|
white
|
|
|
Each office independently
owned and operated. |
 |
909 Plantation Blvd.
Fairhope, AL 35632
Office: 251-928-0031
Cell: 251-316-4351
Fax: 251-928-0301 |
|
|
|
This
site designed, published and hosted by:
Richard
Stevens
©
2004
2005
2006 2007
ERA
Class.Com was founded on June 15,1998 out of the merger of two long
standing,
successful real estate firms in Baldwin County: Classic Properties
and ERA Commander Realty.
The principals are Randy Davis, President; Frank Malone, Secretary
and Treasurer; Skip Davis
and Bob Malone, Vice-Presidents.January 1, 2008 the
locations in Fairhope, Daphne and Robertsdale, Alabama were
purchased by and currently under the stewardship of Troy Wilson who
adopted the new name for the company now known as ERA Platinum
Properties.
Affiliated with REALOGY, Inc., a CENDANT company, ERA Platinum
Properties is
one of over
2500 ERA offices nationwide. ERA also has offices in over 20
countries world-wide.
We offer brokerage services in all of Baldwin County, Alabama,
Northwest Florida, and
Mississippi. From residential homes, resort homes and condominiums,
acreage and commercial
properties, ERA Platinum Properties is a full service brokerage firm. With
approximately 50 agents specializing in these markets.
Back
Our Commitment: Value added customer service and satisfaction
This
site designed, published and hosted by:
Richard
Stevens
©
2004
2005
2006 2007
2008
|
It is
the one thing that almost everyone does at one point in their lives,
sells their home. This can be a very confusing time, filled with
many questions and few answers. It is hard to understand all of the
questions you may have about selling your home. Fortunately, ERA
Platinum Properties can help.
ERA Platinum Properties can help you with all of the questions you have about
selling your home. ERA Platinum Properties associates have many years of experience in the
real estate industry. We pride ourselves on quality customer
service. Our customers come first and we make selling your home, the
same way. We will make you our first priority.
Let's begin the home selling process so that you can understand how
easy and hassle-free ERA Platinum Properties agents make it for our valued
clients.
Choose a link from the list below, or follow them step–by–step to
learn more:
#1 Preparing to Sell your Home
The first question you might want to ask yourself is, “why do I want
to sell my home?” Do you need more space? Are you an empty nester
looking for a smaller space? Have you accepted a job in a different
part of the country? All of these questions affect the potential
sale of your home and the negotiating process of that sale.
You may also want to begin making a list of all of the interior and
exterior projects that you want to complete before placing your home
on the market.
Contacting a ERA Platinum Properties Real Estate Agent will point you in the
right direction, too. Our agents have the knowledge and
understanding of the industry. They can provide reliable information
and get you moving in the right direction towards the sale of your
home.
#2 So You're Ready to Sell your Home
Assessing your home is key in beginning the home selling process.
You may want to ask yourself, “What would I like to see or not see
if I were touring this home as a potential home buyer?”
Problems like chipped paint, dirty walls, windows and doors,
unfinished remodeling projects and cluttered garages are all areas
for home selling improvement. Treat the sale of your home as you
would with any day living in your residence. Neat, tidy and
organized works!
#3 You're Ready to List
Before you list your home, it is important to do your homework on
the real estate companies in your area.
- Search the Internet for your local real estate companies.
- Review local publications for agent advertisements.
- Call each company to compare commission fees, marketing
campaigns and yearly sales volume.
- Talk to people. 9 times out of 10, someone you know has sold
their home and can point you in the right direction and provide
a credible recommendation.
When choosing a real estate agent, do not be afraid to meet with
many different agents. After all, they are competing for your
business and this is what makes the real estate industry successful.
Feel free to ask them the following questions:
- How many years of experience do you have in this industry?
- What is your selling experience in my community?
- What professional certifications do you hold (ex. Certified
Residential Specialist–CRS)?
- What services will you provide for me as my agent?
- How will you represent my property?
- Can you provide a market analysis for my property?
- How will you determine the price of my home?
- What is the fee for your services?
- Can you provide all of the different scenarios with the sale
of my property? (as far as commissions and fees)
- Explain the paperwork that I need to sign.
- What is the timeframe for listing my property with you?
#4 Determining Property Value
There are a number of factors that go into determining the value of
a home.
- It is realistic to compare the homes in your area and the
asking prices of those homes.
- The law of supply and demand always comes into play. Do you
live in an area with increasing job opportunities or an
increasing supply of homes?
- Owners needs greatly impact the selling price of a home.
Does the owner need a quick sell or do they have time to sit on
their sale?
- The selling price is not cut and dry. On many occasions, the
seller will negotiate the price, split closing costs or offer
different allowances to the buyer, to make the sale of the home
complete.
Only a qualified ERA Platinum Properties agent can provide a fair market
analysis of the homes for sale in your area. A Market Analysis is
usually free and without obligation. For more information on how to
receive a FREE Market Analysis that will help you properly determine
the value of your home, contact ERA Platinum Properties in Fairhope 866.634.2400 or
251.928.0031.
#5 Getting Your Home Out There
There are a number of different ways that an agent can drive traffic
to view your home:
- Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- Open Houses
- Websites/Internet
- Print Advertising
- HOMES™ Magazines
- ERA Platinum Properties Marketing Strategies
#6 Selling Your Home
The Offer
An acceptable offer depends on many different things:
- Is the proposed offer near the asking price?
- The timeframe of the seller – Does the seller have another
house payment? Insurance?
- Does the owner have enough time to wait for the agent to
bring them more potential buyers?
- What if the home is listed and never receives a single
offer?
- What if several offers are received at the same time?
The Counter-Offer
When potential buyers are searching for a home, they can respond in
three different ways to the seller(s):
This home is not what we were looking for. We are not interested in
the property.
We are interested in the home and we will purchase the property
on the buyer's terms per the real estate agreement.
We are interested in the home, but here is our counter–offer for
the property.
Negotiating
This negotiating process can at times seem very complicated.
However, if you are equip with the right ERA Platinum Properties agent, all of
this can be made hassle-free.
During the negotiating process of the sale of a home, the seller can
react in one of three different ways:
- Accept the buyer's proposed offer
- Decline the buyer's offer
- Make a new counter–offer
-
#7 Saying Goodbye To Your Home
The closing process is always changing. It is even referred to
“settlement“ or “escrow” in different parts of the county. With
increased technology, most closings are completely automated and
both parties do not have to be present at the same time to sign.
Closings usually take about 30 days to complete. This mainly depends
on the buyer's financing availability, successful home inspection
completion, and various lender conditions (ex. title search, title
insurance, termite inspections, surveys and appraisals).
The closing process is the transfer of the title of the property
from the buyer to the seller. The buyer will receive the keys to the
home or the deed to the land, while the seller receives payment for
the property. The amount the seller receives is based upon the
amount that is still owed on the mortgage, any outstanding fees or
taxes and any additional closing costs. All legal papers are filed
with the local record office.
It is this step where the buyers and sellers do very little. It is
important as the seller to take a final walk through the property to
make sure the property's condition as not changed. It is equally
important for both the buyer and seller to make sure the paperwork
they are signing reflects the agreement of the original sale.
#8 Surviving the Move
Moving can be one of the most emotional times in your life. The
thrill of something new … new career, a new neighborhood, a new
home. While this may sound great to some people, for others, these
changes can be an emotional rollercoaster.
The key to surviving your move is to first analysis the situation.
You may want to ask yourself this question, “What does my move
entail?” “Will I be moving across the country or just down the
block?” “Could I handle the move myself, provided I have the right
packing materials and friends to help?” Or “Do I need to explore the
option of hiring a professional moving company?”
There are many resources out there. You may want to consult your ERA
Platinum Properties agent for more information.
Back
This
site designed, published and hosted by:
Richard
Stevens
©
2004
2005
2006 2007
2008
|
ERA
Platinum Properties buyers come from near and far. They are your friends with
growing families, that need a bigger home, or your older neighbors
that need to down-size, so there is not so much to take care of.
ERA Platinum Properties buyers move across the county, state and country to
relocate to our beautiful area. Buyers purchase more homes here
because of job changes, city attractions, child rearing, or just to
fulfill their dreams of one day returning to the place they once
called home.
ERA Platinum Properties agents are trained experts in their field. They know
how to steer you in the right direction, with each and every move.
We pride ourselves on quality customer service, first-hand industry
education and more sold homes than the local competition.
Let's begin the home buying process so that you can understand how
easy and hassle-free ERA Platinum Properties agents make it for our valued
customers.
Choose a link from the list below, or follow them step-by step to
learn more:
#1 Getting Ready To Buy
So, you are ready to build the “American Dream?” Preparing to buy a
home can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. Luckily, a ERA
Platinum Properties agent can lead you in the right direction toward the home
for your dreams. You first may want to ask yourself:
- What are you looking for in a new home?
- Do you have enough money to purchase a new home?
- How does your credit look?
You may want to make a list or brainstorm about the features and
amenities that you find most appealing in a new home.
#2 Finding a Realtor
Before you choose a real estate agent, it is important to do your
homework on the real estate companies in your area.
- Search the Internet for your local real estate companies.
- Review local publications for agent advertisements.
- Call each company to compare commission fees, marketing
campaigns and yearly sales volume.
- Talk to people. 9 times out of 10, someone you know has sold
their home and can point you in the right direction and provide
a credible recommendation.
When choosing a real estate agent, do not be afraid to meet with
many different agents. After all, they are competing for your
business and this is what makes the real estate industry successful.
Feel free to ask them the following questions:
- How many years of experience do you have in this industry?
- What is your selling experience in my community?
- What professional certifications do you hold (ex. Certified
Residential Specialist–CRS)?
- What services will you provide for me as my agent?
- How will you represent me as a buyer?
- Can you provide as much information as I need about homes in
the area that fit into my price range?
- What is the fee for your services?
- Can you provide all of the different scenarios with the sale
of property I may purchase? (as far as commissions and fees)
- Explain the paperwork that I need to sign
- What is my contracted timeframe for using you as my agent?
Once you have chosen an agent, it is important to establish specific
goals that you would like to meet. It is very important to
communicate with your real estate agent and that, in turn, your real
estate agent communicates with you.
#3 Starting the Loan Process
It is important as a buyer that you establish some kind of financing
before you make any kind of serious offer. The “pre–approval”
process allows lenders to take a look at your finances and credit
history in order to make a general assumption about your loan
amount.
The pre–approval process is when a lender looks at all of your
finances and determines the amount of money you could afford for a
mortgage.
In order to get pre-approved for a loan, you need to contact a
lender. Your ERA Platinum Properties agent can help you help you find a lender
that you feel comfortable with and that offers programs best suited
to your needs. An excellent way to determine the type of
mortgage, interest rate, payment and amount you are qualified for
call our ERA Mortgage Specialists at 1-888-325-6818.
#4 Starting Your Search
Now, it is time to start the exciting search for homes! You may want
to narrow down your search by asking yourself the following
questions:
- Where do I want to live?
- What is the neighborhood like?
- What is the crime rate?
- Would I be moving into a good school district?
- Are there any zoning restrictions?
- How far is this home from my job?
- What is my price range?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I want?
- What style of house are you attracted to?
- What amenities do you desire (ex. pool, fenced-in yard,
etc.)?
- Does this home have potential to increase in value?
- Is there room to expand if we would like to build an
addition?
Searching for a home is becoming easier than years ago. We now have
the Internet as a powerful “home finding tool”, as well as the MLS
(Multiple Listing Service) and print advertising.
#5 Finding Your New Home
Beginning the search for your new home can be a great feeling. It is
important that you directly communicate what you desire in a home to
your real estate agent.
You may want to first begin by making a list of the features and
benefits that are most important in your pursuit of finding a home.
These could be:
- Location
- Affordability
- Size
- Style
- Design
- Amenities
Looking for a home in an area where you feel comfortable is key.
Instruct your real estate agent to look in specific areas that you
have designated.
#6 Making an Offer on a Home
Selecting a home should be relatively easy once a home falls
somewhere in your criteria and the property is desirable for
purchase.
You will want to inform your real estate agent what you like about
the house and make a list of your likes and dislikes with the
property.
There are three steps in selecting a home: accept the seller's
asking price and have your agent write up the contract, reject the
seller's asking price and have your agent make a different offer, or
agree to different terms and have your agent write an offer. This is
all a part of the negotiation process.
Communicating about the house and how it makes you feel is important
when making this decision. It is also important to be realistic when
it comes to how much you can afford when selecting “your” home.
#7 Financing
Doing you homework about loans will save you time and money. There
are thousands of loans out there to choose from, but it is important
to keep in mind several key factors that will help you along the
way:
- How much money should I put down?
- How is your credit?
- Is this your first home?
Receiving a loan requires completion of a loan application and
specific financial documents, including pay stubs, rental checks
and/or tax returns. You can receive a loan from a number of
different financial institutions, namely: commercial banks, credit
unions, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, savings and loan
associations, mutual savings banks and insurance companies.
#8 Insurance
Insuring your home is like making an investment in your future. You
work hard to have a home and homeowners insurance protects you and
your family from someone or something from taking it all away.
There are many different forms of insurance:
- Title Insurance – which protects you in the event that the
title on your property has a lien, unpaid taxes, or other
legalities that would make it invalid.
- Homeowners' Insurance – which protects your home from fire,
theft and other liable coverage.
- Flood Insurance – which protects your home from flood
damage.
- Home Warranty – which offers buyers and sellers the piece of
mind that should anything unexpected happen (due to normal,
every day wear and tear) of the home's appliances, heating, air
conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems, it will be
repaired (or replaced in some cases) for you without costly
fees.
#9 Closing Procedures
The closing process is always changing. It is even referred to
“settlement” or “escrow” in different parts of the county. With
increased technology, most closings are completely automated and
both parties do not have to be present at the same time to sign.
Closings usually take about 30 days to complete. This mainly depends
on the buyer's financing availability, successful home inspection
completion, and various lender conditions (ex. title search, title
insurance, termite inspections, surveys and appraisals).
The closing process is the transfer of the title of the property
from the buyer to the seller. The buyer will receive the keys to the
home or the deed to the land, while the seller receives payment for
the property. The amount the seller receives is based upon the
amount that is still owed on the mortgage, any outstanding fees or
taxes and any additional closing costs. All legal papers are filed
with the local record office.
It is this step where the buyers and sellers do very little. It is
important as the seller to take a final walk through the property to
make sure the property's condition as not changed. It is equally
important for both the buyer and seller to make sure the paperwork
they are signing reflects the agreement of the original sale.
#10 Settling In
You have unpacked boxes, arranged your furniture and feel complete
with your moving task. What's next? There is always an adjustment
period when you move. It is important to understand that what you,
your spouse and/or children may be feeling is completely normal.
Here is a list of a few things that may help:
- Urge everyone to talk about how they are feeling.
- It is important to get outside and tour the neighborhood or
take a drive and visit some new places around the community.
- E-mail old friends and neighbors to let them know about your
new home and community.
- Start a list about what they like about:
- Home
- School
- Neighborhood
- Community
- Church
- Friends
- Teachers
Back
This
site designed, published and hosted by:
Richard
Stevens
©
2004
2005
2006 2007
2008
|
ERA
Class.Com has a close relationship with
ERA Mortgage a brand within PHH mortgages services, one of the
largest mortgage companies in the United States. We also have our
own ERA Mortgage Advisor from PHH who works locally with each of our
offices and does one on one and group training in mortgage financial
services.
In 2005, PHH helped homebuyers get into more than 230,000 homes
nationwide and maintained a servicing portfolio of $146 billion. In
fact PHH is one of the top ten originators of retail residential
mortgages in the United States.
Because of our ERA Mortgage Advisor we can have close personal
attention and follow-up with any mortgage transaction. Additionally,
ERA Mortgage makes it easy for our customers and clients to
obtain preliminary loan approvals in just minutes by calling ERA
Mortgage at 1-888-325-6818. A customer or client can call for a loan
determination six days a week. Monday - Friday 7:30am - 9:00pm (CST)
& Saturdays 9:30am - 6:00pm. This call is a confidential, no
obligation call in which the consumer can find out that day if he
qualifies for a loan and for how much he is qualified.
ERA Mortgage offers conventional financing, VA / FHA financing,
construction to permanent loan packages, second home / resort
financing as well as low documentation loans for investors.
ERA Mortgage strives to offer the best rates with the best
service closing loans in the shortest period of time.
Back
|
This
site designed, published and hosted by:
Richard
Stevens
©
2004
2005
2006 2007
|
