buyers agent: Is the house you want to buy in a flood zone?
- 11/12/21 08:04 AM
The FEMA Flood MapAccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, flooding happens in every U.S. state and territory and is a threat anywhere in the world wherever it rains.
You've likely seen terrifying videos of flash flooding or flooding that covers city streets and roadways. With more severe weather, there will be more flash floods and flood warnings.
The risk of flooding should not be ignored when you are buying a home. You may think the only areas prone to flooding are close to large bodies of water but this is not the case.
The surest way to know if an … (2 comments)
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buyers agent: Buying a Home in a Competitive Market? Listen Up Home Buyers!
- 04/06/21 12:06 PM
Members of NAEBA, the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, advocate for homebuyers in every real estate transaction. These professionals share how they protect buyers’ best interests as they purchase a home. We're sharing advice & tips on how to buy a home in a competitive spring market!
Meet exclusive buyer agents Charlotte Lemon with The Real Buyer's Agent in Charleston SC, Rona Fischman broker-owner of 4 Buyers Real Estate in Cambridge MA, and Nikolina Lecic broker-owner of Exclusive Buyers Real Estate in Rochester Minnesota! We're sharing advice & tips on how to buy a home in a competitive spring market!
… (2 comments)
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buyers agent: Buying a Home in Maryland? Let's talk
- 10/15/20 01:04 PM
Should you put your house buying plans on hold?
"Is it still crazy competive for buyers right now?" and "Is it possible to get a deal on a house for sale?" are common questions from home buyers these days. My answer to both questions is, Yes!
According to new September 2020 data from the Maryland Association of Realtors, in 2020 the active inventory meaning the houses for sale through the Multiple Listing Service is 10,117. In 2019 there were 25, 146 homes for sale.
In addition, the average days a house stays on the market for sale in Maryland in 2020 is 8 days. … (3 comments)
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buyers agent: The Work Life Balance
- 09/10/19 06:32 PM
Balancing Work & Life Is A Challenge
In the business of real estate, it's a challenge to carve out time for yourself. Just today, I checked my schedule and then rechecked the calendar to be sure I could spend the hour and a half it takes to get a manicure and pedicure. When I settled into the chair and relaxed, it was great!
It had been too long since I gave myself some time to recharge and I'm reminded that I should practice what I preach!
Practice deep breathing, the belly breathing that requires deep exhalations and big inhalations. Consider breathing in for … (5 comments)
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buyers agent: How Not To Be A Bitter Buyer
- 04/09/19 12:06 PM
The escalation clause is used by home buyers who are competing with other buyers in a multiple offer situation.
Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash
In the Greater Washington DC area, buyers are competing for houses on the market near a Metro station, shops, and restaurants. In Arlington Virginia, where the Amazon headquarters will soon be located, the competition is tough. Last week, we submitted a contract on a one bedroom condo in Arlington and ours was one of twelve offers! We included an escalation clause which looks something like this;
Sales Price $350,000 with an escalation factor of $1000 and a cap at $365,000
This means the … (3 comments)
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buyers agent: Why Consider an HOA? Wordless Wednesday
- 04/03/19 04:14 AM
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buyers agent: Homes in Virginia's Shenandoah-Wordless Wednesday
- 12/05/18 05:24 AM
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buyers agent: Should You Consider a Post Occupancy Agreement
- 09/24/18 11:56 AM
A post-occupancy agreement happens when a buyer & seller agree to allow the sellers to stay in the property after settlement.
Photo by Roberto Nickson (@g) on Unsplash
When it goes well, the seller leaves the property on or before the agreed upon date. The buyer completes the final inspection with their buyer's agent and finds no problems. At that point, buyer & seller agree to release the security deposit funds (security deposit from the seller held in escrow by the settlement attorney) and everyone is happy!
But the post-occupancy agreement can get complicated and messy especially when the buyer and/or seller don't understand how it works. So here … (10 comments)
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buyers agent: 5 Things to Know When Buying a Home from an Owner
- 09/19/18 08:14 AM
We recently worked with a buyer who purchased a house for sale by owner. The owner was actually a flipper who had hired a listing brokerage to put the property into the Multiple Listing Service. The owner was the point of contact and handled all the negotiations.
Top 5 things to know to protect your best interest when buying a FSBO
THE SELLER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SHE DOESN'T KNOW - Every jurisdiction has addendums and requirements which become part of the contract. Several of these addendums are provided by the seller. For example, in Montgomery County Maryland, it's mandatory for the seller … (2 comments)
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buyers agent: The Best Time for a House Tour
- 05/28/18 08:45 AM
Photo by Igor Tudoran on Unsplash
It's been raining for days and days in the Washington D.C. area. According to the National Weather Service, this massive amount of rainfall broke records set back in 1905. So what does this mean for people who want to buy a home in Maryland, Virginia or Washington D.C.?
Get Your Umbrella & Raincoat and Tour!
This is the very best time to see houses especially the basements. Here are a few key things to look for on a rainy house tour.
Water intrusion can cause serious issues in a house. I recommend starting a house tour in the basement. First, what does … (2 comments)
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buyers agent: Capitol Hill Rowhouses - Wordless Wednesday
- 04/11/18 12:19 PM
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buyers agent: #1 Way Real Estate Agents Get Sued
- 04/02/18 08:40 AM
Real Estate Agents are required to take continuing education classes to keep their licenses active.
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash
At the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors otherwise known as GCAAR, we have an ethics instructor who is a lawyer. He's acted as general legal counsel for the Maryland Association of Realtors since 1984.
The stories he shares come from real life experiences and they are scary!
The #1 way real estate agents get into trouble is failing to disclose material facts. If the seller chooses to disclaim instead of disclose, they still need to disclose a latent defect. (that's a fault with the property that couldn't … (7 comments)
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buyers agent: Unbelievably Bad Real Estate Photo
- 03/07/18 10:27 AM
This is what not trying at all looks like...
Every morning, I go through new homes for sale on the Multiple Listing Service. I'm not surprised to see dark or fuzzy photos, but this morning I saw a picture of a front door-
SIDEWAYS!!!
Seriously?! Couldn't take the time to click rotate on the picture?!
Don't worry, these aren't the pictures from the MLS-it's my door.
If you are listing a property for sale, pay a professional photographer or at least take the time to edit the pictures. The seller has put their trust in you and expects you to properly represent their home.
Here's what I am looking … (9 comments)
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buyers agent: Make Your Own Videos and Voice Overs
- 02/21/18 07:28 PM
Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash
It's easy to make your own videos & voice overs
Advertising and marketing your business? Consider creating videos and voice-overs.
Use your cell phone, iPad or camera to create effective marketing videos!
What You Need To Make a Video
A cell phone and/or iPad with a decent quality microphone The iMovie app is a quick and easy app to use for video production. Garage Band or Audacity for recording at home. A microphone with a desktop stand - I bought a Heil microphone and actually received a thank you from Bob Heil the creator of the Heil microphone. Pretty cool! Consider writing out a short … (9 comments)
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buyers agent: Best Holiday Happenings in Washington D.C.
- 12/04/17 11:09 AM
There are so many fun things to do in the Greater Washington D.C. area during the holiday season.
Here's a list of my personal favorites.
ZooLights at the National Zoo - Thousands of Washingtonians take advantage of the free event featuring lights, a winter wonderland theme, and live music. The reptile house is an active place at night and I highly recommend going to see the snakes and other creatures when they're awake and on the move! The gift shop is open and you can buy food and drinks at the concession stands. The military night is December 19th and all military personnel receives … (3 comments)
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buyers agent: Negotiation Strategies That Work
- 11/13/17 08:45 AM
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Are you beginning the home buying process?
What Can An Experienced Buyer Agent Do for You?
You're about the make the most expensive purchase of your life. You should have an experienced advocate on your side. Your buyer agent should know how & when to use the tools in their negotiation toolbox. Ideally, your agent will be experienced and have a clear understanding of market conditions. But in order to "win" in a negotiation, your buyer agent needs you! In fact, the home buyer is the driving force in every contract negotiation.
Here are a few strategies to know before you write a contract
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buyers agent: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad
- 07/31/17 05:27 AM
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park
is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Washington D.C.
To get there, drive east on Route 50 toward Annapolis, over the Bay Bridge and take a right on Route 16 in Cambridge Maryland. The address 4068 Golden Hill Road Church Creek Maryland. Harriet Tubman was born a slave in 1822. She was one of nine children and at the age of six, she was rented out to another master to care for children and catch muskrats in the marshlands along the Blackwater River.
Harriet Tubman was born a slave in 1822. She was one of nine children … (9 comments)
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buyers agent: Washington D.C. 4th of July Events
- 07/03/17 09:45 AM
If ever there is a time Washington D.C. shines, it's the 4th of July!
JULY 3RD: The Washington Nationals are playing the New York Mets at 6:05 p.m. There will be a fireworks display after tonight's game.
JULY 4TH: The 4th of July-Independence Day Parade begins 11:45 am - 2 p.m. along Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 17th Street N.W.
United States Navy Band plays at the Sylvan Theatre, Washington Monument Grounds at 6 p.m. A Capitol Fourth Concert 8:00 to 9:30 pm on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year, The Four Tops, The Beach Boys, country singer Trace Adkin's and John … (0 comments)
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buyers agent: The Nightmare Neighbor
- 06/20/17 10:16 AM
Single family home, condo, co-op, townhouse....
the nightmare neighbor can lurk in any living situation.
So much of the home buying process focuses solely on the house. Obviously, the house is important but it's equally important to check out your neighbors. Specifically, the neighbors who live next door or behind your home. The close proximity, sharing a fence or property line, means you will interact with these neighbors. When you find the house you want to buy, evaluate your neighbors home and yard.
Is the house well maintained? Mowed lawns and well-maintained gardens are a good sign. Are all their cars in working order? It's … (2 comments)
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buyers agent: Drone Roof Inspection
- 06/08/17 05:40 AM
Inspect a Roof with Drone Technology
An excellent home inspector can save you thousands or dollars. By identifying problems with a home during the inspection, the home buyer can decide to move ahead or walk away from buying a home. Trained and experienced home inspectors can identify problems in a house using a variety of methods. Good inspectors are good detectives and identify problems with a visual inspection. But sometimes, it's difficult or even impossible to gain access to a roof.
Trained and experienced home inspectors can identify problems in a house using a variety of methods including drone technology. Good inspectors are … (6 comments)
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The FEMA Flood MapAccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, flooding happens in every U.S. state and territory and is a threat anywhere in the world wherever it rains. 
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