Sales signs in your area can help point you to a real estate agent
By EDITH LANK
CREATORS.COM
Q: How does someone find a good real estate agent to sell a home and find a new one? There are so many firms with so many agents, how do you find one that would be just right for your needs? — G. S.
A: Concentrate on agents who seem active in your current location and/or the area you’re thinking of moving to. Visit open houses, which is a good way to size up the salespersons on duty there. If any of your friends have moved recently, ask whether they have recommendations.
Also, when my husband’s cousin died in Montreal, we drove up there having only one weekend to dispose of a vacant house. We drove around the neighborhood, took down phone numbers from “for sale” signs and called five agents to say we had property to put on the market immediately. Three brokers came over that afternoon. The first two gave us routine sales talks, how great they were, how many houses they’d sold etc. Only the third one, though, listened carefully enough to pick up on it when Norm said he himself was a Realtor. That agent said, “If you’re only here for the weekend, is there anything I can do for you next week? I could contact the post office Monday morning. ... Did you cancel your cousin’s TV cable subscription? ... I have someone who could wash these cloudy windows. ... ”
We put the house in his hands and he turned out to be the agent from heaven.
Daughter CAn Continue Mortgage
Q: I have been told I have cancer and would like to know whether there is a document that can be used to add my only child to my condominium so she doesn’t have to go through probate. I have a small balance on my mortgage and she would continue making payments. — A. D.
A: Whether she became co-owner now or simply inherits the property, she’d still be allowed to continue with your mortgage. Adding her name to the title is simple. It may or may not be a good idea, though. Probate might not be any problem for her but potential capital gains might cause issues. A lawyer can advise what’s best for you, and eventually for her and take care of any necessary documents.
Good luck with the cancer — many people are walking around who have beat it.
Grandpa is Still There in name at least
Q: My folks want to sell their house. The catch is that grandpa’s name is still on the house, too. What is the best route to have his name removed or does it even need to be removed? He died more than 15 years ago. — J.
A: I can’t know what paperwork was filed when Grandpa died, but the public records will usually show what happened to ownership of the property. Before the sale closes, someone will be searching those records. In the unlikely event a problem turns up, it can be cleared up then.
Edith Lank will respond personally to any question sent to www.askedith.com.
