Meet George, a long time client of Real Estate Advocates in Columbia, South Carolina. Over the past 7 years or so George has bought and sold several homes with Real Estate Advocates. He paid a flat fee of $700 each to list 4 properties. The total sales price of these 4 properties was $1,363,500. If he had paid 3% to list these properties, he would have paid $41,000, just on the listing side. By listing with Real Estate Advocates for a flat fee he SAVED over $36,000!
George has also purchased multiple homes with Real Estate Advocates and taken advantage of our Buyer Rebate Program. With our Buyer Rebate Program, our buyers receive a cash rebate back at closing. In George’s most recent transaction he received a $4,300 buyer rebate at closing from Real Estate Advocates.
Here at Real Estate Advocates, we list properties for a flat fee for all of South Carolina. When you are listed with Real Estate Advocates not only will you appear in your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), your property is also featured on hundreds of local and national websites. Some of the major websites that Real Estate Advocates includes your property on are Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow.
Our Buyer Rebate Program is another great reason why you should allow Real Estate Advocates to represent you. Real Estate Advocates offers cash back in the form of a Buyer Rebate up to $5,000. This rebate is available to buyers that Real Estate Advocates represents purchasing any listed property. Since Real Estate Advocates opened in 1991 we have helped hundreds of clients on the buying side and have a strong network and knowledge of the real estate industry.
For more information visit our website www.JKingProperties.com or call 803-318-4712.
Buying a home can be one of the biggest investment choices that you make. If you are looking to buy in Columbia, SC, let me assist you. Below are some Do's and Don'ts that will make this process easier.
Do's for buying in Columbia, SC-
1. Before you start your search, go to a Lender and get pre-qualified. This should be the first step in the home buying process and will help point you in the right direction. If you need names of good local lenders, email or call us. www.JKingProperties.com
2. When you get qualified, find out the amount of down payment required, your interest rate, and approximate closing cost. Also an estimated monthly payment that you are comfortable paying. Make sure your monthly payments include taxes and insurance. Here is a link to help you calculate payment before taxes and insurance- http://www.scflatfeelisting.com/calculate.php
3. Find a quality Buyer's Agent or Broker that represents you and not the Seller. Ask for the agent's qualifications in writing. A good agent should have plenty of testimonials and statistics on the number of home they sold. http://www.zillow.com/profile/JasonEKing/Reviews?my=y
4. See if the Buyer's Agent offers a rebate. We offer up to a $5,000 cash rebate after closing. http://www.jkingproperties.com/buyerrebate.asp
5. Identify area and criteria for your house search. This is important to narrow the list when there is a large inventory on the market. Search to buy any listed property in the Columbia, SC area- http://www.jkingproperties.com/mlssearch.asp
6. Give your agent your email address to have listings sent to you. Real Estate Advocates can set you up on a search through the MLS locally, which is more accurate then public websites. http://www.jkingproperties.com/mlssearch.asp
7. Get all disclosures to review, prior to making an offer. These disclosures include: Homeowner fees, estimated taxes, insurance and utilities, flood or hurricane insurance requirements or assessments that are due or proposed. These can all blindside you as the buyer.
8. Negotiate strong initially as they could say Yes. Why leave money on the table? If they say No, you can always counter with a new offer. We can help you buying in Columbia, SC.
Don'ts for buying in Columbia, SC-
1. Don't start your search buying in Columbia, SC until you put your house on the market. www.scFlatFeeListing.com This will save you valuable time. If you find a property before yours is on the market or Sold, make sure that you include a contingency with a 1st right of refusal.
2. Don't let emotions control your decisions. It is OK to love it, just don't pay to love it. You do not want to be upside down in a house or buy a money pit. Buying in Columbia, SC can be well worth the right investment.
3. Don't list for longer than 4 months when buying. www.scFlatFeeListing.com
4. Don't list without reading everything carefully including withdrawal policy and variable commissions. What happens if the Listing Agent gets the Buyer vs if you do? We can help you with buying or selling in Columbia, SC.
5. Don't use a listing agent without first checking out their success rate. We list properties for a flat fee saving our sellers thousands of dollars that can be used in negotiations. Check out our listing packages at www.scFlatFeeListing.com You can also see our testimonials on http://www.zillow.com/profile/JasonEKing/Reviews?my=y
Buying in Columbia, SC can be a great experience if you follow these Do's and Don'ts.
Jason King
Real Estate Advocates
803 318 4712
In South Carolina, it is the law that every sale or option on a property, must have a Residential Property Disclosure Statement filled out. This is a document that gives more information about the property and any problems it may have. http://scflatfeelisting.com/forms/general/Property%20Disclosure.pdf This includes for sale by owners. I have had many people tell me that they are exempt (investors, agents, relocation companies, for sale by owners...). I think that it is always better to disclose then not disclose.
I would like to caution For Sale By Owners and Investors that the Property Disclosure is still required by law. When I invested, I would fill out the disclosure, but state that the property was an investment and was never lived in by the owner. This way the seller is still protecting his/ herself are protected against the things that they do not have any knowledge of. Feel free to download the form here http://scflatfeelisting.com/forms/general/Property%20Disclosure.pdf
There are some exceptions to the law- http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t27c050.htm The most common are if the property is land only or new construction/ never lived in. This week I listed a property in Earlewood, which is in downtown Columbia. My Seller is the executor of an estate. He was concerned with filling out the property disclsore. As it turns out, this is one of the exemptions.
For more information on listing your property in Columbia, SC, call or email me.
Jason King
Real Estate Advocates
803 318 4712
So my Buyer in Lexington, SC says, "Should we buy a house with a contingency contract and then sell mine or Sell mine and try to find a new home in 30 days?". This is a question that I'm sure many agents have been asked. In Lexington, SC we have Lake Murray and many of the homes are a higher price range. Let's look at both scenarios:
Buy then Sell:
My Buyers can take their time and find a home in Lexington, SC that is right for them. They also do not have to worry about two house payments. But, we lose our negotiation room on the offer price with a contingency to sell.
Sell then Buy: (What we are doing)
We still have our eye on a property in Lexington, SC on Lake Murray, but it is not under contract. If they sell that property, my buyers can withdraw their listing. If the Buyers property that they are selling in Lexington, SC goes under contract, then we can put in an offer to buy and have a much stronger position.
Each buyer is going to have specific circumstances that effect their decision. Some buyers in Lexington, SC can afford 2 homes and that is what they are looking for. Some buyers in Lexington, SC do not know what property they want to buy after they sell and do not want a short term rental until they find a new home.
Jason King
Real Estate ADvocates
803 318 4712
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