Archives of real estate blog entries for June 01, 2012

Featured blog posts


By Bryant Tutas, Selling Florida one home at a time
(Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC)
This morning, while sitting in my office doing my daily MLS Hot Sheet study, I noticed a new listing. In the first line of the remarks section it read "Front screen door does not convey". Now what the heck is that all about? You mean I can buy your house but you won't leave the screen door? Well OK then, I think I'll go look at one of the other 20 similar homes instead. Can you picture a Buyer or their REALTOR® reacting like that? I can. As a Listing Broker, I firmly believe placing "take away" remarks, in a listing, is a huge error on the part of the REALTOR®. It's my opinion that this is "taking away" something of value, from the Buyer, before they even have a chance to look at the property. Buyers do not like the "take away". It starts the entire home buying process off in a negative...
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By Doug Capps, CLO, CRMS, MMS
(Guaranty Bank & Trust Co)
                                                               After attending the "second" Fairway Mortgage BOOT CAMP in Kansas City, I am proud to annouce that I have earned the MMS - Military Mortgage Specialist designation. The objective of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp in offering the designation of Military Mortgage Specialist™ is to provide a platform whereby our loan professionals can be thoroughly trained, equipped and certified to handle with excellence the mortgage loan needs of our active and former military clients. Our mission is to "serve those who serve!" As a Veteran myself, I am very PROUD that our company took the initiative to recognize the housing needs of our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans and their families!         Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporati...
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By Loreena and Michael Yeo, Real Estate Agents
(3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co.)
How Much Funds are Needed to Purchase a Home in Frisco TX? There are some funds that are needed which are pretty self-explanatory. Not much elaboration will be needed. They are: Down Payment Depending on the type of your loan determines the minimum down payment you require. FHA minimum down = 3.5% of home purchase price Conventional minimum down = 5% of home purchase price USDA minimum down = 0% VA minimum down = 0% There are possibilities where family members gift you the down payment. Check with the lender to see if this is a possibility for you. Closing Costs Fees you pay when you obtain a mortgage. Different lenders charge different closing costs. Some lenders require you to pay an upfront application fee and a credit report fee at the time when you submit a loan application. Some l...
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By Petra Norris, Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale
(Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc.)
Do I Have To Be 55 Years To Live In A 55+ Community In Lakeland FL? Writing about Lakeland FL 55+ adult communities, real estate market reports and activities, it is quite common that I often receive calls and emails from home buyers interested in 55+ adult communities.  One of the most frequently asked questions is of course "Do I have to be 55 years of age to live in a 55+ adult community in Lakeland FL? Many 55+ Adult Communities come in many different shapes, size and forms and while the basic concept is that residency is open to all people who meet the required minimum age of 55 years of age.  The Florida Commission on Human Relations has informative information with regards to registered 55+ Communities in Florida. According to the Federal Register 24 CFR Part 100; section 760.24-...
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By James Quarello, Connecticut Home Inspector
(JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC)
There exist in any house at any time numerous potential fire hazards. The one component with the most fire potential would probably have to be the electrical system. A short circuit causing an electrical arc can start a fire faster than a kid with a book of matches and a can of lighter fluid. Fortunately the likelihood of this actually occurring, the arcing not a kid with matches, is relatively slim. So why, I seem to ask myself many times a week, would anyone want amp up the risk. Usually it seems due to simple ignorance and or the other common reason, money and because it ain't my house. Take a look at this photo of a bedroom in a condominium. Does anything jump out at you as a potential fire risk? I would have to believe most people would not notice the A/C unit over the electric bas...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Yesterday, I had a missed call from an area code I recognized as the Atlanta area.  I called back and the person at the other end was surprised and said, "Yes, I heard you're the person to ask about Flooring questions."       I was surprised (and curious), so I listened.  She said that she found my blog and was intrigued not only because I explained things well (in a straight forward/easy to understand way), but also because I was a woman and she thought that was cool given that all the people she had previously spoken to about flooring were male.   She was trying to figure out what type of hardwood to put over concrete and came across my blog post.  She had been told by a contractor that she knew that you could put solid hardwood and glue it directly over concrete.  Her gut told her th...
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Below is a 15-year depiction of median sale prices in the U.S. Housing Market*. The blue line shows prices, the shaded columns highlight the last 15 "spring markets". Take a long look, draw your own conclusions, then I will share mine below…     Conclusion #1:   There has been no “housing meltdown”, but a bubble and a correction. This is approximately where prices would be today if there was never a bubble in the first place. Conclusion #2:   Home prices rise every spring. Demand is stronger, which puts upward pressure on prices. They flatten out or come down in the fall. This happens every year. It's as predictable as the weather. Conclusion #3:   Home prices have been bouncing along the bottom since 2009.  Conclusion #4:   The housing market makes perfect sense when you stand back and...
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By Jordon Wheeler, J W Group Real Estate Sales and Service
(The Jordon Wheeler Group)
  Atlanta Buyers, Freddie Mac no longer offers two year home warranty for its owner occupant and second home buyers.  As of May 24, 2012, Freddie Mac ended the two year home warranty and started a new offering on May 25, 2012.  So glad that my Atlanta buyers who closed on May 18th, one week before the big change. So now Freddie Mac is offering Atlanta buyers a $500 credit towards a one year home warranty.  The Atlanta buyer gets to choose the warranty company (previously Freddie Mac have a pre determined vendor), and the warranty company will be cut a check for the $500 credit at closing.  Other rules are still the same - owner occupant purchasing a first home or a second home that is a HomeSteps property.  Investors are not eligible to receive the home warranty credit. I think the cha...
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By Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty, Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
(Bucci Realty, Inc.)
When interviewing a real estate agent to sell your home you should expect to receive a lot of background questions from the real estate agent.  If you don't get any questions about your home and your desires, you may have the wrong agent! Most of these questions are targeted toward finding out about your property and may include general information like... Reason for selling. How long lived in your home,  Whether leaving the area or buying a new home,  Your time line,  Your experience/familiarity with the real estate sales process,  Any improvements made to your home,  Your favorite things about your house. The answers to the above questions are all useful to any real estate agent who is trying to get hired by you to market your home. Don't Answer This Question First When Interviewing A...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
    Out of signs! Where Do You Get Signs Made Fast in the Baltimore area?                                    At FASTSIGNS of Owings Mills...but of course!                                                                                                         Joe and Lorri Schonfeld with my beautiful new sign.   It has been a wonderfully busy week with a bunch of new listings when  I realized my sign inventory was way down..like gone. I made a call on Wednesday to  FASTSIGNS in Owings Mills. What a pleasure when the owner Lorri remembered me. I told her my dilemma. That was just music to her ears! Within 24 hours... a message came in..."Your signs are ready."  Lorri owns FASTSIGNS with hubby Joe and both were at the shop when I arrived. Using my iPad,  I invited Joe to join ActiveRain. D...
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By Anna "Banana" Kruchten, 602-380-4886
(HomeSmart Real Estate )
How to improve curb appeal to get your Phoenix home sold - 6 steps to follow Curb appeal is very important when selling your Phoenix home.  First impressions make a big difference in how potential buyers will view your home. Curb appeal can make potential buyers say -  I can't wait to see the inside!  Or it might be on the other side - It's just ok I don't really want to see it.There have been times when myself and my buyers drive up to a home fully intending to view it, but the buyers can't stand how the home 'really' looks from the curb. They don't even want to go in.  So we move on to the next home on the tour. What first impression do you want your house to give potential buyers?  By following these six steps you'll be on your way to making every potential buyer say "I can't wait to...
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Blog posts


By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Roanoke Virginia Homes For Sale- Interested in moving to Roanoke VA?  Already live in Roanoke VA and thinking of Selling your Roanoke VA Home?  Renting in Roanoke VA and thinking of Buying your first Roanoke VA Home?  The Roanoke Home Team is here to help all Home Buyers and Sellers!The Roanoke Home Team has been in business for nine years now.  Founder Damon Gettier formed the Roanoke Home Team out of an intense desire to give his Clients the attention, communication and service they deserved. A lot of thought went into naming the The Roanoke Home Team. How could we show our clients and communities how much we care? We wanted to be the South West Virginia’s “Home Team”, the team that would care the most, do the most and provide the absolute best service in the Roanoke Valley! How could...
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By The Brewer Team - Benchmark Realty
(Benchmark Realty)
Return to Nashville homes search page For the most-up-to-date information on Nashville current home values, then we urge you to contact us. We can assist you with all aspects of buying or selling real property in this and other neighborhoods in the Nashville Metro area. Also ask to be placed on an instant notification system when any new xxxxxxxx MLS listings come on the market or price reductions in Nashville are posted. Benchmark realty can assist buyers in all forms of Nashville relocation needs including new construction houses, condos, townhouses, for sale by owner homes, residential lots, townhomes, lofts, and new homes in various subdivisions across the Nashville Metro region. If you are interested in foreclosure homes including pre-foreclosures, short sales, REO properties, ban...
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By Colleen Coleman
(Colleen Coleman. Broker)
Many banks are now offering cash incentives to borrowers who are behind on their mortgage payments, encouraging them to sell their house in a short sale. Previously, a government program called HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative) incentivized homeowners by paying them $3000 for relocation assistance at the time of completion of the short sale of their house. Banks including J.P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America have taken a step further by paying huge cash incentives, starting at $5,000 and higher, to the homeowners for doing a short sale. Why Banks Are Paying Cash Incentives to Homeowners Who Opt For A Short Sale Foreclosure process is lengthy and very expensive. According to Francis Wissman of Moody’s Investors Service, loss severities on properties liquidated ...
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By Colleen Coleman
(Colleen Coleman. Broker)
FNMA and FHLMCLoan Forbearance Policies Did you lose your job? Suddenly, through no fault of your own, you are faced with trying to make your mortgage payment with severely restricted income. This program is designed to help someone exactly like you! This is a Federal program under the Making Home Affordable programs. There are all kinds of programs that the Federal government is sponsoring. They all have the same goal—to get you to keep your house and get you payment relief. This program in particular is a forbearance plan, where the lender will reduce the amount of your mortgage payment for a specific time. The lender will either cut the payment or reduce it to zero for 6 months. This extra time will allow you to look for a job and get back on your feet again. There are rules, of cour...
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By Mark Maupin See Blog Free Investors Training, National Real Estate Investors Network Host
(National Real Estate Network, LLC)
Section 8 Eastpointe MI offers a lot of opportunities for local Detroit Area, nationwide, and international investors. Many investors already know about Detoit real estate investing.  The buying price is inexpensive compared to many parts of the US and the entire world.  However, many landlords foreclosed on their properties, and this creates a shortage of places for renters to live.  Therefore, small property buying prices combine with higher rents to create great ROI opportunities for the real estate investor. Many people want to leave the City of Detroit for different reasons.  However, they do not want to move far from the City of Detroit.  Perhaps, they have family or other connections there. Places like Eastpointe MI allow these people to leave the city while remaining close to it...
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By Jenifer Lower, Your Dream. Our Passion.
(Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net)
Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook EMAIL JENIFER MAY E-LETTER Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net Builders Confidence Level Rising "Builders in many markets are reporting that buyer traffic and sales have picked back up after a pause this April..." For Those Of Us Who Are Visual Learners Real Estate Market Broken Down We provide professional services for buyers and seller of real estate in the Bozeman, Belgrade, Four Corners, Gallatin Gateway, Big Sky, Manhattan, Three Forks and Ennis areas. Helpful Market Calculation for Your Real Estate Transaction Median home prices are expected to fall another 0.8% for the 12 months ending December 2012 but rise 4.1% in the 12 months after that. See how your market is expected to fare. Thank you, Jenifer Owens Forward to a Friend Update Subscri...
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By Colleen Coleman
(Colleen Coleman. Broker)
Have you been faithfully making all your mortgage payments yet watched your equity wither away? Have you been feeling like the Federal assistance programs have nothing to offer you? Well, think again! The HARP Refinance Program may just fill the bill for a lot of homeowners who are current, but find themselves boxed in on all sides. They are current on all their payments and may be struggling to pay the mortgage, yet they are unable to refinance into a lower cost loan because their property values have fallen. Sounds like you? Well, read on. The HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) is a Federal government program that is designed to help homeowners refinance their current mortgages into a more stable fixed-rate loan product. The mortgage must be owned by FNMA or FHLMC (Freddie Mac)....
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By ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779, CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com
( REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK )
Baby Boomers- Where and How Do You Choose to Live? Lifestyle & Real Estate Choices  (FAQ 10)Of course Baby Boomers know that real estate decisions are not to be taken lightly.    (weighing the choices?) Possibly even more than other groups, we are likely to consider the “big picture”  (family and generational issues, our pets, wellness, net-worth, diversification, liquidity needs, etc.) Many Boomers retiring or unretiring may enjoy the prospect of moving into a smaller home with green amenities. To explore all of this, we conducted a survey on general preferences in Boomer lifestyle choices.Question 10: Do Baby Boomers have particular preferences in terms of how and where we choose to live?Answer:  We found a number of preferences and have listed the top 15 below. Let’s take a look at t...
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By Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty, Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
(Bucci Realty, Inc.)
What is the difference between a townhouse and a condo? Why are the condo fees so much higher than a townhouse community fee? Many home buyers confuse condos and townhomes although these are these two distinctly different forms of residential properties.  From the outside many of these are indistinguishable.    But the differences can be significant. In a condo you own no land individually.  You own your unit from the interior walls. You own an interest in all the common area and property. The condominium association usually provides a master insurance policy and the owner individually insures their personal belongings, interior unit, personal liability [talk with a licensed insurance professional].  Additionally the association usually provides maintenance, electricity, taxes and upkee...
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By Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty, Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
(Bucci Realty, Inc.)
FAQ: What will happen with the lot next door?  Buyers who are considering the purchase of a home or condo with a vacant lot(s) next door or even a wooded area behind them must be careful when evaluating the property for purchase. These are only words of caution....not legal advice. Yesterday while showing an oceanfront condo in Indialantic, Florida I was asked about the vacant lot next door and what could happen with it.  The condo had some great south and east views from the balcony but if another condo was built the view could vanish. My answer was one I have spoken many times in the past...  I can't speculate on what may or may not happen. All I (or any other real estate agent) should say is that as of this moment it is vacant and you have a clear view of the ocean. When considering ...
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By Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty, Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
(Bucci Realty, Inc.)
Sometimes the offer is more than the offer price… I have read several articles recently about real estate multiple offer situations.  I am sure sellers are hoping this signals a shifting real estate market in Brevard County, Florida. A multiple offer situation is usually brought about when a very attractive listing hits the market and buyers recognize the value or it may just be luck like when a reasonably priced property gets the attention of more than one serious buyer. Either way several offers may arrive simultaneously! And the winner will be the one with the highest price, right?  Wrong! Prospective home buyers often do not realize an offer is more than the price.  When a seller hears an offer is on the table the first question is about price.  While price is likely the most import...
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By Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239, Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com
(Real Estate One)
Buckhorn Lake inOrion Township, Michigan is a wonderful lake for paddle boats and row boats. This private all sports lake is only an electric motor lake with no public access and no public beach.  It is 16 acres in size.  Most of the lakes have 40'-90' of lake frontage and up to 140'.   There is not a whole lot of space and acreage if this is what your looking for.  Buckhorn Lake inOrion Township, Michigan homes were built the years of 1940-1990 with square footage from 1000 to 2400.  M-24 and Clarkston Rd run along the side of the lake and only 1/4 of the lake homes on it.  Buckhorn Lake inOrion Township, Michigan home styles are ranches, colonials and split levels. Buckhorn Lake inOrion Township, Michigan has other Orion Twp lake homes which are Elkhorn Lake, Indianwood Lake, Lake Ori...
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By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker, Put 40 years of experience to work for you
(Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker)
Like any Sacramento short sale agent, I can't wait for Chase to adopt Equator. That's the buzz in short sale land. Once Chase gets into Equator this summer, those short sales should run a bit more smoothly. There is nothing inherently wrong with a Chase short sale except that they take too danged long to close. Well, that and negotiators are not notified when they receive a faxed document at the main fax number, so documents get lost. Equator will put a stop to that. Too bad Equator can't fix the rest of what's wrong with Chase. The little twist to a particular Chase short sale came about in a closing last week. Something happened that I have never before seen. Chase pulled its approval. On the day we were to record. Chase refused to approve the final HUD even though the final HUD match...
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By The Valley Solutions Real Estate Team, Number 1 Producing Team at HomeSmart Nationwide
(HomeSmart)
$100,000 3 Bedroom Home for Sale in Apache Junction, Sunrise Canyon subdivision, near 60 freeway and 202 freeway, minutes from Banner Baywood Medical Center, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Lost Dutchman State Park. This Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home offers vaulted ceilings, Open Kitchen with view to Great room, Custom paint decor, Spacious Great room, Faux wood blinds thru out, Ceiling fans thru out. Wonderful Grassy backyard. Perfect for Playtime! Click here to see all photos and all details Search All homes in the region at http://www.topazhomesearcher.com/ For more information on Sunrise Canyon homes for sale or to view homes for sale in Sunrise Canyon, please click the link below: Sunrise Canyon Homes For Sale - Homes For Sale In Sunrise Canyon Chad Johnson Listing courtesy of So...
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By Edward & Celia Maddox, EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
(The Celtic Connection Realty)
The Celtic Connection Team at Solutions Real Estate has a website featuring homes specifically in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ. The website can be viewed at Queen Creek and San Tan Valley Real Estate and features Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ homes for sale, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ real estate, a search for Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ bank owned or foreclosures, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ Golf Course Homes, and Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ Swimming Pool Homes. There is also a page that provides a real time update showing Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ properties that have been newly listed or had price changes. You can even see Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ rentals. Examples of Gated Homes in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley AZ: 2 Bedrooms 2 Bat...
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By Roger D. Mucci, Lets shake things up at your home today!
(Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092)
Don't miss out on this fantastic 30-30 Challenge.  All you need to do is write a post every day for the month of June (30 posts) and 10 of them have to be Hyper-Local posts.  Even those who are not Rainmakers are eligible..............thanks to the AR Staff and Amy Hahn.  Post them to Members Only as you normally do and Kerrie will take care of the rest.  At the end of the challenge,  just make sure you e-mail Kerrie @ kerrie@activerain.com.Hyper Local Challenge... The Faces & Places of Your Community Real Estate is Local and Hyper Local blog posts are a fabulous way to provide content for the folks who may just be your next potential client. From Subdivisions to Homeowner's Associations, and Local Businesses to Events, the consumer likes loves to learn about an area that they are consi...
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  Do you like Wine, how about dogs?   One Bedford County Winery has come up with a great way to support Dogs in need while you enjoy some great Bedford County wine!   Savoy-Lee Winery in Huddleston VA is having this event on Saturday June 2 from 12pm till 5pm as a benefit for the All American Mut Rescue.   This even will have all types of vendors.   GruvenCat Bakery will be there with chocolate treats and All American Mutt Rescue will have chocolate adoptables!   Just Liz will be there with amazing handcrafted silver jewelry.  Rick Dellinger will be singing and entertaining from 2-5pm.  Tanker Tots and PeopleFood For Dogs … two locally owned business specializing in healthy, nutritious foods and treats for our pets will be there.  Kreations by Keitha will be doing people and pets photos...
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By Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty, Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
(Bucci Realty, Inc.)
When interviewing a real estate agent to sell your home you should expect to receive a lot of background questions from the real estate agent.  If you don't get any questions about your home and your desires, you may have the wrong agent! Most of these questions are targeted toward finding out about your property and may include general information like... Reason for selling. How long lived in your home,  Whether leaving the area or buying a new home,  Your time line,  Your experience/familiarity with the real estate sales process,  Any improvements made to your home,  Your favorite things about your house. The answers to the above questions are all useful to any real estate agent who is trying to get hired by you to market your home. Don't Answer This Question First When Interviewing A...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
A Real Estate agent can be paid a fee for services by either the buyer or the seller.   It is determined by your Buyer Broker representation form and Information About Brokerage Services.   This is a form that you should be presented with at the beginning if your relationship.   In many cases the seller pays the fees of both the listing and selling agents.   If you want to assure that your agent is working only for you it may be that you will want to work out an agreement where you agree to pay the agent yourself.   It is very important that everyone involved with the transaction knows who is paying the fees.   Communication is always key to a happy successful transaction.
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By Kevin McGrath, Long & Foster Real Estate Companies
(Long & Foster Real Estate Companies- Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania)
RE/MAX BRAVO | REMAX BRAVO | (540) 809-0660 65 Forest Grove Rd, Colonial Beach, VA Great 3BR starter - close to POTOMAC RIVER 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $90,900 Year Built 2007 Sq Footage 1,200 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION What a great starter home! 3Br-2BA one story home with nice family room, spacious kitchen, rear deck, double vanity in master bathroom, huge front yard and more. Only few minutes from POTOMAC RIVER and TOWN OF COLONIAL BEACH, 20 minutes from DAHLGREN NSWC. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Family room - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3Photo 4Photo 5Photo 6Photo 7Photo 8Photo 9Photo ...
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