buyer: An Exclusive Buyer's Agent is the Only Way to Go - 05/01/09 06:09 PM
I recently transferred to Salt Lake City from California. Having owned a few homes, and also having dealt with various agents in the past, I did not relish the stress and hassles involved in the home buying process. I investigated my options, and wanted an agent that would be a good … (3 comments)
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buyer: An Equal Level of Representation for Home Buyers - 03/16/09 11:14 PM
Great Article in the New York Times Friday, featuring a good friend and colleague of mine, Ira Freireich of Long Island, NY.
The article points out how many homebuyers are becoming more savvy and aware of how they can get the best level of representation in the real estate transaction: Exclusive … (3 comments)
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buyer: "Impressed with Your Professionalism" - 02/27/09 01:26 PM
Ben,I wanted to take a moment and thank you for letting us help you with the purchase transaction for the Tanners. I was impressed with your professionalism and particularly the depth of your understanding of the closing process and the HUD-1 settlement statement. Your attention to detail is obviously a huge … (5 comments)
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buyer: Key Details of the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for Salt Lake City, Utah Area Homebuyers - 02/19/09 01:18 PM
Key Details of the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for Utah Homebuyers
Buy a home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
Get $8,000 Federal Tax Credit when you file your 2009 Tax Return (or sooner, see below).
This does not have to be repaid. (UNLESS: You sell the home within … (9 comments)
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buyer: Exclusive Buyer Representation - The Homebuyer's Best (But Little-Known) Option - 11/21/08 12:06 AM
Well, I just ran across a press release from the National Association of REALTORS either from May of 2008, or revised in May of 2008.
It says in the header that the article will discuss agency and representation options the consumer can choose from:
"a variety of business relationships with real … (2 comments)
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buyer: Home Warranty Companies Affected by Slowdown: Adjusting Prices/Coverage - 10/17/08 12:01 AM
It seems that the slowdown in the real estate market has Home Warranty companies that service the Salt Lake City real estate market adjusting their premiums and coverages to keep profits up.
Over the past 45 days prices have gone up by about 18% and deductibles (service fees) are up about … (2 comments)
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buyer: Salt Lake Area Home Buyers Should Seek Professional Representation and Certified Negotiation Expert when Buying a Home - 10/13/08 03:01 PM
The NAR 2006 Profile of Home Buyers showed that:
98% of Buyers believe negotiation skills are "Very Important" or "Somewhat Important" in their real estate agent.
and that:
Buyers give "Negotiation Skills" the lowest satisfaction rating of all agent skills and qualities.
Fewer than 3% of all real estate agents have … (2 comments)
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buyer: Buying "Small" in Salt Lake - 10/03/08 03:53 PM
With all the plusses that come with more square footage, the smart buyer will look at the additional costs.
Whether you are buying a home as an investment, or planning on living there a long time, there are many reasons some Buyers choose to buy "small" rather than buying "large" homes. … (3 comments)
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buyer: Are Downpayment Assistance Programs Bad? - 10/03/08 02:49 PM
So were (are?) Downpayment Assistance Programs bad?
I don't think DAPs are bad in and of themselves.
But coupled with additional items from the lender's bags-of-tricks, they likely contributed to a number of defaulted mortgages, including some that will continue to default as adjustment dates and balloons come due.
(Click Here … (0 comments)
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buyer: Downpayment Assistance Programs (DAPs) or, The "Money-Go-Round" - 10/03/08 02:37 PM
Downpayment Assistance Programs are being allowed less and less. One "stated" reason is that they likely helped contribute to the breakdown of the real estate market.
Here's how a downpayment assistance program (DAP) usually worked:
The Seller would give 3% plus some "administration fee"...
(sometimes 1% of the Purchase Price)
… (0 comments)
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buyer: The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - How First Time Home Buyers can get a $7,500 Refundable Tax Credit - 07/30/08 06:44 PM
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was signed today and that could mean you or someone you know may qualify for up to a $7,500 Refundable Tax Credit.
A simple overview of how it works
You are eligible if:
You are a first time home buyer (meaning neither you … (0 comments)
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buyer: Relocating Home Buyers Seek Out Exclusive Buyer's Agents for Representation - 05/29/08 02:59 PM
Because of my work, I was required to relocate to Utah. As with my previous home search effort in Illinois, I decided to use an exclusive buyer agent rather than a traditional realtor. A traditional realtor normally cannot fully represent buyers since they are legally bound to work for the sellers. … (8 comments)
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buyer: Will Machines Replace Real Estate Agents? - 05/20/08 10:21 PM
A New World
Some websites promote their equivalence to or superiority over the flesh and blood real estate agent. While mathematical computations can be completed much faster by microchips and microprocessors, they lack the same thing Dorothy's beloved Scarecrow lacked: a brain.
Today's Lenn Harley post on Zillow caused me to … (123 comments)
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buyer: Zillow's "Zestimate" - Astoundingly Accurate! - 05/16/08 03:31 PM
(Please reread the title with sarcasm. Good.)
Zillow can guestimate Market value within 20% of the actual sold price between 51 and 88% of the time! Yippee!
What this means is that Zillow can guestimate the market value of a $500,000 home within $100,000 more than 1/2 the time! (It's worth … (4 comments)
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buyer: Questions for Buyer's Agents - My Responses - 04/18/08 01:10 PM
I don't know the specific origin of these questions, but Buyers ask them all the time. A wise homebuyer will ask these types of questions to any agent they interview.
Here are my responses to Buyers when I am provided with these questions:
Do you spend 100% of your time representing … (2 comments)
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buyer: Ummel Case Juror Suggests "Buyers Agents Suck" - 04/17/08 01:57 PM
OK. Those weren't her words. Read this article from The Voice of San Diego (author, Kelly Bennett) and comment if you like.Here are a few quotes from the juror:
"After my seven days of realtor training (sitting in a court room), I may consider not using a realtor in my next purchase … (21 comments)
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buyer: The Utah Real Estate Purchase Contract: Walk-Through Inspection - 04/12/08 11:39 PM
What is the purpose of the Walk-Through inspection? What are the Buyer's Rights? What happens if the Buyer fails to conduct a walk-through inspection?
Here is section 11 of the Purchase Contract:
11. WALK−THROUGH INSPECTION. Before Settlement, Buyer may, upon reasonable notice and at a reasonable time, conduct a "walk−through" inspection of … (0 comments)
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buyer: Helping Clients Buy FSBO - Who Is My Client? (WIM-C) - 04/06/08 12:49 AM
I just read a great blog entry by Ki Gray (a Realtor(R) in Austin) about why he as a listing agent prefers to work with Buyer's who have a Buyer's Agent.
I have to say, that as an agent who works ONLY with Buyers, I, too, prefer to work with SELLERS who … (5 comments)
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buyer: Re-Listing Homes - Can You Handle the Truth? - 02/23/08 11:45 PM
The Practice of taking a home off the market and re-listing it to show 0 days on the market again is becoming more and more common. Debates are heating up on the subject from coast to coast.
Listing Agents argue they are doing their client a service. They also argue that … (18 comments)
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buyer: "Old"Listings - What's Wrong With This Home?" - 02/23/08 11:32 PM
Naturally, just like a Buyer, when I see homes on the market for 180, 240, 360 days or more, I also wonder "What is wrong with this home?"
Often, with a little digging, we can find out if the home was under a contract that failed or if there is some … (0 comments)
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