Understanding Caveat Emptor

This is a topic I try to talk about in every class I teach because it is the most important and the least understood law. I intentionally try to scare real estate agents to get them to understand the importance of the law and the effects it has on people buying real estate in Alabama. Today I will tell you …

Selecting A Farm Area

I am referring to a territory that a sales person will work within the boundary. This is considered their farm. Let’s narrow the field and focus on real estate sales. Farming is an older and more complete term for prospecting for new clients to work with. A few years ago the term “Prospecting” was replaced with the term “Lead Generating.” …

Internet is Hurting the Buying Public

I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with my topic statement. Hopefully you’ll take time to read it and then I think you’ll agree with me; at least in part. According to the National Association of Realtors most recent studies, close to 95% of real estate buyers search the Internet to find property for sale. In some cases, by …

Caveat Emptor….An Actual Case

I have spent a great deal of time teaching and lecturing regarding Alabama being a Caveat Emptor state. Buying real estate in Alabama is different from most all other states. It is not a law that should be feared but respected. Caveat Emptor should be embraced because it gives advance notice to buyers what they must do to provide future …

What Consumer’s Need To Know

This information is specific to what consumer’s need to know when buying or selling real estate in Alabama. Even more specifically, what consumers need to know when working with a real estate broker? Especially since Alabama is a Caveat Emptor state which places total responsibility on the buyer to do their due diligence in inspecting every aspect involved with a …

My Agent Didn’t Tell Me—What Can I Do?

I was asked by a reader to elaborate on a personal situation that exists in the purchase of a home.  This is what she wrote; “Hi! I was wondering about a situation that I have going on with the company that sold us our home. I am having a hard time buying insurance because my roof has not been replaced …

What Buyer’s Want and Need to Know

It seems I’ve opened a can of worms already talking about the dangers a buyer of real estate in Alabama faces. You might want to review some of my previous blogs such as “Meaningful Conversations for Alabama Realtors,” or “Establishing Relationships,” or “Just Tell it like it is.”  In all these blogs I explained the importance of disclosing the fact …

Meaningful Conversation for Alabama Realtors

2012 is license renewal year for Realtors® in Alabama and each agent must complete 15 hours of Continuing Education which is required by the Alabama Real Estate Commission. I have been holding CE classes all across the state and have noticed so many agents experiencing difficulties with the delicate balance between our RECAD requirements and having a meaningful conversation when …

“Caveat Emptor” Buyer Beware

If you understand the title of this blog, chances are you are in a real estate related business. When buying real estate in Alabama the words “Caveat Emptor” is of utmost importance.  Let’s take a look at the meaning of the term and how it affects Alabama real estate buyers. Caveat emptor (ˌkæviːɑːt ˈɛmptɔr) is Latin for “Let the buyer …

Classroom vs. Online Comparison

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t get a phone call or an email concerning some type of Prelicense class. Alabama License Law requires anyone desiring to get license to sell real estate in Alabama, must take a 60-hour Sales Prelicense course. This course can be taken in a typical classroom setting or it may be taken via the …