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A case relating to real estate representation has reached the California Supreme Court. The outcome may force the real estate industry into the biggest change since the inception of buyer agency. Before the early 1990’s home buyers who worked with a Realtor® or brokerage to find and purchase a home were not represented. The only … [Read more...] about Real Estate Representation on the Verge of Change?

A look at Berks County home sales half way through 2016 and how things are shaping up for the second half. It is hard to believe that we are more than halfway through 2016. It is at this time I like to reflect on how Berks County home sales are progressing and how we compare to other regional markets. The empirical data mixed … [Read more...] about Berks County Home Sales by the Numbers

In the last installment, we took a look at the listing broker’s fee. I will now dive a little deeper into what the listing contract says about the distribution of those commission dollars through broker cooperation. One of the reasons many decide to use a Realtor® to sell their home is to get maximum exposure to as many … [Read more...] about Understanding the Real Estate Listing Contract Part 3 ~ Broker Cooperation

In part 2 of this 5 part series, I will explore the issue of Broker Compensation otherwise known as the Commission. When you list your home it is not the price you get that matters most; it is the “Walk Away” dollars. Before signing a listing contract, it is required of all real estate agents that they supply a closing cost … [Read more...] about Understanding the Real Estate Listing Contract Part 2 ~ Broker Compensation

The real estate Listing Contract is one of the most fundamental documents used by Realtors®. The document is also one of the most misunderstood. In this 5 part series, I hope to shed some light on parts of the contract that have invoked the most questions from customers I have represented over the years. If you have ever listed … [Read more...] about Understanding the Real Estate Listing Contract Part 1 ~ Representation

Price plays the starring role of most home sales while terms and conditions are often considered the supporting cast. In reality, the terms and conditions of a real estate transaction will determine whether your home sale is a hit or not. Every home listed for sale has one major thing in common. It has an asking price. In many … [Read more...] about Terms and Conditions ~ Heart and Soul of a Real Estate Transaction

Low inventory, long stagnated pricing, creative mortgage financing and the hope that property taxes may soon be a thing of the past. The ingredients for a robust Berks County real estate market may be in place. Each week I have the pleasure of speaking to real estate agents in areas of the country outside Berks County. Most … [Read more...] about Is Berks County Real Estate Ready for a Break-Out?

What ingredients are necessary to have a successful real estate transaction? Could it be choosing a Realtor® that has experience, knowledge, and passion? These are all great qualities, but a successful transaction may depend more on your belief and trust. Many times a successful real estate transaction starts out by accurately … [Read more...] about A Successful Real Estate Transaction is all About Partnership