Why You Need a Buyer Agent

I am so excited to have just randomly received this testimonial from a customer - "You could not have hooked us up with a better person. Anne is amazing and has been so wonderful to us. Thank you thank you!" They went on to say that she has already helped them immensely in their home search. The kicker is that she just became acquainted with them this weekend. They had been looking at homes randomly and usually calling the list agent to see them, but now that they have their OWN Agent working on THEIR behalf, they are making tremendous headway. Having a buyer specialist costs you nothing but can be invaluable in terms of time saved, knowledge of the market, and legal liability. Call Anne Rudert today! She can be reached at 336-813-7645 or anne@theshoreteam.com.

Up and Out!

I often get chided by my buyer clients because I am always looking "up" and "out" -- up at the ceiling and out at the yard. Maybe it's because I grew up in a floodplain and literally remember standing with my brother as he fished off the carport into our backyard (true story!), or maybe it's because my otherwise incredibly maintained rental apartment in law school (that's a whole other story...) had a minor but consistent leak around an exhaust pipe which resulted in major roof expenses, but I am ALWAYS looking up and out when viewing a home. Does the yard slope towards the home? Are there any slushy patches that hint at poor drainage? Are there any cracks that are more than the typical settling crack in a ceiling or over a door? Are there any water spots on the ceiling, old or fresh? Of course, when any of these are seen, my advice is to always consult the seller's agent but then, most importantly, consult a certified home inspector. Steve Martin with Pillar to Post sent out a blog about this very thing today, and here is an excerpt:
From "popcorn" to plaster to drywall, there are many different ceiling materials in today's homes. Look for signs of damage no matter what the material. Ceiling stains can indicate water damage from leaking pipes, a bathroom fixture overflow, or a leaking roof. Before any attempt is made to repair water damage, it must be determined if the cause of the leak will continue to affect the ceiling, or if it the damage is related to a single event in the past. If water is dripping from the ceiling, the source of the water will need to be found and stopped, and the ceiling will need to be thoroughly dried before attempting any repair work. If the damage is severe, a professional contractor specializing in structural drying should be consulted.... Minor ceiling cracks are not uncommon and may simply be the result of the home settling. Even older homes can continue to settle for decades. If the cracks are minor, they can be repaired with relative ease. The technique used will depend on the ceiling material. Old plaster ceilings will often sag and crack over time, and can be patched with drywall instead of new plaster. Popcorn ceiling cracks can be covered with aerosol sprays made specifically for this use. Major cracking can be due to seismic activity or structural issues and should be assessed by a professional before repair or replacement.


To learn more about Steve and his home inspection services, visit www.pillartopost.com.

Buyer Expectations

This weekend I had several instances of buyers with unrealistic expectations (all were working with other agents, so I am not talking about any of my folks here!). I hear a lot "the market is down, so they can't expect that price." But guess what? A lot of sellers are educated and are priced for this market already. So, before you lowball just because "it's a down market," please have your agent do a market analysis. You may still choose to lowball, but at least you will recognize that many homes are already priced for THIS market and not for a booming one. If you need a market analysis done and don't have a Realtor, contact me asap!