Category Archives: Real Estate

Responsibilities of a Title Company

When buying a home, a common term that will come up is “title”. Although it’s a common term, do you really know what it means or what a title company does for you and the home seller? Let’s take a look at what to expect from a title company during your home buying process.

What is a title company?

The role of title company spans across a couple different spaces in real estate, but it’s main priority is to verify the title to the property or real estate given to the home buyer is legitimate. To put it simply- the make sure all the bases are covered and the seller has a right to sell the property.

Once the verification is complete, the company will guarantee the property title with title insurance. This insurance protects the owner in the event that someone or multiple people come along and claim ownership.

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Top 5 Ways to Convert Millennial Renters Into Home Buyers

For first-time millennial home buyers, student debt, unemployment and rising home prices continue to pose formidable challenges, but, fortunately, we have agent-curated strategies — 2020-tested and approved in several hot markets — that can help turn renters into buyers for you.

1. Help Renters Think in Future Tense

Coaching clients to downsize their rent as a means of saving for the down payment, and supporting them rental-to-rental as they make their journey to a new home, might help to nurture the relationship early at the rental stage, says Ken Laroza, director of broker relations for Zillow. He advises agents look at the relationship through a five-year lens, which promises to pay off in high business volume.

Regardless of whether a millennial renter buys from you or not, chances are good that they’ll refer you if you deliver the best experience possible, says Laroza. “Millennials tend to be really loyal to those who treat them well.”

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Realty Executives Elite Renews Brand Partnership

Realty Executives Elite, of Menomonee Falls and Hales Corners, WI, is proud to announce a five year renewal with the Realty Executives brand. 

Opening in 2005, this renewal marks over 15 years with the international real estate franchisor for the Midwest brokerage. Realty Executives Elite has continued to grow and succeed in their local market, with over 30 agents serving various eastern Wisconsin communities.

Broker/Owner Billy Prom is proud of his group of ultra-professional Executives, fueled by extensive listing experience and unrivaled knowledge of the local market. He recruits only the best-in-class realtors, with the ability to close transactions quickly and efficiently, while still connecting with the client on a personal level. Prom believes his efforts in the next five years will enhance and expand market share and service to clients.

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Finding a Great Home Builder

Many first-time home buyers or experienced homeowners decide that buying a lot and building their home is the best option for them. Custom building allows for you to design and personalize a space all your own, in a specific budget and timeframe. On the other hand, there is also a lot more work and ongoing decisions that the home construction process requires, with a main one being who is going to build it! Here’s a guide to help you find the best contractor for you.

Make a List

The first step when looking for any professional in your area is to look up your options! With one simple online search you can find tons of potential builders with their websites and contact information. But the internet isn’t always most reliable source, so it may be best to find some potential builders through fellow professionals. Your local real estate agent is a great resource for anything home related, including builders. Another option is contacting your local home builder’s association and asking for a list of members. Lastly, ask friends and family! They might have used a builder or know of someone else who has used one and had a great experience.

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Realty Executives Associates Celebrates Over 40 Years

Realty Executives Associates, of Knoxville, TN, is proud to celebrate over 40 years of service and growth in 2021. Throughout the decades, Realty Executives Associates has solidified itself as the #1 brokerage of East Tennessee, through its dedication to global resources mixed with a local approach.

Founded in 1977 by R. Vance Burkey, the brokerage brought the Realty Executives industry’s original 100 percent commission model to Knoxville and has now grown to over 700 agents, 13 offices and over 50 employees. Burkey founded the company on the basis of putting agents and their clients first, innovating and cultivating a culture that prides itself on community and providing an unparalleled level of support to not only its agents, but clients as well.

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Well-Known Padre Island Draws in Home Buyers with Hidden Gem North Island

North Padre Island isn’t the typical beach scene of cheesy shops and tourist-filled walkways. Offering miles and miles of undeveloped beach and wilderness, this coastal land is perfect for those looking for an oasis to call home.

With its mix of sea, sand and entertainment, North Padre touts various recreational, cultural and lifelong hobbies and activities not often seen in big cities. Recognized as the longest stretch of undeveloped beach in the world, this Texas gem is much more than spring-breakers and party scenes. 

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Top Five Binge-Worthy Real Estate Shows

Are you a reality TV junkie with a love for real estate? There are so many shows, whether through streaming giants or cable networks, that give you a behind the scene look into the world of real estate, home design and cut-throat business.Check out our list of the top five most binge-worthy real estate shows! 

Selling Sunset

If you follow pop culture at all, you’ve probably heard of Selling Sunset. This Netflix original has become a phenomenon after only three seasons of airing and a fourth on the way. This show follows the fashionable and successful real estate agents and brokers of the Oppenheim Group, an LA-based brokerage, catering to exclusive and luxury clientele. The show not only gives you a glimpse into the world of high-end California real estate, but also provides plenty of drama between fellow agents in and out of the office. Nominated for Critics Choice award and mentioned by several media outlets, this show is a must-watch.

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Common Real Estate Terms and What They Mean

Buying or selling a home is an exciting journey. But with so many different things to research and decide, it may be overwhelming. Especially when you aren’t familiar with terms commonly used during real estate procedures. Our experts are here to help! Let’s go through some of the most common real estate terms and what each one means for you.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

This phrase is mostly used for home buyers who are calculating their loan amount. Your APR is the amount of interest charged every year on the loan.

Contingency

This is one of the most used words in a real estate contract or by a real estate agent. A contingency refers to certain events that must take place in order for the contract, between buyer and seller, to not be nullified or voided. For example, a buyer’s contingency may state that the seller must replace the water heater before sale is final. If the seller chooses not to meet this requirement, the buyer may pull out of the sale.

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Best States to Start a Real Estate Business in Right Now

Is 2021 going to be the year you start your real estate business? Perhaps you’re ready to build your business, but you’re not sure about which state is the best place to start. Real estate is one of the best investments you can make, but you must invest your money in the right place. Here are the best states for starting a real estate business in 2021.

Florida

Florida is a great location to start your real estate business. The tax-friendly sunshine state continues to grow in popularity. Florida’s diverse population attracts people from all walks of life. Young independent singles are moving to the state to escape the big city lifestyles in LA and New York. Whilst families are moving for the warm weather and friendly atmosphere. Whatever the reason, people are setting up roots in Florida, and you can capitalize off of this. 

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Tips for Moving During Winter

Often considered the most magical time of the year, winter can be a tough season for any kind of obligation. Relocating can get messy on any regular day, let alone during a snowstorm or cold day. Luckily, we have some tips to tackle some difficulties of moving during winter.

Watch the weather

If you’re relocating during winter, it’s important to watch the weather forecast. Although weather can change quickly and unexpectedly, you can try to monitor as best you can and plan to move on a day that is reporting a high percentage of no snow or ice.

Prepare the gear for moving during winter.

You can minimize all the risks by preparing the necessary gear. This mostly applies to the transportation vehicle for you and your belongings. Some things you may need are:

  • Tire chains
  • Aid kit
  • Shovel for snow
  • Tow rope
  • Resilient window wipers
  • Warm clothes and blankets
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