G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ®
Transcription
G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ®
G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ® Keller Williams Alabama Gulf Coast 4725 Main Street, F228, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561 22502 US Highway 98, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 (251) 271-0016 BUSINESS (251) 525-1792 CELLULAR (251) 923-3165 FAX [email protected] www.williamwilburn.REALTOR G. William (“Will”) Wilburn Allow me to provide you with the highest level of professional service. Allow me to utilize my deep understanding of real estate fundamentals and mortgage underwriting to help you accomplish your real estate goals. Whether buying, selling, or investing, whether the market is up, down, or sideways, I have the knowledge and resources to assist you. I grew up in Dothan, Alabama before moving off to college where I graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s of Science in Commerce and Business Administration, concentration in Financial Management. The first ten years of my career were shaped in the mortgage banking divisions of various financial services entities including Fortune 500 companies such as JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and SunTrust Bank, N.A., where I participated in the financing of approximately $800 million of commercial real estate. During the past eight years, in addition to buying, selling, and managing residential properties, I have used my professional real estate valuation and mortgage underwriting skills to help people like you, and families like yours, navigate a range of real estate related concerns. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, crabbing/fishing, fixing up old houses, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. Trustworthy – Knowledgeable – Dependable G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ® PO Box 462 Fairhope, Alabama 36533 251.525.1792 (c) [email protected] www.williamwilburn.REALTOR PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Goal oriented and results driven Commercial Real Estate Professional with Fortune 500 Company credit lending experience. Proven ability to meet deadlines and deliver bottom line results. Demonstrated analytical and relationship management skills. Thrives in a fast-paced and changing work environment. EXPERIENCE KELLER WILLIAMS ALABAMA GULF COAST – Baldwin County, Alabama 2015 - Present 2015 - 2015 COLDWELL BANKER REEHL PROPERTIES, INC – Fairhope, AL 2012 - 2015 COLDWELL BANKER ALFRED SALIBA REALTY, INC – Dothan, AL REALTOR® – Real Estate Service Provider Provided assistance, guidance, and advice to first-time and experienced Buyers, Sellers, and Investors of Commercial and SingleFamily Residential Real Estate. Closed first real estate sale transaction in first month as a full-time REALTOR®. Within first 18 months became most recommended Realtor® on Trulia for the Dothan area with 100% five-star customer satisfaction, and feedback. Experienced in excess of 210% revenue growth in second year as a full-time REALTOR® versus year one. Featured twice on Dothan’s 5’oclock news discussing the local real estate market and trends, and what it meant to residents. Wrote real estate related articles for Inside Dothan, a monthly newsletter publication focusing on local community and events. 2008 - Present SUNSHINE ADVISORY GROUP, INC – Atlanta, GA Independent Consultant/Contractor – Co-founder Co-founded Georgia S-Corporation with a licensed Georgia CPA and REALTOR® with the mission of acquiring, renovating, and leasing single-family homes for occupancy by low-income Georgians. Coordinated and oversaw the acquisition and renovation of single family residential homes in Alabama and Georgia. Negotiated Purchase and Sale contracts with Buyers and Sellers, and Construction and Renovation contracts with various General Contractors, Sub-contractors, and governmental entities. Operated and managed single-family residential units in Georgia and Alabama maintaining 100% occupancy and projected monthly cash flow. Reviewed appraisals, settlement statements, title reports, notes, mortgages, and surveys. Performed credit, background, employment, and tenancy checks on potential homebuyers and tenants. Served as a sub-contractor for Tall Pine Services in the $100K renovation of a quadraplex in SW Atlanta. 2010 - 2013 AGENCY ADVISORS, INC – Greenville, SC Assistant Vice President – Senior Underwriter Provided commercial real estate loan underwriting and analytical services to various clients including Deutsche Bank, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, CB Richard Ellis, Berkshire Property Advisors, Centerline Capital Group, CWCapital, Enterprise Community Partners, and Beech Street Capital on Fannie Mae conventional, small loan, FHA, Low Income House Tax Credit, and Freddie Mac mortgage loan products. Underwrote 57 agency real estate loans on properties located in 23 states comprising 8,028 units and 31,000 square feet with loan amounts totaling approximately $342.8M. Conducted property site inspections in order to verify borrower and broker provided information, assess potential risk, and evaluate market competitiveness of properties being considered for lending. Provided oversight to in-house junior underwriters and analysts on underwriting transactions and projects. Performed quality assurance reviews on existing commercial real estate loans for Deutsche Bank providing guidance to aid in the decisionmaking process to fund loans for various lenders. Conducted quality assurance reviews of in-house asset management quarterly and annual monitoring reports on an asset management portfolio of approximately 1,300 loans for Deutsche Bank. Performed pre-screen and NOI sizing analysis for various clients in order to assess potential transaction viability and pricing options. Led training classes and created training materials to aid in the development of analysts. THE STONEHILL GROUP, INC / FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF ATLANTA – Atlanta, GA 2009 - 2010 Collateral Review Auditor / Contractor Worked with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLBank Atlanta”) as a Collateral Review Auditor providing mortgage loan audit services. Traveled with the FHLBank Atlanta to member banks in the southeastern territory reviewing pledged collateral which included residential, HELOC, multifamily, and commercial mortgage loan files. Reviewed borrower and property specific financials and borrower credit information to ensure pledged collateral remained performing, stable, and viable and also conformed to HOEPA, Anti-Predatory Lending, Truth in Lending, and FHLBank Atlanta guidelines. Reported non-performing and non-qualifying assets to the management team. Quickly advanced from a junior member of the contracting team to a senior member thereby gaining responsibilities to include ensuring team members were prepared, knowledgeable, and punctual. SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY – Atlanta, GA 2006 - 2008 Associate – Structured Products, Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (“CMBS”) Underwriting Underwrote and closed 16 CMBS commercial real estate loans on properties located in nine states comprising 700,747 square feet and 1,248 rooms/units with loan amounts totaling approximately $83.5M. Oversaw and managed the third party underwriting and closing of six CMBS commercial real estate loans on properties located in five states comprising 125k square feet and 480 rooms/units with loan amounts totaling approximately $43.9M. Presented loans to credit committee and addressed committee member questions and concerns. Participated in discussions with designated deal team in order to screen prospective transactions, creatively work through potential issues, and manage borrower expectations and timing. Worked closely with lender’s counsel to facilitate information flow, resolve problems and meet closing timeline. Averaged 70 day loan closing in a division with a 100 day average loan closing. Ordered and reviewed third party reports including appraisals, environmental and engineering reports and coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery and accuracy of reports. Coordinated with the securitization department to respond within 24 hours to investor and rating agency questions in order to ensure the sale of loans with the highest profit margins possible. CWCAPITAL LLC – Atlanta, GA 2004 - 2006 Analyst - CMBS Underwriting Served as analyst on 28 CMBS commercial real estate loans, including three bridge loans, on properties located in 14 states comprising 2.5 million square feet and 1,243 rooms/units with loan amounts totaling approximately $333.5M. Provided vital analytical assistance in the underwriting of a $156M loan on a 650,000 square foot office/telecommunications building located in New York, NY. Provided support to the securitization department in order to address investor and rating agency questions and concerns resulting in selling loans with the highest profit margins possible. JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. – Atlanta, GA 2003 - 2004 Intern - CMBS Securitization Provided assistance to aid in securitizing over $5B of CMBS commercial real estate loans that were included in six securitizations. Provided quality assurance and assisted in the timely preparation and distribution of Asset Summary Reports containing information on each loan, as well as the securitization as a whole. Participated in investor and rating agency calls in order to assist in their due diligence and decision making processes relating to commercial mortgage-backed securities. EDUCATION B.S., Commerce & Business Administration, Finance – The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama HONORS and ACTIVITIES (active and previous) Habitat for Humanity – Dothan, Alabama Upstate CREIA – Greenville, South Carolina Georgia Real Estate Investors Association – Atlanta, Georgia Merrill Lynch, Intern – Tuscaloosa, Alabama Capstone Investment Club, Junior Analyst – The University of Alabama Alpha Kappa Psi (Professional Business Fraternity) – The University of Alabama Circle K International – The University of Alabama Dean’s List – The University of Alabama; Troy University G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ® PO Box 462 Fairhope, Alabama 36533 251.525.1792 (c) [email protected] www.williamwilburnrealtor.com PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Goal oriented and results driven Commercial Real Estate Professional with Fortune 500 Company credit lending and agency experience. Proven ability to meet deadlines and deliver bottom line results. Demonstrated analytical and relationship management skills. Thrives in a fast-paced and changing work environment. CLIENT REFERENCES (As represented on www.Trulia.com and www.Zillow.com) Mlp0015 / Buyer – 2/10/2016 Will was an excellent realtor! He is very organized, detail-oriented, and personable. When we first met with him, it was obvious that he enjoys his job and that he keeps his clients' satisfaction as his top priority. Will is very easy to reach by email, phone, or text, and is very efficient in his paperwork. I absolutely recommend him to friends and family! Larryandstacey91 / Buyer – 12/31/2015 We met Will at an open house when beginning our home search, he offered to send us some local information about the Eastern Shore. The next day he followed up on that offer with an email. Will was helpful but not intrusive as we began to narrow our search. We appreciated his patience as we looked at many homes, but never felt pressure to hurry up and make an offer. In the end Will helped us purchase our dream home in Daphne and was with us each step of the way. We would highly recommend his services if you are looking to purchase a home. Jwalker0207 / Buyer – 12/01/2015 Will Wilburn was very professional and responsive during our home purchase. We ran into many issues with the sellers due to the timing of our purchase around the holiday's; however, Will worked hard and conveyed our requests tactfully and accurately. Will made sure we understood our decisions and tried very hard to make sure we made the best response to the sellers during negotiations. As with many large purchases, this was stressful but Will did a good job to carry the load and calm our worries. I would highly recommend Will Wilburn as a very professional, honest, responsive, and respectful realtor. He will work hard to make sure you are happy and make the right decisions! Amy LaHay / Buyer – 6/04/2015 It was a pleasure to have Will Wilburn help us in our home purchase in Baldwin County. He was very knowledgeable of the area and always available to help with any questions or decisions. We would highly recommend Will for your home purchase needs. Gregray615 / Buyer – 5/6/2015 Could not be more pleased with our home buying experience. Will’s hard work, responsiveness to our calls and questions and impressive negotiation skills help us close on the home of our dreams at a price lower than we thought possible. He made us feel as if we were his number 1 priority throughout the entire process and it was of great comfort to know that he was looking out for our best interest. Will is a standup guy that I would proudly recommend to anyone looking to buy or sell real estate. Ctblack79 / Buyer – 01/15/2015 Not only is Will a knowledgeable agent with integrity, he worked diligently with our lender to help us close in a little more than three weeks after we put a contract on our house. He was tremendously helpful during our entire search-to-closing process and really took the time to help us understand and think through our decision. We were so thankful to have an agent like Will and we will certainly plan to use him again. CSSTARKY / Seller – 12/22/2014 Mr.Wilburn represented us on two different properties. He had two listings at the same time. We were from out of town so that added additional needs as sellers. He was a professionals professional. Not only did he listen to us but gave us good advice. Not once did he let us down with false expectations. Never were we ever unhappy with his work ethics. My wife and I highly recommend anyone who is wanting to list or sell their property to seek out William Wilburn. And we wish to thank Will once again for the fine job. Sincerely, Carl and Marsheila Stark G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ® PO Box 462 Fairhope, Alabama 36533 251.525.1792 (c) [email protected] www.williamwilburn.REALTOR CLIENT REFERENCES – Continued Gena Jordan / Mortgage Lender – 12/16/2014 I have worked with Will as a lender on many occasions as the mortgage lender, on both sides of the transaction. He has always been great to work with, getting us exactly what we need, doing what is best for his customers, and making sure they know exactly what to expect throughout the entire mortgage process. On our last deal, he took the initiative of the resolving some issues with the home inspection and completed them in a timely manner that was satisfactory to both parties of the transaction. There would have been no way possible that we could've had such a smooth transaction if it were not for the knowledge and diligence of such a great a realtor. I would highly recommend Will for any of your real estate needs. mrleethewolf / Seller – 12/10/2014 The property that my family sold was a unique property that have an unusually large amount of obstacles to overcome. It was a 1935 home that we completely re-modeled. Many issues came up during the process of selling the home that were quite unexpected. Will had to handle several tough conversations with both myself and the buyer of the home during what seemed to be an endless process. Had it not been for Will's patience in listening to me and dealing with the buyer directly, then my home would probably still be up for sale. I was most impressed with Will during the last couple of days before we closed on the home. He sacrificed both time and money to seal the deal with our buyer. It was a difficult process, but in the end, he made it happen, and he did so for the price we had hoped when we listed the home with him. Mike658 / Seller – 11/21/2014 Reviewer gave 5 out of 5 stars in each of the following categories: Honesty and Integrity, Responsiveness, Local Knowledge, Negotiation, and Process Expertise. Lisa / Buyer – 10/3/2014 I can’t say enough about Will. In addition to demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the area and the area market Will is friendly, professional and patient. He takes the time to listen to needs and wants and really helps you find the right place. Not once did I ever feel pressured or rushed. I couldn’t have asked for a more caring or knowledgeable agent. jcfinch / Buyer – 8/8/2014 Will is honest and keeps his word with whatever he tells you ... he keeps you informed about whatever he is working with you on, My wife and I bought a home through Will and he also selling a house for us .. good man ............. jc finch Kyndal Burkett / Buyer – 6/23/2014 I was extremely pleased working with Will. This was my first home buying process and I felt he was very knowledgeable and patient. He was not pushy and was very sincere in his approach. Even when the process got stressful with the Mortgage company, he was there for me to vent to, bounce ideas off of, and had a positive outlook. If you are looking for an honest, sincere, knowledgeable Realtor, you have found him! smiller / Buyer – 6/10/2014 Excellent in every way. He will help you navigate the obstacles you encounter with quiet, steady competence. Jonathon / Buyer – 5/19/2014 Will made our first home-buying experience smooth and as easy as we could have ever imagined. He was very professional and always responded immediately to any question we might have had. He was able to simplify the process and made the entire homebuying experience enjoyable and stress free. I would definitely recommend Will to any home buyer who is looking for a personable agent who will drop everything to service the needs of his clients. Patricia Berdan / Buyer – 5/9/2014 Will is a top notch real estate salesman. He is honest, kind, and very much a gentlemen. He always answered our questions with promptness no matter how minor. He always made me feel they were important. This was my first experience in buyer a house and I can’t imagine doing it with anyone but Will. I would recommend him to anyone. Will is young and enjoys what he is doing. He helps people in buying and selling homes. G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ® PO Box 462 Fairhope, Alabama 36533 251.525.1792 (c) [email protected] www.williamwilburn.REALTOR CLIENT REFERENCES - Continued KayeWWells / Seller – 4/3/2014 Will helped us sell my parents' home. He did an excellent job! We signed a contract with him in January, and had an offer in February. Will walked us through the entire process, kept us informed, and always answered my phone calls and replied to texts promptly. Will certainly takes care of his clients, and I highly recommend him. ShearerBarbara52 / Buyer – 3/26/2014 Will was recommended to us by a trusted friend and colleague as someone who would capably help us as we searched for a home to buy or rent in a new city for us. Will met and exceeded our expectations and in a matter of a few days, we had purchased our new home. He was an able advocate for us and very responsive to our numerous questions, quickly answering text messages and phone calls even during weekends and evenings. I can, without reservation, say that Will is a 5-star agent! JLocklier / Seller – 3/22/2014 It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I recommend Will Wilburn. He recently assisted me with the sale of a 77 year old home I had inherited. As an out-of-town seller, I needed an agent who could manage the challenges involve in the sale of the property when I was not available. He offered advice when needed and always kept me up to date with phone calls, email and text. He also assisted me in finding professionals to complete repairs that were required. It would have been very difficult to accomplish without his help and I am forever grateful. Will is an exemplary full time professional with extensive knowledge of the real estate market financial and contract negotiations and a complete joy to work with. While I have bought and sold a number of homes, I have never encountered such a level of excellence. It is my honor to recommend Will as a person of integrity and honesty who will work very hard to achieve your real estate objectives. BamaLashay / Buyer – 2/7/2014 Will was an amazing agent in helping me find the perfect home in record time. From start to finish Will had me in my home in 45 due to his professionalism and knowledge of the market. If you are looking for a pleasant experience and the perfect fit choose Will. I am so thankful and honestly blessed to have such a great experience. RetNav94 / Seller – 2/4/2014 I found Will by chance, as I was in California at the time, but needed to sell my home in Dothan, Alabama rather quickly. I could not be happier with him or the results. Throughout the entire process Will has been open and direct about all facets of the selling process. His suggestions on how to present the house for a better sale were spot on! I highly recommend him. Hollyrock62 / Seller – 1/25/2014 Will was Amazing! Would definitely use him again! Kept me informed of every person that he showed the house to with great feedback. Great experience! If you want your house to sell, you need Will. Mine was sold within 30 days! Dfoley40 / Seller – 1/23/2014 Will was absolutely awesome in the endeavor of selling this house. He kept all family members (located in three different states) abreast of all goings on every step of the way. When I'm ready to sell my home, Mr. Wilburn will be my first phone call. Very extremely impressed. Dan Blackman / Buyer – 1/13/2014 Will, was one of the very best Realtors I've ever worked with, he stayed on top of the mortgage company when they were slow to respond to me. He was always proactive, he call me first. If you are selling or buying a home call Mr. William (Will) Wilburn. G. William Wilburn, REALTOR ® PO Box 462 Fairhope, Alabama 36533 251.525.1792 (c) [email protected] www.williamwilburn.REALTOR CLIENT REFERENCES - Continued Pjrich1978 / Seller – 1/10/2014 Will was excellent... Very enthusiastic... Sold our house within 30 days upon listing.... Worked very well with us... a hard worker for both buyer and seller.... Harre021 / Seller – 11/25/2013 Dedicated agent with very good knowledge of the Dothan area. Rb2 / Buyer – 11/24/2013 If you're looking for a home and great service William Wilburn is the person you're looking for. We gave Will the criteria we were looking for in a home 1 time and he quickly sent a list of homes that fit that criteria. He showed us one home and that was the home we made an offer on. Buying a home is a big commitment and can be stressful so communication is key. Will is not only a great communicator but he also understands the real estate market, mortgages, and financing which is a big plus! Without boring you with lengthy details; when we were made an offer and the seller countered Will was able to negotiate and help us understand the minimal impact to our down payment and monthly cost which kept us from walking away. Not only did we get the home we've been looking for we received the best service anyone could ever asked for. There were some struggles along the way but Will made sure we knew we were his #1 priority and he wasn't afraid to fight for us. Will is a great communicator and hands down the best agent I've ever worked with. I believe because of Will's; diligence, tenacity, ability to communicate, and his multiplicity of financial skills we were able get our new home. I would recommend Will to everyone. Cindy Burkett / Seller – 10/20/2013 I can't say enough good things about Will. He sold our home in record time and handled many things we couldn't, as out-ofstate sellers. If you want an enthusiastic, dependable and professional agent to sell or buy, I highly recommend him. He went above and beyond for our sale and we are forever grateful. WYWalker / Buyer – 9/25/2013 Will has been so helpful in helping me find "just the right" home for me. He listened to my wants and is currently helping me find the home I need. Johnmiller1551 / Buyer – 8/28/2013 William was very responsive to our needs. He answered all our questions in a very timely manner and went out of his way to seek information we needed to make the right decision. He treated us as if we were million dollar home buyers. Djklinton / Seller – 5/6/2013 Will was our selling agent and was absolutely wonderful to work with. He was committed 100% to selling our house, and was extremely professional. He was by far the best agent we have ever dealt with. I would use him again and strongly recommend him to anyone selling or buying in the area. Djheller / Buyer – 4/17/2013 One of the qualities I appreciated with Will is the efficiency in which he set up a nice variety of homes for us to view on short notice. He has a calm manner and never appeared anxious or pushy for our decision. Znb10 / Buyer – 4/10/2013 Will was helpful in our relocation to Dothan, AL. I would recommend him to anyone moving to the wiregrass area. Mrpatrick22 / Buyer – 2/22/2013 William helped us find our first home! He is trustworthy, knowledgeable, and very dependable. He did a wonderful job and we definitely recommend him and look forward to working with him again in our future. Real Estate Inspections Provide Insight for Buyers by William Wilburn Community contributor Imagine polishing your grandmother’s antique jewelry only to find that it is chipped and damaged. This is why it’s important to have a home inspection before you purchase a home. Many people may not know a home inspector or even know where to start. That’s OK; the home inspection process can be a common point of confusion among first-time home-buyers. Who picks the inspector? Who pays for the inspection? Who orders? Who attends? What if something major is found? These are all valid questions and all with very simple answers. To find an inspector, ask a local realtor or two for a few references. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to pay for the inspection as it helps 10 August 2013 Realtor William Wilburn. Photo courtesy of William Wilburn evaluate a potential purchase. Once a contract for purchase has been accepted, the buyer or agent will order the inspection. Not to be understated, all efforts should be made to attend the inspection. In addition to keeping the inspector on his or her toes, it’s an opportunity to learn about your new home. In many cases a realtor will not attend in the interest of not influencing the inspection or the buyer’s opinion of the inspector’s conclusions. Remember, the inspection is meant to be a buyer’s opportunity to objectively consider a home’s condition. And while the hope is always for a clean inspection, the inspector would not be doing the job if nothing was found. But be careful, some will throw in the kitchen sink for liability protection! In sum, carefully consider the findings, and in the event that something is uncovered that cannot be looked past, you will have an opportunity to negotiate the items with the seller, or walk away. —William Wilburn is a realtor at Coldwell Banker Alfred Saliba Realty and can be reached at 334-714-5201. AND ANOTHER THING . . . Finding a Realtor That Understands Your Needs You can’t pick your family, but you can pick your Realtor. by William Wilburn Community contributor While we might sometimes like to pick our families, we obviously can’t. But we can pick who we choose to work with regarding our real estate needs. It is important to find the right Realtor when representation is needed. It is also important to know that not all real estate agents are Realtors. To be considered a Realtor, a real estate agent Local Realtor William Wilburn. Photo courtesy of William Wilburn must become a member of the National Association of Realtors. By doing so, they subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge regarding the process of buying and selling real estate. OK, but how does one go about finding the right Realtor? Well, a great place to start is with someone who you know, who may have had a positive experience with a particular Realtor in their recent past. Don’t stop there though, there are more factors and concerns to consider before moving forward. Some general points to consider are fees, experience, availability, personality, and professionalism. If buying a home, commissions are not an issue since the seller pays. If selling a home, one might attempt to negotiate real estate commissions. Getting a discounted real estate commission may be reasonable and possible is some cases, but be careful to ensure that you still receive “full commission” service. It is important to identify an agent that is full-time, and has experience with the type of service that is required and in the local market in which it is required. A friends brother may work in real estate and sell a lot of farm land in the next town over, but his experience may not translate well to the local residential real estate market. Solid candidates should work in real estate full-time. The real estate industry is constantly changing and evolving and it takes a great deal of time and effort to stay on top of trends and changes. Overall length of time in the business is also key. Real estate is cyclical and it takes time for an agent to experi30 September 2013 ence all phases of the real estate cycle. Longevity can also signify a commitment to the business. But while experience can be an agent’s most valuable asset, it can also lead to being overloaded and spread too thin. Feel free to ask how busy an agent is and ensure that they have time to give you the service you need. If you suspect that someone may be overloaded, do not be too quick to pass on the new agent who is passionate and caring. Remember, it is not always about what someone knows, it is also important that they care. For many people, finding the right personality fit is imperative as real estate transactions can take some time to work through. If frequent communication is a preference, working with an agent that does not operate this way could make for an unpleasant experience. Having an agent that understands the clients needs from their point of view can prove to be vital. Lastly, ensure that an agent with a high degree of professionalism and integrity is identified, and one which will provide strict confidentiality. These traits will come in handy down the road should it get a little bumpy along the way. In the effort of finding the Realtor for you, feel free to ask him or her some the following common questions: s(OWLONGHAVEYOUBEENINTHEBUSINESS s7HATISYOURSELLINGEXPERIENCEINMYCOMMUNITY s7HATSERVICESWILLYOUPROVIDEFORMEASMYAGENT s(OWWILLYOUMARKETMYHOME s7HATISMYCONTRACTEDTIMEFRAMEFORUSINGYOUASMY agent? s(OWWILLYOUREPRESENTMEASABUYER s7HATISTHEFEEFORYOURSERVICES s#ANYOUEXPLAINTHEPAPERWORKTHAT)NEEDTOSIGN s7HATIFMYHOMEDOESNTSELLINTHEFIRSTDAYS s7ILLYOUKEEPMYINFORMATIONCONFIDENTIAL Once you have narrowed the field and have chosen someone to assist you, it is important to establish specific goals that you would like to meet. Work with your Realtor to establish a clear plan and time line for accomplishing your real estate needs, but have contingencies and be flexible as real estate can prove to be unpredictable. The Realtor will be able to serve as a guide throughout the process. An experienced agent can simplify everything from getting preapproved for a loan all the way through moving in. —William Wilburn is a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Alfred Saliba Realty and can be reached at 334-714-5201. AND ANOTHER THING . . . Making the Best of the Home-Buying Experience Tips for a simplified and streamlined purchasing process by William Wilburn Community contributor Many people may be surprised that the first step in home buying doesn’t involve dragging the family out and driving through their favorite neighborhoods. The truth is, until the mortgage lender on board, one cannot be certain of which neighborhoods to search. A mortgage lender will indicate how much house one can afford, which will help dictate where to begin William Wilburn Photo courtesy of William Wilburn searching. In many cases, a home-buyer will have information on their credit that prohibits them from buying in the short-term. So save some gas, get preapproved and maximize time spent in the car searching. Once the right home is found, the preapproval letter will need to be submitted along with the offer anyway. A good mortgage person can get you started in the right direction. s&INDKNOWLEDGEABLEANDDEPENDABLEREPRESENTATION Sellers pay real estate commissions. Having a Realtor assist a buyer with the home search costs a buyer nothing. Find a real estate professional that provides a level of comfort and leverage that person’s resources and skills to streamline the home-buying process. They will be able to more quickly and efficiently obtain information on homes, schedule viewing appointments and will have a buyer’s best interest at heart. s0AY#LOSE!TTENTIONTO3CHOOL$ISTRICTS Whether one’s current lifestyle involves having an interest in school districts or not, the odds are that school districts will be important to the future buyer when it is time to sell. With this information in mind, make school districts a priority in the home search. It will matter down the road. s'ETFAMILIARWITHTHENEIGHBORHOODANDSUBDIVISION Every effort should be made to understand a neighborhood’s direction and dynamics. Is the area trending toward a higher concentration of rentals? Have there been security concerns? Visit the area at varying times of the day. Do people feel comfortable getting out during the day? What about at night? Do not be afraid to speak to neighbors and pick their brains. Perform a trial run of the morning and evening work commutes. Additionally, in today’s world of real estate, more and 30 October 2013 more subdivisions are establishing Homeowner’s Associations in order to maintain property values and a high level of quality consistency from home to home. Request copies of the subdivisions Declarations and Covenants and be sure to understand what is allowed and what is not allowed. You may be surprised. Sometimes a limit will be placed on the number of homes allowed to be leased at any given time leaving a relocating homeowner that is unable to sell in a real predicament. Paint colors and yard decorations can also be regulated and homeowner’s can be fined for violations. Find out if there are costs and fees and what those are or could be. Are there monthly or annual fees? Could there be special assessments in the future? Don’t get caught off-guard. A professional can help you navigate this sometimes complicated part of the process. s4AKEASECONDLOOKATTOPCHOICESBEFOREBUYINGTHAT FIRSTHOME Buying a home is a very real and long-term decision. Don’t treat it like buying a new pair of shoes that you can return once buyer’s remorse has set it. Do not hesitate to ask to revisit top choices before taking the plunge and making an offer. A Seller should understand and the Realtor will be happy to take this step to ensure that the buyer is comfortable moving forward. s$ONOTPASSONTHEHOMEINSPECTION Buying a home can be expensive, but do not make the mistake of thinking that money can be saved by waiving your right to a home inspection. Money spent on a home inspection is generally money well-spent. Even if the inspection does not turn up any major concerns, the peace of mind that is gained knowing that a professional has inspected the home can be priceless. s2EVIEWTHE(5$CLOSINGSETTLEMENTSTATEMENTBEFORE THEDAYOFCLOSING Wikipedia defines the HUD-1 as a standard form in use in the United States which is used to itemize services and fees charged to the borrower by the lender or broker when applying for a loan for the purpose of purchasing or refinancing real estate. HUD refers to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The borrower has the right to inspect the HUD-1 one day prior to the day of closing. The form is filled out by the closing agent, or attorney, who will conduct the closing. It is not uncommon for mistakes or errors to be carried over to the HUD-1. Review it carefully with the chosen real estate professional to ensure that it is in line with the intent of the purchase contract and initial good faith estimate given by the mortgage lender. —William Wilburn is a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Alfred Saliba Realty and can be reached at 334-714-5201. Photo courtesy of hibu 18 November 2013 Community contributor by William Wilburn T o effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” This quote, borrowed from Tony Robbins, world renowned motivational speaker and author, speaks to one of the most common, if not the most common, sources of breakdown in real estate transactions: communication. It is not communication itself that causes the breakdown, it is most commonly the lack thereof. With so many different parties involved, and so many moving parts to a real estate transaction, lack of, or ineffective communication, can lead to a less than positive real estate transaction experience for a buyer or seller. Communication: The Fundamental Real Estate Fundamental – whether selling or buying, many people like to form a bond with people that they work with, which can only occur when each party listens to the other. Creating a Positive Experience Real Estate In fact, one of the top reasons for client dissatisfaction among real estate professionals is a failure to acceptably communicate. With that being said, in today’s ever changing world of technology, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the many different methods of communication. It is not always intuitive to know whether a person prefers to communicate via phone, text or email. Though not for everyone, many people are communicating more and more through Facebook and other online resources these days. So how do we know which method should be used? The answer is of course, it depends. It depends on each individual person, and it depends on the type of information being provided. An agent may not necessarily want to text someone the details of an offer for example, but a text may be acceptable for an update on a showing. In my experience, email provides the simplest ease of reference should the information be needed in the future. Even a verbal conversation can be followed up with an email summarizing the communication. At the end of the day, no matter the method, it is most important that the communication take place. Once a preferred method is realized, then there is the issue with frequency. How often should contact be made? Too much communication can be an annoyance to some, but too little, and we’re back to the number one issue facing real estate professionals. What days and/or times are best? Well, you guessed it, it all depends! A seller of a home may require more frequent communication than a home buyer. One seller may require more than another seller. Many sellers are very eager or motivated to sell for one reason or another, and if he or she does not hear from their agent in a timeframe acceptable to them, it may make them nervous about the sale of their home. In a slow market there may be no news to report, but even in this scenario, communication should be maintained. A simple, “Hi this is Will Wilburn with Coldwell Banker. I am calling to let you know that there has been no movement on your home unfortunately, but I am on top of it and will let you know if we should discuss alternative marketing strategies,” will let a seller know that they haven’t been forgotten. A homebuyer, on the other hand, may feel pressure if contact is made too frequently. A client should expect to receive important or urgent information immediately and any other information as soon as reasonably possible. An out of town seller would not want to hear several days later that a roof leak had been identified for example. Determining how often to reach out can be a delicate balance, but as the client, feeling as though someone is listening and on top of things can add a level of comfort to the transaction. This brings us to the fundamental of communication: listening. Type and frequency matter not if they are not backed with a genuine ability to listen to a person’s need or needs. While a lot can be learned about a person within the first five minutes of a meeting, it can take time to determine if that person listens well and is able to convert that into action. Whether selling or buying, many people like to form a bond with people that they work with, which can only occur when each party listens to the other. To put it all into perspective, if as the client the topic of communication is important, do not hesitate to discuss the preferred method(s) and frequency of communication at the beginning of the relationship with an agent. Listening to the other, each party will be glad to have reached an understanding on the number one issue facing real November 2013 19 THINK@ hibumagazine.com/survey THINK Tell us what you estate professionals and their clients. “Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby —William Wilburn is a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Alfred Saliba Realty and can be reached at 334-714-5201. Photo courtesy of hibu A client should expect to receive important or urgent information immediately and any other information as soon as reasonably possible. Photo courtesy of William Wilburn It is not always intuitive to know whether a person prefers to communicate via phone, text or email. 10 December 2013 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Ste. 402, Dothan 334.673.3633 Thomas W. C. Robinson, MD, FACOG Ellen D. Phillips, MD, FACOG Guy M. Middleton, MD, FACOG that can seen with the naked eye. Therein lies the problem, many major defects or issues are not easily seen. What does this mean for a buyer? The first line of defense against acquiring a property with major defects is the standard home inspection. If there are still any questions or concerns, it may be prudent to contract out additional inspections by specialists, ie, structural, roofing, mold, and septic inspections. These would be at the buyer’s expense, which may seem expensive if no issues are found, but would certainly seem inexpensive if and when something major is found. As a buyer, if there are concerns, do not hesitate to request additional inspection. If selling a home, when in doubt, disclose. It may just be the right thing to do. —William Wilburn is a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Alfred Saliba Realty and can be reached at 334-714-5201. STORE HOURS: Mon-Thurs: 7:30-5:30 Fri: 7:30-5:00 Dothan, AL 36305 Or Purchase Of Tires Off 334-792-7518 $10 Any Brake Job 4850 W State Hwy 52 DOLLAR BILL’S SALES & SERVICE Building a reputation you can trust has been a way of life at Dollar Bill’s Sales & Service. Since opening in 1984, Dollar Bill’s Sales & Service has provided superior customer service in tires, wheels, brakes and oil changes. We offer tires in Dothan, AL from top manufacturers like MICHELIN®, BFGoodrich® and Uniroyal ®. Our highly qualified mechanics provide a variety of quality tire and auto repair services in Dothan, AL. leak that consistently requires attention? Is there active mold? Are there active termites? Are there known septic tank problems? If yes is the answer to any of these questions, it may be time to discuss disclosure with a professional. If a seller is working with an agent, the agent is required to disclose anything Photo courtesy of hibu A seller can’t conceal defects during inspection. Growing With You The State of Alabama is a Caveat Emptor state, meaning “let the buyer beware.” This means that it is a buyer’s responsibility to uncover defects in a property prior to purchase. The exception to this is if a seller actively and purposefully conceals latent defects or otherwise misled or made misrepresentations which would amount to fraud. Generally speaking, it is illegal to knowingly hide or conceal defects in a property in order to pass inspection and sell a property. Many sellers fail to realize the importance of disclosing issues or concerns with their home to potential buyers. Does the basement flood during times of heavy rain? Is there a chronic roof Community contributor by William Willburn Caveat Emptor: Let the Buyer Beware Real Estate Nov. 29th - Dec. 10th! 10% OFF Entire Store 1233 Westgate Parkway Dothan, AL 36303 334-712-2000 Monday -Friday 8am-8pm Saturday 8am-6pm • Sunday 10am-6pm • Fast, Friendly Prescription Medicine • Home Medical Equipment • Braces / Splints • Diabetic Supplies • Drive Through Window • Nebulizers • Unique Gift Items Come See What A Difference A Hometown Pharmacy Makes December 2013 11 Home Sales Have Increased By: Cynthia Washington Updated: Fri 5:17 PM, Jun 21, 2013 People have been buying and selling homes at a faster rate since 2008. Alabama Real estate Center Released positive numbers for the Dothan real estate market. Home sales have jumped 7.3% from January to May of 2012 versus January to May of this year. "You've had a 7.3% increase in sales which is awesome for us," said Gina Grant manager broker at Century 21. Realtors say there are several reasons for the increase. "We are seeing jobs come into the area from commercial jet, the medical school and so we are really seeing a lot of people coming in from other areas and this is really shaping up to be one of the best years in the last four or five" said William Wilburn realtor at Coldwell Banker. "The optimism of the buyers in the market I think that our mayor and everyone is working hard at getting some new industry in the area we've got a lot more people come into Dothan so I think people are just ready to buy and the interest rates are starting to creep up so if they were looking at all that kind of motivated people to get out and go buy something," said Grant. And people are buying. "Our phones are ringing people are coming in, we are busier, there is an undeniable uptick in activity and demand for homes in Dothan," said Wilburn. Although the activity has increased realtors don't think this large of an increase will last forever. "I think 7.3 is a more positive number I don't know that it will be 7.3 going forward but certainly that is encouraging and we are all cautiously optimistic that that will continue along with improvements in the economy," said Wilburn. Whether it's an older home or new home, realtors say business is booming for the circle city. The average time it takes a home to sell in Dothan is five months. But realtors say if you plan ahead it could be sooner. North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Exterior Before After North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Living Room Before After North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Kitchen North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Fireplace Remodel Before After North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Hallway Bathroom Before After North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Guest Bedroom Before After North Park Avenue – Property Renovation Interior Solid Pine Door Refinishing