We put together a list of 7 questions every buyer should ask an agent before inquiring into any property or home for sale.

Q.   Does your agency list properties for sale?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Fairway and Isle does not list properties for sale.  Fairway & Isle is an exclusive buyer’s agency that only represents buyers.  If a real estate agent is not working exclusively on the buyer’s behalf be aware that the agent will most likely be working on the seller’s behalf.  If an agency lists properties for sale the agency has a responsibility to the seller.

Q.  Will you guarantee to never change your relationship with me to dual agency?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Fairway and Isle will not participate in dual agency or any form of agency that compromises the buyer’s best interests.  If an agent mentions the potential of dual agency to you, politely decline to work with that agent, your best interests are not secured. Exclusive Buyer’s Agents will help you buy a home without compromising your best interests.

Q.  Will you enter into an exclusive buyer’s agency agreement with me?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Fairway & Isle only enters into exclusive buyer’s agency agreements with our clients.  You can work with us for a day, a week, a month, or more, it’s your choice.  We look forward to earning your business.

Q.  Will you spend the time to develop a detailed understanding of my preferences and requirements?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Yes and we love doing it!  Fairway & Isle works with you to develop a clear understanding of your preferences and requirements. Our agents will help you objectively shop the entire market to find you the home that is right for you.

Q.  Will you show me every property on the market that meets my specific needs, including new residential developments and properties that are for sale by owners?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Yes, it is our job to help you find the perfect home for the lowest price.  We will scour the market to find every home that meets your needs.   Fairway & Isle will provide you with a detailed report including the pros and cons of each property that we have viewed for you.  Our goal is for you to spend more time visiting properties that you are interested in and less time looking at properties that other agents are interested in selling you.

Q.  Can you guarantee that you will never share information about my financial position or other confidential information with a seller?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Yes, Fairway & Isle will guarantee to never share confidential information with a seller or an agent of the seller that would compromise your negotiating position.

Q.  Will you help me formulate an offering price and negotiating strategy?

Fairway & Isle’s Answer,

Yes. Fairway & Isle provides you with detailed sales comparable information to help you prepare a balanced and timely offer.  Fairway & Isle is devoted to helping you find the perfect property for the lowest price on the best terms.  Fairway & Isle will diligently negotiate on your behalf from the initial offer thru closing.  Fairway & Isle is with you every step of the way.

Buyer’s Tips

• Don’t call us, we’ll call you.  What every buyer should know about open houses, for sale signs, and listing ads, more.
• Know who your real estate agent represents.  Who Does Your Real Estate Agent Work For?

Don’t call us we’ll call you.

Open houses, for sale signs, Trulia, Realtor.com, home guides, relocation guides, real estate listings in the local newspaper, these are the selling agent’s tools of the trade, lures so to speak.

Years ago it was simple the real estate agent worked for the seller and the buyer knew to beware.  Today, it is not that simple for a buyer.  So what happens when you send that email, visit the new development, call the agent, or stop by the open house?    The real estate agents that you meet work for the seller and any information that you provide them will be used to the advantage of the seller.
Open Houses are a tremendous opportunity to learn about what you like and dislike in a home or community.   Keep in mind that open houses are tool for the seller’s agents to gather buyer leads.

The real estate agent that you meet at a new residential communities works for the seller and not the buyer.  If you don’t make it clear that you will want to be represented by an exclusive buyer’s agent before buying a home they will assume that you are not represented by an agent.

It is a great idea to canvass neighborhoods, stop by open houses, visit new real estate developments, and use Internet tools to find  a home.   Just make sure that you make it clear to each real estate agent that you speak with that you are shopping and that you haven’t decided which agent will represent you.

Buyer’s Tips

• Ask questions, make sure that you know who the real estate agent represents and that your interests as a buyer are protected.  We put together a list of 7 questions every buyer should ask a real estate agent before inquiring into any property for sale, more.
• Know who your real estate agent represents.  Who Does Your Real Estate Agent Work For?

Home buyers often believe that the real estate agent that they call or email works for them. It is important that buyers know that the real estate agent that they contact in response to an advertised listing or new community  typically works for the seller.  A real estate agent owes specific duties and loyalties to their clients.  Clients have typically signed either a buyer’s representation agreement or a seller’s listing agreement.  If you do not have a contract with your agent buyer beware, “anything you say can and will be used against you in a negotiation”.  We thought it would be helpful to breakdown the types of real estate agents that you will encounter as a buyer.

Exclusive Buyer’s Agent

Exclusive buyer’s agents represent the buyer 100% of the time.  Exclusive Buyer’s Agents do not represent the seller’s interests and the Exclusive Buyer’s Agency the buyers agents work for do not take seller’s listings. The exclusive buyer’s agent is obligated to obtain the best price and terms on behalf of the buyer. Exclusive Buyer’s Agents are a buyer’s best option.

Seller’s Agent

The seller’s agent lists properties for sale and is obligated to represent the seller’s interests. The seller’s agent is obligated to obtain the best price and terms on behalf of the seller.  The seller’s agents are responsible for marketing the seller’s property to attract interest from buyers.  Seller’s Agents are a seller’s best option.

Dual Agent

Dual agency occurs when real estate agents working for the same real estate agency represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. There is a tremendous amount of risk to both the buyer’s and the seller’s best interests in a dual agency transaction. Buyers should make every effort to avoid dual agency.

Buyer’s Tips

• Ask questions, make sure that you know who the real estate agent represents and that your interests as a buyer are protected.  We put together a list of 7 questions every buyer should ask a real estate agent before inquiring into any property for sale, more.
• Don’t call us, we’ll call you.  What every buyer should know about open houses, for sale signs, and listing ads, more.

Buyers can find great deals on new homes offered by national and regional home builders.  Larger builders are able to pass along the cost savings that come from their substantial purchasing power, efficiency and  experience developing residential communities.  New residential communities have grown in popularity because they often offer the greatest value for the dollar.  Buyers will find a variety of popular floor plans along with brand name components and amenities to choose from when shopping for a new home offered by a larger developer.  Home buyers can typically customize their flooring, counters, cabinets, lighting, walls, and exterior finishes but will often be limited to the floor plans that are offered.  The South Brunswick Islands real estate market has several residential communities that are being marketed by large developers such as Beazer Homes, Bill Clark Homes, Centex, and DR Horton.

Spring Mill Plantation – Beazer Homes
The Beacon Townes – Centex Homes
Savanna Lakes – Centex Homes
The Farm – DR Horton
Sunset Ridge – Bill Clark Homes
Mariners Pointe – Bill Clark Homes

Pros

• Lower prices
• Variety of popular floor plans.

Cons

• Limited to the floor plans that are offered.

Buyers Tips:

• Buyer beware.  The real estate agent that you contact at a new residential community works for the developer. The developer’s real estate agents have a responsibility to get the highest and best price for the new homes that they are offering for sale.   Fairway & Isle is an exclusive buyer’s agency dedicated to helping buyer’s find their next home for the lowest price possible.  Be sure to contact an exclusive buyer’s agent before you contact a seller’s real estate agent.  If you are just looking for future ideas or are ready to buy Fairway & Isle is here to help.
• Do your homework on the developer.  It is critically important to research the financial viability of the builder in today’s market. Home buyers must ensure that the builder is in a financial position to complete the community and deliver on their promises.  Fairway & Isle Buyer’s Realty will provide you with local and objective insight for each new home community that interests you.  Our real estate agents will provide you with the tools and objective information to truly compare each new home and residential community.

Contact us today.

With the new home buyer tax credit set to expire at the end of this month, the Senate and House voted last week to extend the $8,000.00 New Home Buyer Tax Credit. The extension is valid for contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 that close no later than June 30, 2010.

Homeowners that have lived in their home 5 or more years now qualify for a $6,500.00 credit when purchasing a new home. Income qualifications have been relaxed, couples earning up to $225,000 a year and individuals earning up to $125,000 a year now qualify.

Buyers should note that if you stop using a home as your primary residence within three years you will have to repay the tax credit. I am sorry to say that if you are looking to purchase a home worth more than $800,000 the homeowner tax credit is not for you.

For more information about The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit feel free to contact me.

Cobblestone Village, Sunset Beach, NC has 3 new homes on the market ranging from $299,000 to $369,000.   Lot prices currently range in price from $94,900 to $99,900. I home recently sold in Cobblestone Village for $269,900 in the past 90 days.   

Listing in Cobblestone Village

Please be sure to contact your Fairway & Isle exclusive buyer’s agent for the most up to date information on Cobblestone Village.

Townhomes for Sale at The Beacon Towns, Carolina Shores, NC.

• 1 new townhome is available for $155,000
• 3 resale townhomes range in price from $149,000 – $229,000
• 7 pre-construction townhomes from $139,500-$155,500

There have been 3 townhomes sold in the past 90 days for an average of $159,218.

Remember, please be sure to contact your Fairway & Isle exclusive buyer’s agent for the most up to date information on The Beacon Townes.