Important info for home buyers in the Greater Atlanta area

Moving out of a home can be an emotional experience. When a seller develops a fondness for certain things defined as real estate fixtures, things can get sticky. Maybe they love the special features like the glass kitchen cabinet doors, custom lighting fixtures, high tech thermostats or even a favorite miniature Japanese Maple tree. Traditionally, these items remain in the home for the next owner to appreciate. However, some sellers have a deeper attachment to certain items, going as far as removing them prior to closing.

Talk to agents and stories will flow; the seller who was determined to take his outdoor plants after selling. The seller that removed the rain shower heads from all of the bathrooms in the home. The seller that took the high-tech,…

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As the spring 2023 housing market around greater Atlanta picks up steam, in many areas it feels like deja vu all over again. The last two years were a ride for Atlanta area home buyers. Although low-interest rates were advantageous, a limited housing supply led to a grueling home buying experience. Atlanta area home sellers on the other hand, enjoyed historical sway and leverage. They could effectively name their price and state the conditions; buyers were willing to comply. Things changed fast, midway through ’22 rampant inflation and the Fed slammed on the brakes. Things quieted and the stage was set for the spring 2023 housing market in Atlanta.

Entering Q2 of 2023, there is no impending crash and many markets remain tight. While the larger market…

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As the spring market heats up, home buyers will examine all options. Many will consider new construction, often visiting the projects and sales reps or calling the information lines. Seemingly innocent inquiries which often result in them being unrepresented by a buyer’s agent if they move forward. Builders love unrepresented home buyers. Not using a buyer's agent when building a home is the single biggest mistake new home buyers make and it will result in problems over the build.

What is Procuring Cause

Every home buyer should work with an experienced buyer’s agent. The buyer agent fee is almost always paid by the seller, there is no reason to be unrepresented.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says procuring cause means the agent who…

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If it bleeds it leads, even if it's not accurate. Despite the constant caterwauling from the mass media about a housing crash, we are not seeing distress around the greater Atlanta market. That message however, is often taken at face value and some home buyers expect a bargain basement spring. Best advice as to what home buyers should expect in the spring of 2023...understand that it's not the spring of 2011.

Home buyers had a rough couple of years. While rates were certainly favorable, the lack of inventory resulted in a punishing home buying experience. FOMO, the "work from home" chatter and pandemic circus contributed to the beating; buying a home was not a pleasant experience. That's over; and while rates jumped, balance has returned as has the…

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As 2023 opens, the economic hangover due to the free spending and pandemic handouts continue. One of the craziest segments of fire a real estate agentthe last two years was real estate. Prices and inventory of course, but the massive influx of "hobby agents" over this period was a lesser covered negative result. The number of real estate agents soared to record highs, as did buyer remorse and complaints. It is likely that a frequent question in 2023 will be; can you fire a real estate agent in Georgia? YES, but the devil is in the details of the brokerage agreements.

Fire a Buyer’s Agent in GA

EVERYTHING hinges on the buyer brokerage agreement that was signed. These change annually, sometimes more frequently. Some agents add stipulations and conditions. Buyers MUST READ…

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The art of persuasion, it’s a beautiful thing. Books have been written about it, master classes offered and expressions like “he could sell ice to an Eskimo” coined. Home buyers and home sellers dabble in the “persuasion” arena during the purchase process as they roll through the deal. The typical real estate agent doesn't dabble, they will do whatever necessary to secure their commission. Someone certain to be on the radar of all is the appraiser; sometimes an ally, sometimes an enemy. More on Karen later...

Home Sellers & Appraisers

When an owner decides to list, their first move to solicit a real estate agent. Unfortunately, most sellers fail to properly vet an agent and many agents lack the ability/expertise/desire to speak candidly to…

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Fear sells. The speed at which surveillance devices became "the norm" after 9/11 is mind-boggling; from satellites to cell phones, cameras are rolling. Out shopping for a home, always assume that you are being recorded when you step onto that property. The idea that home surveillance devices are now essential is marketing gold, not to be fully ensconced in "protection" could easily result in your or your loved one's demise. The result? Continuous growth of home security systems, from Ring to full video/audio surveillance; inside and out. Homebuyers are being recorded and there's no obligation for anyone to disclose that.

Smile for the Camera

Under federal and Georgia law, some types of surveillance are legal, and others are not. Whether the…

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Appraisers and home inspectors are important parts of a real estate transaction, but they serve completely different purposes. There are significant differences between an appraisal and a home inspection, it’s best for every home buyer to become familiar with the purpose of each. In fact, some real estate agents would also benefit from a reminder about their respective roles.

What is a Real Estate Appraisal?

In brief (operative word), an appraisal is an estimate of the current market value of a home completed by an appraiser using set evaluation criteria. In most cases, if a home buyer is getting a mortgage, an appraisal will be completed. The appraiser represents the interests of the home buyer's lender. They do not represent either buyer or…

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Here’s a fun fact, real estate agents in GA have no fiduciary responsibility to their client or customer. Some may ask, “what does that mean”? Well, the exact definition varies depending on the type of business, but in short a fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients' interests ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust. Being a fiduciary thus requires being bound both legally and ethically to act in the other's best interests. Typical examples of fiduciaries are trustees, executors, and guardians.

Are Real Estate Agents in GA Fiduciaries?

In some states, but in Georgia real estate agents are not fiduciaries. They are of course expected to exercise reasonable…

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homebuyer regretWell add this to the list of “No chit Sherlock” observations coming out of the last two years. Seems that just over 70% of recent homebuyers have buyer’s remorse. In Feb '21 we noted that 44% of homebuyers had buyer's remorse, these new stats are bonkers. This number is a bit of a surprise and the reasons have to do with price but also with just about every other aspect of the buyer's transactions. Put politely, these buyers are now in a position that no one wants to be in…and they have only themselves to blame. Sure, the market over ’21 and the first part of ’22 was bonkers, competition was fierce. But how many of these mournful buyers made the cardinal sin of not qualifying their agent? Most of them.

Unqualified Real Estate Agents

So many…

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