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Why Do You Need a Property Manager?

02-12-12
Sharon Kolb,Broker - Atlanta Decatur Homes
Sharon Kolb,Broker - Atlanta Decatur Homes: Real Estate Agent in Atlanta, GA
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  • Office: (404) 373-8924

Why Do You Need a Property Manager?

Posted on February 12, 2012 by
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You need a Property Manager for many of the same reasons you need a professional real estate agent. To make your life easier.

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Realtors are licensed and knowledgeable about State and Local laws that might affect your property. For example, in some municipalities there is a limit on the number of unrelated adults that can occupy a home legally.

A good Property Manager can handle most of the sticky issues that may arise in leasing your home. They can:

  • Advertise the property for lease with signs, lockboxes, information boxes and emails to other local realtors and to major local businesses. Distribute flyers and brochures to the multiple listing service, personal websites, Realtor.com, Craigslist, Postlets.com, rentdigs.com, and a host of other appropriate sites.
  • Screen prospective tenants by checking credit histories, references, past landlords, and backgrounds.
  • Prepare a comprehensive Lease that protects the Landlord and the Tenant, spelling out possible problems like access to the property, accountability for damage to the property, and early termination of the Lease by either party.
  • Keep individual records for each client, collect and hold Security Deposits and rent. Pay maintenance bills or lawn service if requested. Send out an itemized statement to the Landlord each month, and a year-end report as well.
  • Maintain the property by handling repairs when requested or necessary. Professional Property Managers have good electricians, handymen, and plumbers available, as well as lawn services.
  • Let tenants into the property when they are locked out.

For RentWhite[1]Perhaps one of the most difficult duties that Property Managers perform is maintaining a good relationship and communication with your tenants. Tenants come in all forms and not all of them are amiable, even though they pay the rent on time and keep the property in good condition. Prickly tenants need a diplomatic approach and one that an experienced Property Manager can handle with ease.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes located in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years and offering professional property management for homes in the Emory area.

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Whitney Houston....I Will Always Love You!

02-12-12
Thom Abbott-Search Midtown Atlanta Condo - Intown Atlanta GA Neighborhoods
Thom Abbott-Search Midtown Atlanta Condo - Intown Atlanta GA Neighborhoods: Real Estate Brokerage in Atlanta, GA
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  • Office: (404) 876-4901
  • Mobile: (770) 713-1505
  • Secondary: (404) 247-6696

The tributes will go on for days, maybe even weeks. Some may go on forever. We will hope that the troubles of recent times will not overshadow the wonders of times past. An amazing voice, an amazing talent.

We will see various performers try to do her songs again. Some will succeed and some will not. Her shoes maybe just to big to fill.

And there will be other types of tributes. Ones, thanks to the power of social media, we too can enjoy although we may never be able to travel as far as Dubai to see them live. We will hope they remain now for a long time.

This one certainly should.

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Video of Another Vandalized Atlanta Foreclosure

02-11-12
Hank Miller, Broker & Certified Appraiser
Hank Miller, Broker & Certified Appraiser: Real Estate Agent in Alpharetta, GA
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  • Office: (678) 428-8276

Here's a foreclosure home in the East Point area of Atlanta that has been picked clean - including into the walls. This is an example of one of the challenges faced by owners of vacant homes in Atlanta; vandalism is rampant and is costing owners - including lenders - big money.

For years, vacant homes have sat minus appliances and HVAC systems as those would disappear almost as quickly as they arrived, in some cases within a day. It's common in this market to have a stipulation that these will be installed the day prior to closing...and the seller will sit with fingers crossed to make it to the table intact. Investors will always be drawn to the REO and foreclosure inventory but we're seeing a demonstrated shift away for the "primary residence buyer". These buyers expect a bargain because they keep hearing Case-Shiller or some other media outlet reporting on crashing housing prices in Atlanta. The Atlanta housing market is not accurately reflected in those reports and we're seeing clear signs that many buyers in Atlanta are rapidly losing interest in foreclosures due to the nonsense. The lenders know where values are stabilizing, they're not giving anything away....

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Georgia’s Buyer Agency Law….How Does it Affect You?

02-10-12
Winter Baserva, Realtor Atlanta, GA Homes For Sale
Winter Baserva, Realtor Atlanta, GA Homes For Sale: Real Estate Agent in Atlanta, GA
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  • Office: (770) 475-1130 x9530
  • Mobile: (678) 463-3173

For years Georgia did not have a buyer agency law in place. As a matter of fact, the only party to have representation in the transaction was a seller. However, the state of Georgia passed a law that provides the buyer to have the representation as well, but with a few provisions.

First, the buyer needs to put his request for representation in writing by signing a contract with a real estate broker. And, this request needs to be in writing before going to look at houses and certainly before writing a contract. Without this request in writing, every agent the buyer talks to is technically representing the seller according to the way the law is written. So, why would you want everyone in the transaction representing the seller??

Well most don’t. However, the way the law is written, without a buyers agreement, the agent is obligated to protect the sellers price and interests and is NOT allowed to offer advice or opinion to the buyer.

Unfortunately, what this means is that any agent the unrepresented buyer talks to should not be given any confidential information as it may be used to the advantage of the seller, whom legally, the agent represents.

So, let’s say that a buyer, who decided not to sign a buyers agency agreement, decides to put an offer in on a home. The buyer has to tell the agent exactly what they want in the offer, without any advice or guidance being offered by the agent and the buyer may or may not understand the contract or the real estate process, can find himself in a world of hurt.

Ideally, the buyer should seek representation as soon as they are ready to look at houses. I recommend even before hand because there is a lot of education that goes into lending laws, pre approvals, etc that can save a buyer a boat load of time.

And Just a Few More Tips When Hiring a Buyers Agent:

· When you Google the Agent, What Do Their Clients Have to say about their services?

· If you are concerned about the commission, remember the commission is paid by the seller and can be negotiated with a for-sale-by-owner seller as well.

· Meet with the agent first; see if there is a comfort level with both the person’s knowledge and personality.

· ASK QUESTIONS!

Remember, it doesn’t cost you a thing to have us represent you, but it could end up saving you a fortune. Visit http://www.seasonsrealtygroup.com/Our-Team.html to learn more about how our EXCLUSIVE BUYERS AGENTS can help you succeed in a world of uncertainty!

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Neighborhood LIFT Atlanta | February 10-11, 2012

02-10-12
Thom Abbott-Search Midtown Atlanta Condo - Intown Atlanta GA Neighborhoods
Thom Abbott-Search Midtown Atlanta Condo - Intown Atlanta GA Neighborhoods: Real Estate Brokerage in Atlanta, GA
  • view my blog
  • Office: (404) 876-4901
  • Mobile: (770) 713-1505
  • Secondary: (404) 247-6696

Neighborhood LIFT Atlanta – February 2012

Attend a new and innovative homebuyer event

You may get the help you need to make

homeownership a real possibility

Neighborhood LIFT

If you have been considering home ownership, one of the biggest challenges is coming up with the money for a down payment. You might have excellent credit, but have just not been able to get enough put away for the needed contribution you need to make when you purchase a home. Well, now you have an option!

Neighborhood Lift Atlanta is coming THIS weekend to the Georgia World Congress Center.

If you have a goal to become a homeowner, you won’t want to miss the Neighborhood LIFTSM event, sponsored by Wells Fargo in collaboration with local non-profit organizations.

Date: February 10th and 11th
Time: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Exhibit Hall B1
285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
FREE PARKING: Please park in the Red Parking Deck. The Red Deck is at the end of Andrew Young International Blvd. Bring a copy of your event registration confirmation or tell the parking attendant that you’re with the Wells Fargo Neighborhood LIFT Atlanta event and you will be able to park for free. http://www.gwcc.com/directions/directions/BuildingB.aspx

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD LIFT, visit the website!

You May View a Flyer for Neighborhood LIFT here!

Keep in mind, when you register, it will ask if you ARE, or ARE NOT working with a real estate agent. You should ALWAYS be represented when buying a home! The Seller is represented by the Listing Agent, and you should have a Buyer’s Agent. Please feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions, or help you with the home buying process.

PLEASE NOTE: I WILL BE AT SPIRE CONDOMINIUMS, 860 PEACHTREE STREET, 30308 FOR BOTH DAYS OF THE EVENT. HERE IS THE HOME WE ARE SHOWCASING! PLEASE STOP BY AND VIEW IT AND IF I CAN ANSWER ANY HOME BUYING QUESTIONS I'D BE HAPPY TO!

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