All Forum Posts by: Catherine Emert

@Bruce Frick I think that you would need to talk with the escrow/title company that is working with the deal. In my experience they have to make sure those bills are paid in full at "closing" especially taxes.

@Marquis Williams we can usually tell easily by talking with them. Since we are a brokerage we deal with a lot of them everyday. I’ve learned that if they make excuses in the beginning it’s going to get worse. Avoiding answering questions is a big red flag. My advice is ask questions and lots of them, if they show compassion and interest in all your questions you may find a good one. If they are unresponsive find a new lender. It can really kill a deal. We had one that’s had to have 4 extensions on the closing because of the failure to communicate from the lender.

I have noticed that a lot of landlords are choosing not to require last month's rent. I see a variety of security deposits, but baseline is usually 1.5 times the rent plus additional per pet. But I agree with everyone else to check your local and state regulations - sometimes cities have added regulations above what the state requires.

@Kevin Hoff from my research of what home improvements add value to a home a garage door usually gets more return on your investment. I can honestly say that if you are doing a fix and flip you will most likely get the value if you insulate and add the motor with remote. I don't know your market expertly, but I do know I have read this over and over again about garages.

@Joe Villeneuve I think that the agreement puts the relationship in a more secure and trusting position. Nothing in those agreements leads me to believe she shouldn't sign it. The point of the agreement is for protection for all parties. I have been in a situation where a client goes to an open house and another realtor keeps pushing at them to write an offer with them. In this case the client had signed one of these such agreements and they simply showed it to the realtor and it ended the conversation. The agreement is helpful in so many ways. Just because it can be canceled at anytime doesn't make it anything less.

@Joe Villeneuve your comment seems to miss what she is asking...If she feels confident that he is who she wants representing her then there's no harm in signing an agreement that can be canceled at anytime. Homeowner's sign a listing contract. Buyer's are asked often to sign a Buyer's Service or Representation Agreement. Asking a realtor to sign an agreement that they will only represent you would be like asking a grocery store to only open for you. 

Better to ask than to wonder later. 

@Kaybreh Mathis All options may work. If you feel the seller is shady and fear who they may hire I would recommenced negotiating the sales price or asking for a credit for your closing costs and hire a roofer yourself. If you knew the roof may have needed work prior to the inspection it may be best to try to negotiate for part or half of the cost.

@Scott Henrikson I would ask for a copy of the full file they have. Since they have cancelled the contract they need to provide all the information. They do have to keep a copy for themselves but it is still something you are allowed to ask.

@Abby Attal if they are in a lease I don't think that you can raise their rent. We authorize additional occupants often. We have them fill out an application, pay the application fee and run them like we did the other tenants. If everything checks out we add the occupant to the property.