All Forum Posts by: Sonya Stovall

When I can remember to turn it on(there is an automatic turn on) I use the Track my Drive App and I like it.

@Fred Stevenson so sorry to hear that this is happening to you.  Absolutely retain legal counsel and follow their explicit advice to get them evicted.  This scenario is happening all over the country with homes that have been marketed  as vacant and available for immediate possession .  In some cases, unscrupulous agents have been the ones to let the new tenants into the homes.  I wish you the best in this long process.

Listen to @Russell Brazil, the key is you are dealing with an agent in MD.  Many are not aware of the recent agency law changes and he is protecting your interest by having you sign the agreement, otherwise as Russell states, he will be representing the SELLER.  The length of time for the agreement is negotiable.  Suggest a shorter time frame that is comfortable to you.  I also agree, the broker's fee is probably an ADMIN fee which is common; some agents don't pass this on to their customers.

@Rene Alvarez the other agent is too late to the game.  If you have already put in the offer and I'm sure part of that paperwork included agency disclosures and what your relationship is with that buyer, it is too late.  It appears, the other agent is trying to get a referral fee after you have made the offer, which is also too late. Referral fees and paperwork and discussed upfront and agreed upon between brokers. Discuss the issues with your broker and they will advise you.

Your subject says breaking lease, did they actually sign a lease that is not month to month?  If so, I would keep the July rent, and charge them any future rents until your unit is officially leased. I had something similar happen and that is what I did.  Since there was no damage to the unit I did return the security deposit after the new tenant was in the unit.  They had to pay me for two month.  A lease is a contract, by which they are bound.

@Kyle 

@Kyle Godbout I had the same issue when I was in MS.  My broker advised me to make sure I put it in my applications and to also disclose at first encounter that I was a licensed agent.  Check with your broker, but that was  what I did.  Gook Luck.  

@Sarah Grise yes you can hold both licensees. I do as well. You have to follow USPAP when it comes to disclosure and ethics with appraisal practice. That means, you can only wear one hat during a given transaction, and most importantly when others know you have your appraisal license and then ask you about their homes value or price and you offer advice, you might in fact just have given them an oral appraisal and you would need to follow USPAP as it relates to record keeping for that assignment.

The bigger questions is why would you want to take all of those classes for appraisal (very expensive) and then study for that test (not easy) to do a BPO?  Why not practice appraisal and get more money for a somewhat similar assignment.

I strongly say, that if that is the only reason you want to get your license, it is not worth it.  You will spend far too much time (about 2-3 years) and money that you will immediately be at a lost and if your trying to go after the BPO market which is probably an appraisal in PA since they are requiring an appraisal to do the assignment.

@Jerome Harrod II Hi, I'm by no means a specialists in this area but I have tried to help some in the DC area and I will tell you that when you say creative/flexible those words generally do not connect with the Section 8 program.  Depending on what creative needs they have, their may not be any solutions that are allowed.  Good luck!

@Chris S. I would suggest that your current Realtor work with a Commercial Realtor on your new ventures.  Sometimes you don't know what you don't know.  Having sold Residential and appraised Commercial Properties, generally Residential Agents do not understand Commercial, even when they think they do.  The analysis, funding. contracts are all different.  To put your needs first, even if I am a great Residential Agent, my first Commercial deal should be done with the help of someone who does it all day long to make sure my clients interests are addressed.

@Account Closed Congratulations.  The brokers will start courting you now.  It may not be the office you want, but you will start to get a ton of email and phone calls from them.