Georgia Home Buyer's Agent Rebate

As a savvy home buyer, are you researching the benefits of home buyer rebates in Georgia, GA? If so, then you are being diligent with the details of your home purchase. By capturing a home buyer rebate, you are maximizing your Georgia home purchase; however, don't stop there. You need to evaluate the competence of the Georgia buyer's agent who will offer this home buyers rebate to you; not all agents are equal.

1. Is the agent a true buyer's agent? Or alternatively, does he/she regularly work with sellers too?
2. With regard to negotiations with the seller and/or builder, is the buyer's agent focused on getting you a lower price and better terms than what is being offered?
3. Will the buyer's agent stand up for you on the multiple issues that generally arise during a purchase? Or, is this merely a means to attract new business that requires minimal effort on part of the agent? Is this a quick transaction that could leave the home buyer vulnerable without guidance from a true buyer's agent? Learn more about buyer's problems with mortgage lenders.
   
4. Is the agent a Realtor® too? One can be a licensed Georgia agent without being a Realtor®. A Realtor® is held to a certain code of ethics.
5. Per Georgia licensure, is the agent a salesperson? Or, an Associate Broker and/or Broker?
6. How much experience does the buyer's agent have with your type of transaction? This could be continuing education and/or real world experience.
7. Does the buyer's agent have public testimonials?

Get more information about a buyer agent for a resale home or a buyer agent for a new home

These are important questions, among other things, to ponder for anyone who seeks a home buyer rebate in Georgia GA. While getting a rebate of commission is very savvy, don't focus entirely on the rebate amount; there is potentially thousands extra to be saved in different aspects of the transaction that would be otherwise overlooked if your buyer's agent isn't versed on promoting 100% of your interests for all stages of the transaction.

The normal *rebate schedule that I offer for full service, from contract negotiations to closing, is as follows:

• 1%: $0 - $399,999
• 1.5%: $400,000 - $599,999
• 2%: Over $600,000

* Conditions apply. Click here for my buyers agent testimonials of home buyers' cash back rebates in Georgia

* I serve as a buyer's agent and offer rebates of commission to home buyers in the Greater Atlanta area: Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Auburn, Austell, Buford, Canton, College Park, Conyers, Covington, Cumming, Dacula, Dallas, Douglasville, Duluth, Dunwoody, Ellenwood, Fairburn, Fayetteville, Flowery Branch, Grayson, Hampton, Hiram, Holly Springs, Hoschton, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Lithia Springs, Lithonia, Locust Grove, Lovejoy, Mableton, Madison, Marietta, Mcdonough, Monroe, Newnan, Norcross, Peachtree City, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Snellville, Stockbridge, Stone Mountain, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Tucker, Tyrone, Union City, Villa Rica, Vinings, Woodstock, Georgia, GA 

Cobb County, Forsyth County, Cherokee County, Paulding County, Fulton County (North - South), Douglas, Clayton, Henry, Coweta, Fayette, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Bartow, Jackson, Walton, Hall, Newton, Rockdale, GA, Georgia.

* There may be limitations on some of these areas for resale homes. Call me to inquire. The blue pins represent rebates for new, resale and foreclosed homes; the red pins represent rebates for new or foreclosed new homes only.

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Home Buyer Rebates Georgia, GA

With the rise in gas prices, it made me ponder the housing needs for people in Atlanta. Will the high cost of gas force more people to move intown ? While traffic alone is enough to make some buyers who work downtown to consider intown Atlanta living, I ultimately think gas prices will really push more people to look at condos, lofts & townhomes in Atlanta. It is simply a matter of being practical.

Not too long ago, I assisted, as the buyers agent, an intown Atlanta home buyer to purchase a new townhome. To the purchaser’s reluctance, I prompted him to get a home inspection; this turned out to be a good move. There were a few things that needed attention from the home builder; but, I want to discuss one in particular: the roof. At the tip of the roof, there was a ridge vent that allowed hot air to escape; this is a good thing. However, within the vent, the air flow was restricted because the roofers failed to cut the felt paper back to allow the air to escape. Had this not been corrected, the home buyer could have incurred higher energy costs because of the build up of excessive heat in the attic. Not only that, but trapped heat in the attic can warp the roof-decking.


View Intown Atlanta new homes in a larger map

Some times, home buyers of new condos, lofts and townhomes in Atlanta don’t think it is necessary to get a home inspection, but this is just one example of how it can mitigate problems during ownership.

Atlanta Condos, Lofts & Townhomes 

Stephen Graham, Realtor®
Associate Broker - Buyers Agent
Realty Professionals, Inc (770) 491 1494
Disclaimer: Information is believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed. This content is intended to be the opinion of the author only. Therefore, you may not use, copy or redistribute any of this information or content without the expressed approval from the author.

Home buyers in Atlanta are looking to make the buying process more affordable. While negotiating the best deal with the seller for the home is one aspect, there is also a home buyers rebate in Atlanta to be obtained through proper negotiations. The home buyers rebate would be in addition to the price and terms negotiated with the seller.

If you have searched for your home on your own, then your agent (buyer's agent) may be willing to rebate a portion of the commission to you. This home buyers rebate in Atlanta can equate to thousands of dollars to the home buyer that they would not usually receive. This buyer's rebate can help offset closing costs, buy down your interest for the entire 30 years and/or pay for moving expenses. Consult with your lender to see how this rebate can be used in connection with your loan program.

Before you start visiting homes, make sure you have the facts about a home buyer's rebate in Atlanta that saves a home buyer substantially. Click here for a rebate on a new home or click here for a rebate on a resale home.

According to a recent article, Alpharetta, Georgia (GA) is the best place to buy a home these days. The average home price is $359,950. Alpharetta is located primarily in North Fulton county with a small section in South Forsyth county; taxes are lower in Forsyth. To assist with a home buyer's navigation, here is a map.

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Do you want a new home? Search Alpharetta Georgia New Subdivisions, New Houses and New Townhomes. There are extra home buyer savings available too; these savings can be very substantial.

You can search Alpharetta GA resale homes as well. Here are Alpharetta homes for sale in Forsyth Co and a sample of just some of the Alpharetta homes for sale in N. Fulton County. For a more thorough search based on your criteria, feel free to contact me, as I am a buyer agent in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Opportunities may be looking pretty good for first time home buyers in Georgia. When conservative financial gurus are suggesting that opportunities are ripe, then even the most skeptical should take notice. It is easy to look past real estate professionals who have motives to suggest that now is a good time to buy; but, when a financial guru suggests it, it is certainly worth taking note. Many buyers are sitting on the sidelines hoping to catch the bottom of this trough. Regrettably, many may miss out because no one can catch the absolute bottom of any market, including real estate.

Update: First time home buyers may be eligible for the $8,000 tax credit during 2009. Generally speaking, a qualified first time home buyer would receive a direct credit when filing their annual tax return. Learn more about this $8,000 tax credit.

 

Stephen Graham, Realtor®
Associate Broker - Buyers Agent - (770) 605.6261
Realty Professionals, Inc. (770) 491.1494
Atlanta, GA 

The Intown Atlanta New Homes website is your source for All New Atlanta Developments, Communities, Townhomes, Lofts & Condos. This is one of Atlanta`s most comprehensive new city homes web site where you can find all Intown Atlanta New Homes & Developments and earn an extra 1% to 2% cash back incentive - buyer's rebate.

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While searching for intown Atlanta new homes is made easier, home buyers should obtain negotiating tips and advice before making a purchase.

RESPA to roll out a new HUD-1 form. In an attempt to simplify the mortgage process for home buyers, HUD/RESPA has proposed a new HUD-1. In addition, a new standardized GFE(Good Faith Estimate) will be implemented too. All yield spread premiums (YSP's) will be required to be disclosed on the new GFE. The combination of these new disclosures will save mortgage shoppers approximately an average of $668 at the closing table -- an estimated $8.35 billion a year. These savings will most likely come right out of the pockets of loan originators.

These changes by HUD would also create an addendum to the revised HUD-1; prepared scripts are to be read at closing that compare the GFE to the HUD-1. This process would advise borrowers whether changes in promised closing costs (settlement fees) have stayed within HUD's allowable limits -- and verifying that loan terms on the GFE match loan documents such as the mortgage note.

1. What is a Buyer's Agent? Aside from showing buyers the homes listed for sale in the local listing service(s), new homes and possibly For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes in Georgia, a buyer's agent is an unbiased and independent licensed GA real estate agent who is focused on promoting the buyer's interests; this may include seeking out a lower price and better terms on the buyer's behalf.

2. What is a seller's agent (listing agent)? Generally speaking, this is a real estate agent in Georgia who has entered into a contractual agreement to sell the seller's home (for a commission) and to promote the best interest of the home seller; this usually entails getting the highest possible price and best terms on behalf of the seller. The agent with the "For Sale" sign in the front yard is the seller's agent and represents the seller in GA; it is important for a home buyer to be aware of this fact.

3. How are seller's agents & buyer agents compensated? On paper, and generally speaking, they are compensated by the predetermined commission or fee paid by the seller upon closing. Regardless of the negotiated price and terms of the transaction, the home that you are buying -- if it is listed by an agent -- has a predetermined commission, or fee, built into it; you could call it a marketing fee. Generally, the funds from this marketing fee are distributed to the seller's agent and to the buyer's agent at closing in GA. If you have opted out of buyer agency representation, then 100% of the commission is rendered to the seller's agent; or, depending on the terms of the listing agreement, the seller and/or builder retains the overage. Therefore, since this commission is built into the listed home that you are buying, shouldn't you have your own buyer's agent who is looking out for you?

4. Does this apply to Foreclosures (bank owned properties)? Yes. The banks hire agents to list and sell their foreclosed homes through the listing system(s) by means of the same process. In this case, the bank is the seller and the listing agent represents the bank.

5. What if I don't have my own buyer's agent? Generally, if you elect not to have a buyers agent represent you in Georgia, then you will possibly rely upon the seller's agent for every issue that will inevitably arise during the entire course of the transaction. Can you see the conflict of interest in that case? You are left to fend for yourself; and, depending upon the listing agreement with the seller, the listing agent retains the entire commission. While the buyer doesn't directly pay for the sales commission, they do bear a burden for the commission indirectly through the sales price. If you have handled much of the legwork when searching for a home, you may consider a buyer broker's commission rebate, which is a means to reduce your buyer agent's commission directly to you, the buyer; these are monies that can be credited to you at closing for your use, or issued after closing in the form of a check.

Note: If you have opted out of a buyer agency service in GA, it may be wise to hire your own buyer's attorney in that case. For clarification, the closing attorney in Georgia often times only represents the lender in the transaction, not the buyer. With the mortgage fiasco that has taken place, independent consultation may be a good idea.

6. Do I really need a buyer broker (agent)? Instead of giving my opinion about a buyer's agent, I will refer you to what HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) in Washington DC has written on the matter. Here is more information for first-time home buyers regarding this issue.

Lastly and probably most importantly, not all Georgia buyers' agents are equal. You should research and interview your buyer's agent in GA. You want a buyer's agent who will go to bat for you -- even against your mortgage lender when applicable; this may include checking for oversight or inaccuracies of the HUD-1 settlement statement. Contact me and I will give you a no-obligation over-the-phone consultation about my buyer agent service. Click here to learn about a discount buyer agent for resale homes; you can also read about my buyer's agent testimonials over the years.

* conditions apply, and this is only a general overview; each real estate transaction is unique and may differ in nature.

A commission rebate in Georgia is a very effective approach to lower the cost of a real estate transaction for the home buyer in GA. Depending on the buyer's lender-requirements and the type of loan program (Conventional, FHA, VA), a commission rebate in Georgia can be applied toward closing costs, an interest rate buy-down or in the form of a rebate check after closing. A rebate of commission can potentially put thousands of dollars back into the hands of the home buyer -- monies that he/she would not ordinarily receive. Typically, other parties to the real estate transaction would retain these funds; however, with a commission rebate in place, the Georgia home buyer saves at closing.

Once the importance of a commission rebate in GA has been established, then a home buyer needs to address the qualifications of the buyer's agent that will provide the commission rebate. It would not be wise to merely select an agent based on a certain rebate amount, but rather a combination of the service to be provided as well as a home buyer's rebate of commission. A good buyers agent in Georgia will go to bat for the home buyer that potentially saves the home buyer thousands extra through strong negotiations in all aspects of the transaction; one can be "penny wise, pound foolish" when selecting an agent solely on the amount of the commission rebate. What's most invaluable is when a buyer's agent will contend on your behalf for the numerous issues that usually arise during a real estate transaction.

Before looking at any homes in Georgia, consult with a real estate buyer's agent that will offer the buyer a money-saving commission rebate. Click here for a buyer's agent rebate for a new home or click here for a buyers agent rebate for a resale home.

Stephen Graham, REALTOR
Associate Broker - Buyers Agent - (770) 605.6261
Realty Professionals, Inc. (770) 491.1494
Atlanta, GA 

Commission Rebate - Georgia (GA)

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are getting tough. They will only purchase loans from banks that use independent appraisers. To me, it's long overdue. Our industry has been built on a "who knows who" platform and that can lead to the problems that have been manifested with inflated appraisals. Appraisers felt compelled to please mortgage brokers & bankers in order to keep the referral of business flowing; those appraisers who brought in the value needed to support loans values were continually given referrals. However, appraisers who would not partake in unjustified appraisals were not given any business. It's time for the good guys to reap the benefits now.