Archive for the 'North Georgia Cabin Buyer’s reVIEWS' Category
Agency Relationships……Do You Understand Them?
March 23rd, 2008Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Cabin Seller's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS
It’s important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transaction. It is equally as important for you to know what agency relationship it is that you have with your salesperson or agent. If it has not been explained to you in a way that you fully understand, or you just simply do not know what type of agency relationship it is that you have, or if any, then you need to stop and ask before moving forward with your agent.
I suppose that every agent has their own way of working with customers.
I myself like to build a good rapport with my customers, and build a relationship in which I have instilled enough trust in both my knowledge and my abilities to perform the fiduciary duties that are expected of me.
Once I have built that relationship, I then explain the types of agency relationships and make sure that they fully understand all of them. At this point, I am comfortable enough to ask for the customer to now become my client. Once a customer agrees to become a client, the proper paper work is filled and signed, and an agency is then created between the principal (client) and the brokerage. Below are great explanations of the types of relationships you can expect to exist in a real estate transaction and the expectations of those agency relationships.
Seller’s Representative (Seller’s Agent)
A seller’s agent is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a listing contract. In the state of Georgia, ALL agents represent the Seller as either the Agent or Sub-Agent unless they have a Buyer’s Agency with a client.
We as Agents are still obligated to be Honest and Truthful to all parties involved in a transaction.
Agents do however act faithfully and efficiently to their clients. Agents must put the principals best interests above all others including the agent’s own; and agents must NOT reveal confidential information to anyone. Confidential information could be a divorce situation, financial constraints, and other information that is confidential to the client and would NOT be to be disclosed. We do however have a duty to disclose to the principal (client) ALL relevant and material information, Read the rest of this entry »
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I Don’t Believe It Has Any Square Feet?
March 17th, 2008Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Cabin Seller's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS
I will never forget that one beautiful summer like Thanksgiving day at Maw’s house. We had just sat down for the feast, and then there was a knock at the door. We weren’t too sure who it was, and after a few seconds passes by, my mom asks me to go see who it is. Well, we had forgotten all about the sign in the front of the house that read…For Sale By Owner. Can you believe that my Grandmother’s house was once a FSBO? Anyway, I remember the conversation between Maw and the potential home buyer going something like this…
Buyer: Hello mam, sorry to bother you on Thanksgiving day.
Maw: Oh, that’s okay.
Buyer: Can I ask you a few questions, I wouldn’t want to just barge in on you, it being Thanksgiving and all.
Maw: Sure…..that’ll be fine.
Buyer: How many bedrooms does your home have?
Maw: It’s got 4….yeah, it has 4 bedrooms….3 upstairs and 1 downstairs.
Buyer: How many bathrooms?
Maw: It’s got 2…..yeah there are 2 bathrooms in my home.
Buyer: Well….can you tell me how many square feet your home has?
Maw: Uhhhh……mmmmm…..sir….it doesn’t have any square feet!
I thought I was going to die laughing along with the potential buyer, Maw just because we were, and everyone else that was there on such a memorable Thanksgiving Day. Read the rest of this entry »
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Do You Have Gas? Or Do You Have To Pay For It?
March 7th, 2008Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS, Professional Associate reVIEWS
It has been a while since we have heard from one of my associates, Byron Wyndham. This is not at all his fault, I have to take most, if not all of the blame. He actually sent me the article for this post several weeks ago. Byron is a Real Estate attorney here in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Should you have any legal questions pertaining to North Georgia Real Estate, you should give the good folks at J. Byron Wyndham & Associates a call. Their number is 706.258.6222.
I’ve been trying to point out how buying property in the
Most homes in the
It is often used for the furnace, hot water heater, stove, clothes dryer, gas grill and the generator. You don’t often think about the propane because the gas company usually has you on a regular schedule and the tank is just filled. You may not be aware of the gas company having been at your house until you get the bill for the refill.
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TOP STORY : Where Are All of the Buyers?
March 4th, 2008Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS, Realtor reVIEWS
Keller Williams Realty International came out with a great article this week concerning Buyers, and why most are just not willing to pull the trigger on buying a home in today’s market.
I know that activity has made a positve move over the past several weeks. Emails are coming in and the phones are beginning to ring again. Boy….is it a good thing to hear those phones ringing again! This is great information that I wanted to get out to North Georgia Mountain Real Estate Buyer’s and Investors. Whether you are looking to buy in Blue Ridge, Blairsville or Ellijay, I hope that you find this information very useful.
It’s time to get potential home-owners to go ahead and buy in this so-called “buyer’s market”
While today’s market plays to their advantage, buyers, who should be swooping in to make the most of reduced housing costs and favorable interest rates, are sitting by, waiting.
It is up to you, as a competent and informed real estate agent, to mobilize your potential buyers to invest in home ownership now. When the market turns, today’s bargains will be yesterday’s missed opportunities.
While it is conceivable that home prices may drop further, it is likely that these decreased prices will be accompanied by increased financing costs due to rate cuts by the Fed. This means that any money saved on paying less for a house in a few months time will be offset by your client having to pay off their mortgage at a higher interest rate making “playing the waiting game” a waste of time (and very little fun). Read the rest of this entry »
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WARNING: Inspect The Water Before You Buy Your Mountain Cabin!
December 7th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS, Professional Associate reVIEWS
Here is some more great legal advice from J. Byron Wyndham and Associates at Law.
It’s really true that it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Although I have been handling real estate closings on the computer ever since the PC and the software have been around, there are still things in the computer world that I don’t understand. Blogs are one of them.
I certainly understand about writing a journal and even putting it on a web site. But how does anyone find it? There are millions of web sites and to have one web site “blog” and somehow people find it??
Wells and water are obviously very important and essential in a home in the mountains.
I should have noted that testing and inspection should also be part of the negotiation and contract process. If your well is in a community that has a community well, you may not need to have it inspected. I live in a neighborhood with 107 lots and 45 houses. We pay a community water fee and support the community with 8 wells. Obviously, a problem with the well will be handled by the Owners Association. However, if you are buying a lot that has it’s own well, or a lot that is sharing a well with only a small number of people, then the liability if the well fails is higher. You want to have a professional inspect the system prior to buying the property or speak with the professional who is servicing the well. Very few people actually maintain their wells themselves. There are many well companies in the mountains that drill and maintain wells. Any well will have someone maintaining it that you should be able to speak with.
Testing the well is an issue that has rarely been addressed in many transactions in the mountains.
I am often amazed that very few people actually think of having the wells tested. My community tests the wells every quarter and we have also installed chlorinators to help keep the system clear of bacteria. But I have also spoken with many people who say that they have lived here their whole life and have never had their well tested. It seems to be a matter of personal preference. It is just one more item to consider and discuss with your real estate agent as you negotiate a contract. The condition of the well can be a made a contingency of the contract.
Thanks again for all your comments.
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What Everybody Ought To Know About Water In The Mountains
November 19th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS, Professional Associate reVIEWS
Legal Advice from J. Byron Wyndham and Associates
I am often asked about the difference between buying property and living only in the mountains, and owning mountain property but living in a metropolitan area. Aside from the fresh air, bubbling streams, and beautiful mountain views, there are some other differences that people in the mountains take for granted, which visitors or part-time owners may not notice.
We have recently been enduring a terrible drought in Georgia. Virtually the whole state is under a watering ban that includes watering for yards, for washing cars, and for other personal purposes.
However, the ban does not apply to most of the mountain area of north Georgia. Why??
Most visitors are unaware that residents of the mountain areas in Georgia obtain their water from wells. We rely on the water table to supply us with water. Even though there may not be a government-issued watering ban, in times of drought wells can also be affected.
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The Secrets of a Successful Mountain Cabin Rental!
November 5th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Cabin Rental reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS
It’s a foggy crisp fall morning in the North Georgia Mountains. 
You walk out on the dew dampened front porch wrapped in your wool blanket. As you bend down to sit in the porch rocker, you notice a faint silhouette of what appears to be a deer. Then, just as you get comfortable and begin sipping on your coffee, there they are….2 small fawn cautiously appearing from no where.
Now that is what I call “True freedom from anxiety!”
How would you like to experience a similar instance? Do you own a cabin in the mountains? If not, how can you possibly have the chance for the same experience? Well that’s simple, you rent one first, then when you are ready to buy, you call me. The Real Estate industry is one of the highest, if not the highest producer of revenue for most of the North Georgia Mountains. Not just the sale of cabins, but also the rental of them. I can’t even begin to tell you how many cabin rental companies there are in Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and the Ellijay Georgia area. The funny thing is, just last week I overheard two couples talking about how hard it was to find a cabin for the weekend! Folks just love coming to the mountains and experience the chance of a lifetime. The hope of getting a glimpse of a bear, the big catch, or just simply enjoying the sound of tranquility. Maybe you are looking for a great investment opportunity? That is a story for another day. Check back for how purchasing a Cabin in the North Georgia Mountains could be one of the best investments you might ever make in more ways than one.
So, what makes a rental cabin in the mountains a success?
Well, I have interviewed a couple of the top rated cabin rental businesses in the area. Lisa Skomp from Cozy Cove Cabin Rentals of Blairsville, GA. was kind enough to share her views of what makes folks want to keep coming back to the cabins in her program. I was also able to catch up with Dan Barton from First Class Cabin Rentals of Blue Ridge, GA. during one of his busy days of managing his family owned cabin rental business with wife Gayle. Both had great thoughts and views of what has been successful for them. While both had thoughts that were similar in a lot of ways, there was also a little difference in how they ranked the importance of them. Below you will find the secrets of a successful rental cabin. Read the rest of this entry »
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10 Reasons To Skin A Realtor While Buying!
October 16th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS, Realtor reVIEWS
In our current market conditions, Realtors more than ever have to be on their game. In my market, the North Georgia Mountains, there was a day not too long ago where a Realtor could pick and choose the customers they wanted to work with. Obviously the Buyer coming into the area looking for a 4 bedroom home on wheels would be overlooked for the one looking for a 2 bedroom cabin with a great mountain view. Boy…..have times changed! Now its more like the Buyer gets to pick and choose the Realtor. How do you know you have picked the right Realtor?
Below you will find 10 ways to make sure that the Realtor you choose to work with and help you find your next mountain home isn’t a few sandwiches short of a picnic and will provide excellent customer service. A Realtor should provide you with fiduciary service and not just functionary service and they should be a consultant and not just an agent. They are able to give good advice, educate and guide you. They should be involved in the decision process and use good judgment and experience. A good Realtor is irreplaceable, and a great Realtor is highly compensated…meaning we actually earn what we make! Read the rest of this entry »
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Personal Touches To Better Customer Service
October 13th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Cabin Seller's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS, Realtor reVIEWS
Have you ever had a client ask you this question…What ever happened to a good ol’ fashioned handshake?
Believe it or not, it wasn’t too awful long ago that was the case here in the North Georgia Mountains, folks really did business on a handshake. However in today’s world of high tech gone wild, I believe we are forgetting about the simple things that mean so much to our customers and clients! Things like dropping by on Saturday morning for a cup of coffee, or an afternoon visit to help out with the yard! I know this may seem a little ridiculous, but doesn’t it mean so much to them? We need to be bending over backwards to take care of our clients in more ways than just on the business side of life.
It’s all about being Good People!
I recently had the opportunity to help a client with a small problem on a piece of property we had just gone to contract on. He had mentioned that someone had come by the property and dropped a load of garbage off down the bank. Not looking for praise, but I showed up to help out with the clean up and the appreciation that was shown was unbelievable. Now I am not the brightest light bulb in the pack, but who do you think might be the first person he calls when he gets ready to buy or sell another piece of property, or better yet who might he tell in line at the grocery store or in the parking lot at church to call when they need the same? Read the rest of this entry »
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Warning! Better Make Hay While The Sun Is Still Shining!
October 9th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS
“Its a Buyer’s Market, so get out there and Buy
“
In a market where inventory is way up, and interest rates are going down…can you think of a better time to buy? Within the Region of the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, there are over 2500 Residential Listings with an average list price of $347,475 just within Fannin, Gilmer and Union Counties. In this same market, there are over 4800 Vacant Lots with an average list price of $114,662. That is a whole bunch of inventory! If you ever wanted to act upon that dream you have always had of owning a cabin in the North Georgia Mountains, well its time to hoe a row!
If you are not looking for a second home or vacation home, maybe you are looking into Real Estate Investments. Read the rest of this entry »
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