We’ve all seen the movies where an average family’s new dream home becomes a nightmare as they discover it’s haunted by restless spirits. That’s just movie magic, right? But whether or not you believe in ghosts, you’d probably want to know if someone had passed away in the home you’re purchasing. It’s actually a really […]
Jenny Manukyan
How to Complete Your Transfer Disclosure Statement with No Surprises
When you sell your home, it can be tempting to gloss over that leaky plumbing your cousin “fixed.” But this isn’t Craigslist. And California Case Law declares that it’s a home seller’s legal obligation to disclose to the buyer any known material facts impacting a property’s value or desirability. A transfer disclosure statement (TDS) allows […]
Are You Sure You’re Adhering to Fair Housing Laws?
In our industry, and America in general, fair housing is an unalienable right. That’s why it’s every agent’s responsibility to uphold these values with unimpeachable ethics. This isn’t just a social belief. It’s the law. At JohnHart, we strictly adhere to the Fair Housing and Discrimination Law. Even if this law weren’t in place, we’d […]
When Should You Use an Assignment of Contract?
Real estate is full of all sorts of interesting twists and turns. For many agents, this diversity is all part of the thrill. But no matter how you feel about it, change is the norm and no two transactions are the same. For example, sometimes, in the midst of a transaction, a buyer may need […]
How Real Estate Fixture Planning Saves You an 11th Hour Headache
Real estate transactions are usually so massive that disagreements are commonplace. We try to catch potential pain points as early on in the process as possible. But some home sales are a little more turbulent than others. Real estate fixture disputes are one of the most common sources of discord in this industry. Unfamiliar with […]
When Should You Use a Counter Offer in Real Estate?
Real estate transactions are rarely simple, even when buyers see eye to eye. This is through no lack of trying on our part! As real estate agents, we use our expertise and an industry-spanning system to try to keep things as straightforward as possible. But when approaching the escrow process, there are often a few […]
Real Estate Tip: HOA Info.
Prior to listing a property on the MLS, get all the information you need that pertains to the homeowners association. Note that it’s not only condominiums that have HOA. A lot of single family residences in PUDs or gated communities have an association as well.
Real Estate Tip: Termite Inspection
Termite is one of the most common inspections during a real estate transaction. It’s customary, in a standard sale, for the seller to provide a termite report and to pay for section 1 of the work to be completed. Section 2 of report is commonly paid by the buyer.
Real Estate Tip: Get Testimonials
Ask clients to write you testimonials to promote you. A lot of people rely on the word and experience of others to help make decisions, especially on such large transactions. Think of how much you’ve looked at Yelp or reviews of others when you’re looking into a new restaurant or a new product. This is […]
Real Estate Tip: C.A.R. Counter Offer
You may have noticed that the Counter Offer has changed its look a bit from what we’ve been used to seeing. ZipForm has been updated to include the new C.A.R. counter offer. The only major difference is that this counter may not be used for multiple counter offers. ZipForm still has the Multiple Counter Offer […]