Hank Miller Team Real Estate Blog - November, 2020

Should You Sell Your Home By Owner?

Should you sell your home by owner? Should you sell your home without an agent? Valid questions, especially during times of limited inventory when buyers are pounding everything. The internet offers sites, videos, programs and testimonials on how to save thousands selling by owner. For sellers with buyers already lined up, save the money and hire a lawyer to close it. But that’s not everyone. By owners in the open market fail for two main reasons; an inability to remove personal bias from the equation and a lack of understanding about how complicated this process is. Consider just a few of the other major reasons:

The FSBO Stigma

Homes for sale by owner are not common, but there tend to be common threads. Some sellers have a vehement distaste…

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North Fulton & Cobb County Housing Market Flourished in 2020

Despite a crazy year, the greater North Fulton and Cobb County housing market flourished in 2020. Here we examine and compare the Cobb County markets of Acworth, Kennesaw, Marietta and Smyrna. Next we look at the North Fulton County markets of Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell and Sandy Springs. Three key indicators; median sale price, months of inventory and days on market. 

These charts summarize what buyers and sellers around the north Atlanta housing market experienced; rising price, few homes for sale and a lightening fast market. Scroll the charts for details... 

Acworth / Marietta / Kennesaw / Smyrna 

Each of these markets is enjoying robust appreciation

0-3 is a seller's market, 3-6 balanced, 6+ a buyer's market 

It's…

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How to Resolve Home Inspection Issues

Knowing how to resolve home inspection issues can save a deal. This is one of the most emotional parts of a transaction, understand how to navigate it is critical to success. No home, including a new build, will be perfect. Many defects can be spotted by an experienced agent, others need the eye of a skilled inspector. The trick is for both buyer and seller to be reasonable.

Home sellers are not required to complete a seller's disclosure, some homes are sold "as is". If a disclosure is available, buyers will review this along with inspectors as often this document notes issues or problems within the home. However, a seller should not place too much faith in these as there are things about the property the seller does not need to (and in some cases is…

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What Happens if the Appraisal Comes in Low?

In the midst of a real estate transaction, the last thing that anyone wants to consider is what happens if the appraisal comes in low. That discussion usually starts with a common expression involving excrement and then “now what happens”? The buyer’s loan amount is based upon the lower number between the contract price and appraised value. Experienced agents usually understand how to limit real estate appraisal issues, but it sometimes happens. The argument “the market dictates value” may be true, but appraisers write reports for underwriters and there are strict protocols that they must follow.

The “low appraisal” fuse is lit by the mortgage lender. Usually an email follows a call giving notice that the appraisal has been completed and is attached.…

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