or career. This is no different than our government. They haven't produced anything, typically are far-removed from private sector businesses, large or small, and have no problem spending money and taking money that is not theirs. When you're a teen, it's tough to understand why your parents just can't see it your way and how bad you need that car, pair of shoes, new phone, etc. You're crazed with the "wanting" of it to be "in" and "popular." You'll do anything to get it. Some teens even resort to shoplifting they desire an item so badly. So does our government. We the people have elected these folks to represent OUR understanding that tough decisions have to be made in the best interest and responsibility of our current financial situations. We have a budget that takes care of the basics but beyond that they are simply wants which have NO place in the American economy.
When these common-sense core values of the majority of Americans are chipped away, both by small and large amounts, the reasonably aware citizen begins with a mild frustration expressed to friends in conversation and around the office with little commitment to action. The frustration then builds as they see others feel the same way. The frustration then turns to situational anger as they see the very personal toll it is having on their finances and life through taxation and forced programs. What comes next is difficult to say because I believe we as Americans are here. On the cusp of a rolling anger due to the clear fact that we've been justified in knowing that we now have tough choices to make. How far does this go? How determined are we to make sure our elected officials know what happens outside of the beltway? The sounds of freedom are rumbling like a storm on the horizon and stepping up to battle the winds of change. The resilience and ingenuity of our citizens have been like no other nation in the world, however, it now stands to be seen if those fibers have continued to be interwoven into the newest of citizens and our most recent generations.
Much like our teen years; if properly guided through solid leadership and example, we do come out on the other side. Yes, we have painful memories that we turn to life lessons, and we have scars and losses that we learned from, but we make it and are better for it. For those who don't have the guidance, guardrails and guidelines needed to weather those difficult years, we've seen the outcome too. Enabled, entitled and dejected individuals who are angry and don't know why. But for those that made it, we know why. We know that through the nasty feelings, the poor decisions, the temper-tantrums and the heartbreaks, that someone in our lives cared enough to make the tough decisions and to lead the way to teaching us independence. It is in that independence of both our personal adulthood and our country's, in which we establish value, hard work and earned success, therefore freeing us from a lifelong resentment of failure and regret.
To try and understand the fragile nature of our current economy in a blog post is impossible. However, we all understand that we just started to gain traction in one of the longest and nastiest recessions our country has ever seen. Given the relatively young age of our country, I liken this latest recession to our high school years. Self-assuredness, that most would view as "cocky", lots of blemishes masked by layers of political "make-up" and a complete lack of understanding of how finances work because a real job has yet to be gotten.
Our elected officials and some of our citizens have plunged head-on into careless spending, unfathomable debt and an overinflated self worth that showboats from campaign event to Congress without regard for feeling or common sense. Does it sound like your teenager? Not a lot of difference and you know that trying to reason with this arrogance is a futile effort at times. Now let's all recall those unsightly acne blemishes that were a part of most of our teen years. Painful and embarrassing but covering them with make-up usually didn't do a stellar job of hiding them, only making them worse. The same holds true with our current situations. Let's address debt, let's address voter fraud, let's address social welfare and call it for what it is. It's ugly, it's painful and it's a sore spot. However, pretending that adding debt to debt will allow our country to prosper, pretending that voter fraud is somehow race-related or pretending that social welfare programs are not widely abused by able-bodied Americans is going to exacerbate an already raging case of ugliness. Now, let's move on to the "job" situation. How many times has your teen asked (begged) for money? Sometimes, unreasonable amounts of money or goods are asked for. As the adult, you can usually step back from the situation, after the major meltdown with said teen, and reason that they have no concept of money because they have never held a real job or career. This is no different than our government. They haven't produced anything, typically are far-removed from private sector businesses, large or small, and have no problem spending money and taking money that is not theirs. When you're a teen, it's tough to understand why your parents just can't see it your way and how bad you need that car, pair of shoes, new phone, etc. You're crazed with the "wanting" of it to be "in" and "popular." You'll do anything to get it. Some teens even resort to shoplifting they desire an item so badly. So does our government. We the people have elected these folks to represent OUR understanding that tough decisions have to be made in the best interest and responsibility of our current financial situations. We have a budget that takes care of the basics but beyond that they are simply wants which have NO place in the American economy.
When these common-sense core values of the majority of Americans are chipped away, both by small and large amounts, the reasonably aware citizen begins with a mild frustration expressed to friends in conversation and around the office with little commitment to action. The frustration then builds as they see others feel the same way. The frustration then turns to situational anger as they see the very personal toll it is having on their finances and life through taxation and forced programs. What comes next is difficult to say because I believe we as Americans are here. On the cusp of a rolling anger due to the clear fact that we've been justified in knowing that we now have tough choices to make. How far does this go? How determined are we to make sure our elected officials know what happens outside of the beltway? The sounds of freedom are rumbling like a storm on the horizon and stepping up to battle the winds of change. The resilience and ingenuity of our citizens have been like no other nation in the world, however, it now stands to be seen if those fibers have continued to be interwoven into the newest of citizens and our most recent generations.
Much like our teen years; if properly guided through solid leadership and example, we do come out on the other side. Yes, we have painful memories that we turn to life lessons, and we have scars and losses that we learned from, but we make it and are better for it. For those who don't have the guidance, guardrails and guidelines needed to weather those difficult years, we've seen the outcome too. Enabled, entitled and dejected individuals who are angry and don't know why. But for those that made it, we know why. We know that through the nasty feelings, the poor decisions, the temper-tantrums and the heartbreaks, that someone in our lives cared enough to make the tough decisions and to lead the way to teaching us independence. It is in that independence of both our personal adulthood and our country's, in which we establish value, hard work and earned success, therefore freeing us from a lifelong resentment of failure and regret.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Kernersville USDA Eligibility Ending!
One of the best and one of the last 100% loan programs in our area, the USDA Rural Housing program has shifted it's boundaries to reflect population changes in the Triad. Since the most recent census, those of us in the real estate industry knew that the maps would be redrawn, as areas, that historically have been considered rural, moved into suburban or urban categories. However, for the past several years, we have been out of the line of sight and enjoyed using this program in areas such as Kernersville, Reidsville and Eden. Per the most recent maps, some of those areas will no longer be eligible.
That leaves a definite void for buyers who have had the option to use this 100% product. It appears that one of the last traditional 100% loans will be the VA loan. However, you must be a veteran which again limits buyers' options. There are several credit unions that offer a 100% product but it can come in the form of an adjustable rate product OR have other stipulation that was not as attractive as the USDA loan.
This could be a sign that the overall housing market is continuing to improve or at least appears to be in Congress' eyes. As a Realtor who uses this product quite a bit in the Kernersville area, I definitely see it having an impact on buyer's options and sellers ability to sell to a larger market of buyers.
It appeared that the new maps would take effect October 1 and that buyers in the pipeline before that point would be grandfathered in. However, a recent development shows that December 1 is the new deadline meaning that IF you are considering a purchase in the Kernersville area AND would like to use and are eligible for the 100% USDA program, you need to act quickly. As always, if you do not have a relationship with a Realtor, please call or email me and I will be happy to assist you in finding suitable property and working you through the process with a reputable lender.
Brooke
That leaves a definite void for buyers who have had the option to use this 100% product. It appears that one of the last traditional 100% loans will be the VA loan. However, you must be a veteran which again limits buyers' options. There are several credit unions that offer a 100% product but it can come in the form of an adjustable rate product OR have other stipulation that was not as attractive as the USDA loan.
This could be a sign that the overall housing market is continuing to improve or at least appears to be in Congress' eyes. As a Realtor who uses this product quite a bit in the Kernersville area, I definitely see it having an impact on buyer's options and sellers ability to sell to a larger market of buyers.
It appeared that the new maps would take effect October 1 and that buyers in the pipeline before that point would be grandfathered in. However, a recent development shows that December 1 is the new deadline meaning that IF you are considering a purchase in the Kernersville area AND would like to use and are eligible for the 100% USDA program, you need to act quickly. As always, if you do not have a relationship with a Realtor, please call or email me and I will be happy to assist you in finding suitable property and working you through the process with a reputable lender.
Brooke
Fall Fun!
It's that time of the year in the Triad where activities abound and this weekend is one of those opportunities! It looks as if the weather will hold for most of the outdoor activities, which includes the Winston-Salem Air Show. The air show is always an amazing display of aircraft demonstrations, hands-on activities, food and fun! The show does tend to get crowded and parking is sometimes hard to find, but usually if you drive to the end of Fairchild, there is free parking and it's a short walk to the main area.
If music is your thing and you're looking for something to do Saturday night, come out to Bucked Up Super Saloon and check out a CD release party for Johnny Mont. John Montgomery is one of our agents' sons and he has created quite the buzz with his own material and homegrown vocals. It appears he's the real deal and what a great opportunity to catch him local before he goes BIG TIME!!
If crafts and cars are more your speed, you can check out the Triad Ladies' Civitan Classic Car and Craft show, which is all day Saturday off of Bodenheimer Street in Kernersville. The event will take place in the parking lot of New Beginnings Church. Plenty here to do and see, and the perfect time to get an early jump on Christmas shopping!
Several children's consignment sales are going on this weekend and next in and around Winston and Kernersville. These always have some great finds but get there early or try to score "preview" access for the best bargains!
These events are just a sampling of what our community has to offer...share with us what you're up to this weekend or in coming weekends!!
Brooke
If music is your thing and you're looking for something to do Saturday night, come out to Bucked Up Super Saloon and check out a CD release party for Johnny Mont. John Montgomery is one of our agents' sons and he has created quite the buzz with his own material and homegrown vocals. It appears he's the real deal and what a great opportunity to catch him local before he goes BIG TIME!!
If crafts and cars are more your speed, you can check out the Triad Ladies' Civitan Classic Car and Craft show, which is all day Saturday off of Bodenheimer Street in Kernersville. The event will take place in the parking lot of New Beginnings Church. Plenty here to do and see, and the perfect time to get an early jump on Christmas shopping!
Several children's consignment sales are going on this weekend and next in and around Winston and Kernersville. These always have some great finds but get there early or try to score "preview" access for the best bargains!
These events are just a sampling of what our community has to offer...share with us what you're up to this weekend or in coming weekends!!
Brooke
Monday, August 26, 2013
What's Good for the Goose...
Recently a buyer of mine made and had an offer accepted on a HomePath property. For those of you who might not be familiar with HomePath, it is the entity that manages FannieMae and other government-backed, foreclosed properties. To bring you to speed on how this normally works, the property is usually listed with a traditional real estate company and agent. The agents "should" be organized and structured to handle the volume of homes/offers and nuances that come with these properties. There is quite a bit of addenda, online bidding, deadlines, pre-approvals, proof of funds letters, etc. that have to be executed in a tight time frame in order to even have your offer considered. All of these needed items requires agents who are organized and efficient, in order to meet the strict deadlines imposed on bidding and closing these properties. Under normal circumstances, it is usually the buyers' agent that has to hustle to gather up required documentation, overnight and timestamp documents, inspect and close on the government's timeline. Not this time and apparently not now.
My client had his offer accepted online through the HomePath website on a Thursday. We were told that we would immediately have the needed documentation to complete and that it would need to be turned in by 5:00 the same day. This was all via automatic email message. Based on the first offer submitted, my client already had a proof of funds letter that reflected his original offer, an earnest money check that reflected his original offer amount (10% of purchase price) and all signed documents and contracts required. Needless to say, the revised documentation promised never arrived. My assistant and I called and emailed the listing company and finally, at 3:30 on Friday the addenda arrived via email and a request for additional earnest money made out in certified funds to the closing attorney (we had yet to be told if they would accept our attorney of choice) and they had a request for an updated proof of funds letter. We were told via auto-email that if these items weren't received by 6:00 on Sunday our contract would be terminated. My client works (that's why he can buy a house) and could not sign paperwork until Saturday. By the time he got off on Friday his bank was closed so he could not get a new check nor could he get his bank letter verifying funds on hand. Per the email it also said our five day window for inspections had started with the email acceptance. Now mind you, at this point we are going on an automated email and have no seller-signed contract.
I immediately call and email the listing company and let them know that the docs will be in their email by 6:00 on Sunday but the check and letter will be there first thing Monday morning. I receive NO response. Not a confirmation as requested, nothing. So we proceed. I had previously set up inspections as if our bid was accepted, so we inspected on the following Wednesday--a full 5 days after our offer was accepted. Guess what? Still NO seller-signed contract. Part of the stipulation of our offer being accepted was that we close within 10 days. Well, half-way there and still NO seller-signed contract. I or my assistant have emailed and called 3-10 times a day and have gotten no response from the listing agency, other than they are trying to get a signed contract and have not heard from HomePath either. I finally broke down and circumvented the listing agency thinking that they were dragging their feet, only to find out that it's our government. Shocking, I know!!
I left a message for HomePath first of the week and was told that I SHOULD get a call back in the next 72 hours. I did end up with a phone call two days later. The representative left a standard, vanilla message and I immediately called back. No name was given for me to request, no supervisor, no case number, nothing. So you can imagine when I called back, I experienced the same circle. I explained the situation, the demands that they had placed on my client as it related to deadlines, money and documentation and was told that a supervisor would call me back and that it would move up the chain. When I asked for a reference number or person's name, the woman on the other end, threw an attitude and demanded I leave a message in order for my call to be returned. I explained that closing was supposed to occur before their 72 hour window and she hung up. Thank God our tax dollars go towards customer service training...it's definitely paying off.
So here we still sit, two days before "closing" and still no contract, no phone calls and no response to our questions. I did finally get someone at the listing agency to answer my call and she said that she has 6 outstanding contracts that HomePath has not sent back signed. Her HomePath contact told her that they were in training and were behind. Really?! Wow! I should have known this would be a debacle when it took 3 days to even get an appointment with instructions on entry to the home--mind you, it's a vacant, foreclosed home.
How in the world can we be expected to meet government guidelines and put our clients out there to risk their monies, time and energy when our own government can't keep up with it's business at hand. I could go on and on and I am sure this is not the only department nor the only issues and I can assure you that my list of frustrations with this process goes on and goes deeper. Where do we go from here? I'm tired of being the goose...
Brooke
My client had his offer accepted online through the HomePath website on a Thursday. We were told that we would immediately have the needed documentation to complete and that it would need to be turned in by 5:00 the same day. This was all via automatic email message. Based on the first offer submitted, my client already had a proof of funds letter that reflected his original offer, an earnest money check that reflected his original offer amount (10% of purchase price) and all signed documents and contracts required. Needless to say, the revised documentation promised never arrived. My assistant and I called and emailed the listing company and finally, at 3:30 on Friday the addenda arrived via email and a request for additional earnest money made out in certified funds to the closing attorney (we had yet to be told if they would accept our attorney of choice) and they had a request for an updated proof of funds letter. We were told via auto-email that if these items weren't received by 6:00 on Sunday our contract would be terminated. My client works (that's why he can buy a house) and could not sign paperwork until Saturday. By the time he got off on Friday his bank was closed so he could not get a new check nor could he get his bank letter verifying funds on hand. Per the email it also said our five day window for inspections had started with the email acceptance. Now mind you, at this point we are going on an automated email and have no seller-signed contract.
I immediately call and email the listing company and let them know that the docs will be in their email by 6:00 on Sunday but the check and letter will be there first thing Monday morning. I receive NO response. Not a confirmation as requested, nothing. So we proceed. I had previously set up inspections as if our bid was accepted, so we inspected on the following Wednesday--a full 5 days after our offer was accepted. Guess what? Still NO seller-signed contract. Part of the stipulation of our offer being accepted was that we close within 10 days. Well, half-way there and still NO seller-signed contract. I or my assistant have emailed and called 3-10 times a day and have gotten no response from the listing agency, other than they are trying to get a signed contract and have not heard from HomePath either. I finally broke down and circumvented the listing agency thinking that they were dragging their feet, only to find out that it's our government. Shocking, I know!!
I left a message for HomePath first of the week and was told that I SHOULD get a call back in the next 72 hours. I did end up with a phone call two days later. The representative left a standard, vanilla message and I immediately called back. No name was given for me to request, no supervisor, no case number, nothing. So you can imagine when I called back, I experienced the same circle. I explained the situation, the demands that they had placed on my client as it related to deadlines, money and documentation and was told that a supervisor would call me back and that it would move up the chain. When I asked for a reference number or person's name, the woman on the other end, threw an attitude and demanded I leave a message in order for my call to be returned. I explained that closing was supposed to occur before their 72 hour window and she hung up. Thank God our tax dollars go towards customer service training...it's definitely paying off.
So here we still sit, two days before "closing" and still no contract, no phone calls and no response to our questions. I did finally get someone at the listing agency to answer my call and she said that she has 6 outstanding contracts that HomePath has not sent back signed. Her HomePath contact told her that they were in training and were behind. Really?! Wow! I should have known this would be a debacle when it took 3 days to even get an appointment with instructions on entry to the home--mind you, it's a vacant, foreclosed home.
How in the world can we be expected to meet government guidelines and put our clients out there to risk their monies, time and energy when our own government can't keep up with it's business at hand. I could go on and on and I am sure this is not the only department nor the only issues and I can assure you that my list of frustrations with this process goes on and goes deeper. Where do we go from here? I'm tired of being the goose...
Brooke
Friday, August 23, 2013
Weighing In...
Jake, Maddie and I recently traveled to Florida for our summer vacation and decided that rather than drive, we would enjoy the luxury of flying. I fly somewhat regularly but usually it's just me, not the entire family. We have been in dire need of new luggage for quite sometime and after our trip to Montana, Jake vowed that never again would we take that set of luggage with us anywhere.
I made a trip to Costco for some very reasonable and sturdy Samsonite luggage that consisted of the new, plastic-like material that gives the luggage a hard shell, as opposed to the cloth that we had previously owned and recently threw away. I thought I had really made a wise investment with my purchase of one large piece and a smaller, carry-on bag, both complete with wheels that rolled in all directions!! Saturday night prior to our Sunday afternoon departure, we began packing. Jake and I had planned on sharing the "big" bag and Maddie would have the smaller carry-on bag. We had paid for a checked bag and a carry on bag with our tickets. As we were packing, I started to vaguely recollect that Allegiant Air had recently implemented a 40lb baggage rule. You could go over but then you were subject to the "at-airport" fees that are upward of $50 regardless of being overweight one pound or twenty. This now "big" bag that was stuffed full, needed to be reduced to 40lbs or under. Once we culled it down to what appeared on the scale to be under 40, the clothing items remaining shifted willy-nilly in the bag--there was room for so much more!! Maddie's carry-on would not be weighed but then again, only so much would fit in it! I panicked! What were we going to do?! Jake hates to fly, and this kind of stuff drives him nuts!
In comes the Sunday morning Costco run to purchase yet another carry-on sized bag for my stuff while Jake's clothes swam comfortably around in the large bag that could have easily held another person's wardrobe but for the weight limit. Bag purchased, we switch everything out before leaving and proceed to the airport and subsequently to the counter to check the bags.
The line was out the door and at least 40 people deep. Jake comments on how glad he is that our bags are squared away so that we don't have to deal with the nonsense that others in front of us are going through. Our turn arrives and the first bag goes on the scale...the "big" bag--OH $H*+!--this bag is STILL 3 lbs. overweight. The second checked carry-on goes on the scale and its only 35 lbs. but stuffed so fat that the zipper is screaming for mercy. The gal behind the counter offers the suggestion to switch items from "big" bag to a smaller bag...great idea but no room in the smaller bag. Jake is now breathing loudly through his nose and color is creeping up his neck. We are THOSE people despite our efforts otherwise!! Bags are unzipped, clothes, toiletries removed...those items of course can't go in our carry-on where there is room, because they exceed the liquid ounce requirements! It's like doing Algebra homework for the first time, as we try to put together the right formula! Finally, the gal behind the counter "passes" our bags and puts them on the belt as we realize we have no identification on any of the bags! Now, Jake worries that our bags will be profiled due to our piss-poor attitude at the gate. I assure him that airport workers don't profile...the TSA assures us of that! We move on to the gate, wondering if our luggage will make it or split under the pressure. As for the big bag, we are certain that someone has plenty of room to climb inside and stow-away to Florida.
My questions are a) why can't airlines just charge per pound? It's obvious they don't care about how much you carry, regardless of what they say. No reason for someone who's three pounds over to be charged the same as someone 50 lbs. over as it appears is the current case. b) why can't your bags be an aggregate amount on direct flights? If you purchase and pay to have two bags checked, one could be 60 lbs. and the other 20 lbs...who cares what goes where if it really IS about safety? c) if weight is so important why aren't there "official" scales at strategic areas of the airport where you can weigh your bag without hundreds of eyes piercing your back as you hold up the checking-in process?
Safely landed and at home it's a little more humorous to reflect on the situation, but how unfortunate that it was the beginning memory of our summer vacation. If airlines want passengers to continue to fly and to travel, then common-sense requirements need to be established for everyone's benefit and safety. Maybe I'm just missing some of the tricks to traveling...I'm sure it's just a matter of time before people are going to be charged for how much they weigh...Thank goodness I started back at the gym last week, I've got a trip to Vegas in the near future! :)
Brooke
I made a trip to Costco for some very reasonable and sturdy Samsonite luggage that consisted of the new, plastic-like material that gives the luggage a hard shell, as opposed to the cloth that we had previously owned and recently threw away. I thought I had really made a wise investment with my purchase of one large piece and a smaller, carry-on bag, both complete with wheels that rolled in all directions!! Saturday night prior to our Sunday afternoon departure, we began packing. Jake and I had planned on sharing the "big" bag and Maddie would have the smaller carry-on bag. We had paid for a checked bag and a carry on bag with our tickets. As we were packing, I started to vaguely recollect that Allegiant Air had recently implemented a 40lb baggage rule. You could go over but then you were subject to the "at-airport" fees that are upward of $50 regardless of being overweight one pound or twenty. This now "big" bag that was stuffed full, needed to be reduced to 40lbs or under. Once we culled it down to what appeared on the scale to be under 40, the clothing items remaining shifted willy-nilly in the bag--there was room for so much more!! Maddie's carry-on would not be weighed but then again, only so much would fit in it! I panicked! What were we going to do?! Jake hates to fly, and this kind of stuff drives him nuts!
In comes the Sunday morning Costco run to purchase yet another carry-on sized bag for my stuff while Jake's clothes swam comfortably around in the large bag that could have easily held another person's wardrobe but for the weight limit. Bag purchased, we switch everything out before leaving and proceed to the airport and subsequently to the counter to check the bags.
The line was out the door and at least 40 people deep. Jake comments on how glad he is that our bags are squared away so that we don't have to deal with the nonsense that others in front of us are going through. Our turn arrives and the first bag goes on the scale...the "big" bag--OH $H*+!--this bag is STILL 3 lbs. overweight. The second checked carry-on goes on the scale and its only 35 lbs. but stuffed so fat that the zipper is screaming for mercy. The gal behind the counter offers the suggestion to switch items from "big" bag to a smaller bag...great idea but no room in the smaller bag. Jake is now breathing loudly through his nose and color is creeping up his neck. We are THOSE people despite our efforts otherwise!! Bags are unzipped, clothes, toiletries removed...those items of course can't go in our carry-on where there is room, because they exceed the liquid ounce requirements! It's like doing Algebra homework for the first time, as we try to put together the right formula! Finally, the gal behind the counter "passes" our bags and puts them on the belt as we realize we have no identification on any of the bags! Now, Jake worries that our bags will be profiled due to our piss-poor attitude at the gate. I assure him that airport workers don't profile...the TSA assures us of that! We move on to the gate, wondering if our luggage will make it or split under the pressure. As for the big bag, we are certain that someone has plenty of room to climb inside and stow-away to Florida.
My questions are a) why can't airlines just charge per pound? It's obvious they don't care about how much you carry, regardless of what they say. No reason for someone who's three pounds over to be charged the same as someone 50 lbs. over as it appears is the current case. b) why can't your bags be an aggregate amount on direct flights? If you purchase and pay to have two bags checked, one could be 60 lbs. and the other 20 lbs...who cares what goes where if it really IS about safety? c) if weight is so important why aren't there "official" scales at strategic areas of the airport where you can weigh your bag without hundreds of eyes piercing your back as you hold up the checking-in process?
Safely landed and at home it's a little more humorous to reflect on the situation, but how unfortunate that it was the beginning memory of our summer vacation. If airlines want passengers to continue to fly and to travel, then common-sense requirements need to be established for everyone's benefit and safety. Maybe I'm just missing some of the tricks to traveling...I'm sure it's just a matter of time before people are going to be charged for how much they weigh...Thank goodness I started back at the gym last week, I've got a trip to Vegas in the near future! :)
Brooke
Monday, June 17, 2013
When the Going Gets Tough...Hire an Expert!! Great Article...
Want to
Sell? Hire a Realtor
Home sellers are more than twice as likely to get their homes sold if they use a Realtor®, rather than trying to sell their home on their own, according to a new survey conducted by HomeGain of 400 home owners nationwide from July 31 to Aug. 10. Seventy-three percent of the home owners surveyed said they used a Realtor®.
Home sellers are more than twice as likely to get their homes sold if they use a Realtor®, rather than trying to sell their home on their own, according to a new survey conducted by HomeGain of 400 home owners nationwide from July 31 to Aug. 10. Seventy-three percent of the home owners surveyed said they used a Realtor®.
On the other hand, 21
percent of those surveyed said they tried to sell their home
themselves. The survey found that 66 percent of the home owners who used a
Realtor® were able to successfully sell their home compared to 30 percent of
for-sale-by-owners.
What’s more, the
survey found that 22 percent of the for-sale-by-owners eventually decided to
use a Realtor® to try to sell their home. More than half of those who did were
then able to sell their homes too, the survey found.
“The value of a
Realtor® in a real estate transaction is made strikingly apparent in our 2012
FSBO verses Realtor ® survey of home sellers,” says Louis Cammarosano, general
manager of HomeGain. “A qualified Realtor ® understands the dynamics of the
market and can better assist home sellers in the pricing and preparation of
their homes for sale.”
Source: HomeGain
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Not Created Equal...
Not all licensed real estate agents are created equal. And for good reason. Not all sellers and buyers are created equal nor do they have the same needs and expectations. I am saying this because over the past few weeks, as I have attended listing appointments, sellers in particular have been surprised that not all agents do the same things or have the same designations.
First, not all licensed agents are Realtors. Realtors are members of a trade association that take real estate ethics to the next level. All agents should abide by real estate law, but the Realtor association lays down an additional layer of ethics through their code of ethics and their adherence to the Golden Rule. In my humble opinion, using a Realtor, asking if your agent is one, and knowing the difference, is pretty important.
Not all companies use a showing service to set appointments. Make sure yours does. Nothing is more frustrating to a buyer and a buyers' agent than wanting to see your home and not being able to reach the listing agent or anyone at their firm. Hire an agent whose company subscribes to a showings service that is open 7 days a week and 364 days of the year. Lost showings are lost offers. Period.
Not all agents in the same firm use the same marketing tools. Ask when interviewing what your agent is going to do for you, that other agents both in their firm and outside their firm are not going to do. You want to choose an agent who invests in their brand and business. Agents who have "skin in the game" treat their business like a business and have incentive to sell your home.
Agents do NOT get paid a salary. We make money only when we sell a home. For the most part we are all self-employed, independent contractors who run a small business under the umbrella of a larger firm. Usually we pay the firm to work under that umbrella.
Not all agents are FULL-TIME. Your should be. You need someone who works on a daily basis and understands the full-time nature and access to availability that the real estate industry demands. Ask during your interview how much they are in the office and how many hours, on average, they work a week. If they stumble on that question, then they probably don't have a business-plan for their own business and might be challenged when it comes to a marketing plan for your home.
Not all commissions are the same. There is NO STANDARD fee. It's all negotiable. However, make sure you know what you are paying for because usually you get what you pay for. If your agent has a difficult time protecting their fee and income, how do you think they are going to fare on your behalf when an offer comes in and they are negotiating YOUR equity?
If you have specific questions on interviewing the right agent for you or if you would like to set up an interview please give us a call 336-817-3598 or shoot me an email. brooke.cashion@allentate.com
Brooke
First, not all licensed agents are Realtors. Realtors are members of a trade association that take real estate ethics to the next level. All agents should abide by real estate law, but the Realtor association lays down an additional layer of ethics through their code of ethics and their adherence to the Golden Rule. In my humble opinion, using a Realtor, asking if your agent is one, and knowing the difference, is pretty important.
Not all companies use a showing service to set appointments. Make sure yours does. Nothing is more frustrating to a buyer and a buyers' agent than wanting to see your home and not being able to reach the listing agent or anyone at their firm. Hire an agent whose company subscribes to a showings service that is open 7 days a week and 364 days of the year. Lost showings are lost offers. Period.
Not all agents in the same firm use the same marketing tools. Ask when interviewing what your agent is going to do for you, that other agents both in their firm and outside their firm are not going to do. You want to choose an agent who invests in their brand and business. Agents who have "skin in the game" treat their business like a business and have incentive to sell your home.
Agents do NOT get paid a salary. We make money only when we sell a home. For the most part we are all self-employed, independent contractors who run a small business under the umbrella of a larger firm. Usually we pay the firm to work under that umbrella.
Not all agents are FULL-TIME. Your should be. You need someone who works on a daily basis and understands the full-time nature and access to availability that the real estate industry demands. Ask during your interview how much they are in the office and how many hours, on average, they work a week. If they stumble on that question, then they probably don't have a business-plan for their own business and might be challenged when it comes to a marketing plan for your home.
Not all commissions are the same. There is NO STANDARD fee. It's all negotiable. However, make sure you know what you are paying for because usually you get what you pay for. If your agent has a difficult time protecting their fee and income, how do you think they are going to fare on your behalf when an offer comes in and they are negotiating YOUR equity?
If you have specific questions on interviewing the right agent for you or if you would like to set up an interview please give us a call 336-817-3598 or shoot me an email. brooke.cashion@allentate.com
Brooke
Hit the Road Jack...
If you're planning to hit the road this summer for a quick getaway or a lengthy family sabbatical, there are a few things you might want to plan on in order to care for your home while you're away. Though this list is certainly not 100% comprehensive, it does serve as a nice checklist for the highlights.
-Pets...make sure you arrange boarding ahead of time. Kennels are booked early and there's nothing like stressing over whether or not your pet is going to be well-loved while you're out of town. Shots and records need to be current and printed prior to arrival in the event your pet has not boarded a particular kennel. If pets are staying home or staying with family/friends, make sure you leave specific instructions on care along with ample food and treats. It's usually a good idea to have a visitation or two prior to your trip to introduce both parties.
-Mail...Have a trusted neighbor, friend or family to check your mail every other day or request your local post office to hold your mail until you return. This is a free service not often used.
-Plants...You've worked too hard this Spring on your flowers to let them burn in the hot Summer sun. Pay a neighborhood kid or find a service that waters and/or weeds flower beds and gardens.
-Thermostat...Set your thermostat at a higher temperature to prevent unnecessary running while you aren't there. However, avoid the temptation to turn completely off as it will take longer and require the system to run harder when you return to get things back to a normal comfort level.
-Refrigerator...It's a great time to throw items away that might expire while you're away. Nothing worse than coming home to molded, smelly food in the fridge.
-Laundry...Have the majority of your laundry completed prior to leaving because when you come home, you know there will be LOTS to do. No need to double the burden. If you don't have the time look into laundromats where you can drop off laundry for wash n' fold that's paid for by the pound.
-Yard...If you are going to be away for longer than a week, find a yard maintenance person who can trim the grass. Nothing says, "I'm not home" like an unkempt yard. No reason to invite thieves into your home.
-Drive By...Some local police departments will actually drive-by your home while you are away while on their regular beat. Ask your local police department if this is a service they offer.
-Security System...If you have a security system TURN IT ON!! If you don't, give me a call and I can put you in touch with some companies that monitor and install very reasonably. The added comfort of knowing your home is monitored while you're away is worth every penny. Some even offer video activation so that you can check in on pets and the house. Not to mention, most insurance companies usually give you a discount if you have a system.
Happy Trails to You!!
Brooke
-Pets...make sure you arrange boarding ahead of time. Kennels are booked early and there's nothing like stressing over whether or not your pet is going to be well-loved while you're out of town. Shots and records need to be current and printed prior to arrival in the event your pet has not boarded a particular kennel. If pets are staying home or staying with family/friends, make sure you leave specific instructions on care along with ample food and treats. It's usually a good idea to have a visitation or two prior to your trip to introduce both parties.
-Mail...Have a trusted neighbor, friend or family to check your mail every other day or request your local post office to hold your mail until you return. This is a free service not often used.
-Plants...You've worked too hard this Spring on your flowers to let them burn in the hot Summer sun. Pay a neighborhood kid or find a service that waters and/or weeds flower beds and gardens.
-Thermostat...Set your thermostat at a higher temperature to prevent unnecessary running while you aren't there. However, avoid the temptation to turn completely off as it will take longer and require the system to run harder when you return to get things back to a normal comfort level.
-Refrigerator...It's a great time to throw items away that might expire while you're away. Nothing worse than coming home to molded, smelly food in the fridge.
-Laundry...Have the majority of your laundry completed prior to leaving because when you come home, you know there will be LOTS to do. No need to double the burden. If you don't have the time look into laundromats where you can drop off laundry for wash n' fold that's paid for by the pound.
-Yard...If you are going to be away for longer than a week, find a yard maintenance person who can trim the grass. Nothing says, "I'm not home" like an unkempt yard. No reason to invite thieves into your home.
-Drive By...Some local police departments will actually drive-by your home while you are away while on their regular beat. Ask your local police department if this is a service they offer.
-Security System...If you have a security system TURN IT ON!! If you don't, give me a call and I can put you in touch with some companies that monitor and install very reasonably. The added comfort of knowing your home is monitored while you're away is worth every penny. Some even offer video activation so that you can check in on pets and the house. Not to mention, most insurance companies usually give you a discount if you have a system.
Happy Trails to You!!
Brooke
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Inventory Low...Is It Time to Go?
Most recently, I have been out with several buyers who are unable to find housing that meets their needs. Rewind to 18+ months ago and we had inventory, both good and bad, coming out of our ears. Currently, we are running around an 8-10 month supply, (a healthy market is considered 6 months) which still may seem high to those of you reading this. The kicker is that the inventory currently on the market is stale. Meaning most of what is out there either needs work to bring the home up to snuff or the price needs to be significantly reduced to meet the buyers' demands and expectations.
We have not only been experiencing multiple offers on properties that are properly priced and in excellent condition but we are seeing favorable offers within days of homes coming on the market. This is not the result of "under pricing" as some may think, but simply the fact that buyers have a specific location or neighborhood in mind and when a home comes on the market that meets their needs, they jump.
Moral of the story. If you are thinking of selling and your home is in great condition and your are realistic in pricing, based on recent sales and current competition, please consider putting your home on the market. If you are not willing to "shine that penny" and price appropriately, then it might be that you wait several more years so that the market meets your condition.
If you have been considering a move, couple the above with the fact that rates are still hovering under 4% on conventional products and closer to 3.5% for government-backed products and you can be where you want to be and take advantage of current market conditions and rates, which over time may negate the expense of preparing your home adequately for the market.
If you are considering a move within 2013 and want to talk about your options and current market conditions in your area, feel free to give me a call/text or email me. As always, there's no obligation or charge to chat! I look forward to hearing from you and remember I always appreciate the referrals of your friends and family!!
Brooke
We have not only been experiencing multiple offers on properties that are properly priced and in excellent condition but we are seeing favorable offers within days of homes coming on the market. This is not the result of "under pricing" as some may think, but simply the fact that buyers have a specific location or neighborhood in mind and when a home comes on the market that meets their needs, they jump.
Moral of the story. If you are thinking of selling and your home is in great condition and your are realistic in pricing, based on recent sales and current competition, please consider putting your home on the market. If you are not willing to "shine that penny" and price appropriately, then it might be that you wait several more years so that the market meets your condition.
If you have been considering a move, couple the above with the fact that rates are still hovering under 4% on conventional products and closer to 3.5% for government-backed products and you can be where you want to be and take advantage of current market conditions and rates, which over time may negate the expense of preparing your home adequately for the market.
If you are considering a move within 2013 and want to talk about your options and current market conditions in your area, feel free to give me a call/text or email me. As always, there's no obligation or charge to chat! I look forward to hearing from you and remember I always appreciate the referrals of your friends and family!!
Brooke
Don't Let Your Lack of Attendance Be Your Folly...
Every year, first weekend of May, the residents and civic organizations rally around the chamber to participate in Spring Folly, which takes place in downtown Kernersville. This annual event is a fundraiser for the civic organizations who champion their culinary specialties-everything from BBQ, to chicken wings to homemade lemonade. The biggest challenge is usually what to choose to dine on. Luckily, the event begins on Friday, May 3rd and continues throughout Saturday evening with limited events taking place Sunday afternoon. That leaves plenty of time to sample a little bit of everything! Live music on multiple stages suites the ears of all ages and genres and the craft vendors cover the gamut. You can usually find everything from crocheted toilet paper holders to caricatures and it's the perfect time to knock out some Christmas shopping!
Folly has flourished over the past decades heralding it success to the tireless efforts of chamber volunteers, the civic groups and the simple "showing up" of the residents of Kernersville and the entire state. Hovering around 25,000 for the weekend, this is THE premier event in Kernersville to catch up with everyone you haven't seen in a while. You can shake the hand of the mayor or talk to your kids' Sunday school teacher. Rest assured, they'll be there. You'll have plenty of time to chat while waiting for the kids to finish riding their favorite amusement rides. Usually, there's a petting zoo, craft station that focuses' on recycled material and of course, the Folly is open for tours.
If you have never visited Korner's Folly, this is a great time to do so. Having recently experienced renovations, Korner's Folly is a the crown jewel of the historic district. Boasting over seven levels, the first private little theatre in the world, frescoes and amazing and intricate furniture desiged by Jules Korner himself, you don't want to miss laying your eyes on this unique home!
So look at your calendar and make plans to attend Spring Folly next week and of course, make sure you find me and say HEY!! I'll be the one waiting for Maddie to ride the ferris wheel standing beside of the guy with the turkey leg in his hand!
Brooke
Folly has flourished over the past decades heralding it success to the tireless efforts of chamber volunteers, the civic groups and the simple "showing up" of the residents of Kernersville and the entire state. Hovering around 25,000 for the weekend, this is THE premier event in Kernersville to catch up with everyone you haven't seen in a while. You can shake the hand of the mayor or talk to your kids' Sunday school teacher. Rest assured, they'll be there. You'll have plenty of time to chat while waiting for the kids to finish riding their favorite amusement rides. Usually, there's a petting zoo, craft station that focuses' on recycled material and of course, the Folly is open for tours.
If you have never visited Korner's Folly, this is a great time to do so. Having recently experienced renovations, Korner's Folly is a the crown jewel of the historic district. Boasting over seven levels, the first private little theatre in the world, frescoes and amazing and intricate furniture desiged by Jules Korner himself, you don't want to miss laying your eyes on this unique home!
So look at your calendar and make plans to attend Spring Folly next week and of course, make sure you find me and say HEY!! I'll be the one waiting for Maddie to ride the ferris wheel standing beside of the guy with the turkey leg in his hand!
Brooke
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Spring Photos by Maddie...
So Maddie, my 12 year old, got an iPhone for Christmas and as much as I don't care for the games, texting and Instagram, I do LOVE the new hobby and talent she has discovered! I think she has a knack and eye for photography so I wanted to share a small sample of the photos she took over the weekend while spending time with her cousins...I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!
Let the Sky Fall...
I'm guessing that's what quite a few folks were thinking when they received their tax re-evaluations. For the most part, tax values across Forsyth county plummeted as a result of the mandatory county re-evaluation. The county cited foreclosures and the overall declining market as the driving force behind these new tax values.
Note, I keep saying TAX values. These are not the market values of homes. The market value is a simple equation. It is the value that a buyer is willing to give and a seller is willing to take in the present market. That takes into account inventory, condition, location and terms. Tax values on the other hand are based on formulas and algorithms and tax assessors typically have never entered the property being assessed to view condition or true space. Tax values are placed on the home for the sole purpose of collecting taxes on the real property.
Certainly you can challenge these values, but first you must assess WHY you want to challenge the value. Is it because you WANT to pay more taxes? Is it because you don't fully understand market value vs. tax value? Was their a mistake on the tax record that you feel compelled to correct? Understanding why you challenge is the first step in figuring out IF you challenge.
If you would like to discuss your specific situation or have further questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll do my best to advise a course of action that is best suited to your specific situation.
Just think, another type of TAX deadline is just around the corner...Until then...
Brooke
Note, I keep saying TAX values. These are not the market values of homes. The market value is a simple equation. It is the value that a buyer is willing to give and a seller is willing to take in the present market. That takes into account inventory, condition, location and terms. Tax values on the other hand are based on formulas and algorithms and tax assessors typically have never entered the property being assessed to view condition or true space. Tax values are placed on the home for the sole purpose of collecting taxes on the real property.
Certainly you can challenge these values, but first you must assess WHY you want to challenge the value. Is it because you WANT to pay more taxes? Is it because you don't fully understand market value vs. tax value? Was their a mistake on the tax record that you feel compelled to correct? Understanding why you challenge is the first step in figuring out IF you challenge.
If you would like to discuss your specific situation or have further questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll do my best to advise a course of action that is best suited to your specific situation.
Just think, another type of TAX deadline is just around the corner...Until then...
Brooke
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