Savannah Real Estate Lawyer

Best Real Estate Attorney in Savannah – 2020 Savannah Morning News

I am excited to announce that I was selected as the Best Real Estate Attorney and Best Overall Attorney by the Savannah Morning News. This is the third year in a row that I have received this honor.

There are so many talented and well-respected lawyers in the Coastal Empire. I am just grateful to be a part of that incredible group of individuals.
As always, I must acknowledge the Realtors that I have the incredible privilege of working with every day. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love! I also want to thank all of the lenders, my clients, as well as Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP for their unwavering support.

Finally, I am so fortunate to have such an amazing team of paralegals. None of this would be possible without their genuine passion for the world of residential real estate and commitment to providing an awesome closing experience.

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at 912-484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP is looking to hire a well-qualified real estate paralegal to join the team.

The applicant must have a minimum of one year work experience as a residential real estate paralegal.

Equally as important, the applicant must have a wonderful rapport with real estate agents and lenders.Continue Reading

Purchasing a home is a BIG deal! For most individuals it will be the largest purchase of their lives. As a closing attorney, I take being a part of such a significant life event very seriously. So why do I call every buyer on every closing? There are actually several reasons.

First, there is nothing more important than speaking with a buyer early in the process to introduce myself and to answer any questions he or she may have. Learning that the purchaser is a first-time homebuyer, buying a second home or moving from another state helps me understand that buyer’s particular situation on the front end of the transaction. I also provide the buyer my cell phone number so they feel comfortable calling me anytime throughout the process. By speaking with the buyer prior to the closing I truly believe that it reduces the general anxiety that a buyer normally feels attending a closing. When I walk in the closing room both the buyer and myself know that we have spoken and are genuinely excited about finally meeting in person for the first time.Continue Reading

In 2017, at the request of a number of selling agents, I drafted Joel’s Selling Agent Checklist. I believe it was well received by all. At that time it was my intention to also draft a listing agent checklist. Well . . . approximately two years later I have finally completed that checklist. It was true in 2017, and still true today, that a single real estate transaction has so many moving parts and no one closing is the same. One of the single most important attributes of a successful Realtor is organization. While many of you have certain procedures in place to ensure you are organized, I wanted to offer a new tool for you to use.Continue Reading

Best Lawyer in Savannah – 2019 Connect Savannah

I am excited to announce that I was selected as the Best Local Attorney for the fourth consecutive year in the Connect Savannah 2019 Best of Savannah issue. As an attorney who focuses exclusively on residential real estate this is such an honor. The lawyers that practice law in the Coastal Empire are an incredibly talented group of individuals. I am so fortunate to be a part of that group.Continue Reading

I am pleased to announce that I was selected for the second year in a row as the Best Real Estate Attorney and Best Overall Attorney in the Savannah Morning News Best of the Best edition. One of my core principles is loyalty. It drives everything that I do and makes me who I am. We all love connecting with like-minded individuals and I am so fortunate that I have the privilege to work with so many loyal friends. That loyalty keeps me going each and every day. I know that these honors would not be possible without YOU. I will continue to give you and your clients everything I have every single day. As always, I am nothing without my incredible team. Thank you so much again for your continued support.

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at (912) 484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

The picture above just makes me happy! It reminds me of how many families I have had the privilege to help buy or sell a home. It reminds me of the most important thing about my job . . . the family-like relationships I have with the best Realtors in the business. I never thought I’d have a job that makes me feel the way I do every time I walk out of that room. It’s just pure happiness. Joy for the Realtors who have worked so hard to help another family, excitement for the lenders that have come through for their clients, and gratitude that I got to be a part of something so very special.

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I was recently notified by the Super Lawyers publication that I was selected to the 2018 Georgia Super Lawyers list. Only 5% of attorneys in the State of Georgia receive this distinction. I am honored to have been selected to this prestigious group of lawyers for the second year in a row (you have to be 40 to qualify). What is special about this this statewide honor is that the list is selected in part by my peers in the legal profession. I love what I do, but couldn’t do it without the incredible support of the Realtors, builders, lenders and clients that continue to trust me and my firm. Also, it goes without saying that I am nothing without my team.

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As we move into the second half of the year I just wanted to take a few moments to express my sincere gratitude to all of the Realtors, lenders and clients that have given me the opportunity to help them this year. And what a year it has been so far! There is nothing that makes me happier than to see the Realtors I work with succeed. Not only are they successful but they are true professionals. Thank you for always holding me and my team to the highest of standards as that is what you and your clients deserve and must expect. I am especially grateful to those of you who let me know anytime we are not meeting your expectations. It’s the only way we can get better. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I wish each of you a safe and prosperous remainder of 2018.

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at (912) 484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram | Google+

Best Lawyer in Savannah – 2018 Connect Savannah

What a year so far! I am pleased and humbled to announce for the third consecutive year I was selected as Best Lawyer in the Connect Savannah 2018 Best of Savannah issue. As always, I must thank the incredible Realtors that I have the privilege of working with every day. Thank you so much again for giving me the opportunity to work with you and your amazing clients. I also want to recognize all of the lenders, my clients, as well as Brannen, Searcy & Smith for their continued support. And finally I need to thank my incredible real estate team who makes all of this possible! Thank you so much again for this incredible honor.Continue Reading

I’m pleased to announce that I was voted the Best Real Estate Attorney in the Savannah Morning News “Best of the Best” edition. I also won the Best Overall Attorney and Individual Attorney. It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized by my friends and colleagues. I work with the BEST Realtors, lenders and clients in town and none of this would have been possible without their continued support. Most importantly, I would like to recognize my entire team of paralegals who are the BEST in the business.Continue Reading

I am pleased to announce that I have been nominated in the following categories for the Savannah Morning News “Best of the Best”:

Best Real Estate Attorney, Best Individual Attorney and Best Overall Attorney.

Also, my firm Brannen, Searcy & Smith was nominated for Best Overall Law Firm.

Thank you so much for all of your continued support.

If you would like to vote please click on the link below (Services category).

Best of the Best – VOTE NOW!

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at (912) 484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram | Google+

We all love cash transactions. Generally they are smooth and logistically easier than closings with lender financing. While there are a few issues that you as a Realtor do not have to address with a cash closing (i.e., lending), there are so many other issues that you need to make sure your client is aware of. Below are some points that you want to make sure you have addressed with your buyer (although the closing attorney should be addressing many of them at the closing).
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Best Lawyer in Savannah – 2017 Connect Savannah

I am pleased and humbled to announce I was selected as Best Lawyer in the Connect Savannah 2017 Best of Savannah issue for the second consecutive year. As a closing attorney, I have the opportunity to work with the best and brightest Realtors in the area (including Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty and Bulloch Counties). Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to work with you and your incredible clients.Continue Reading

Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP is looking to hire a well-qualified real estate paralegal to join the team.

The applicant MUST have a MINIMUM of 3 years work experience as a real estate paralegal.

Equally as important, the applicant MUST have a wonderful rapport with real estate agents and lenders.Continue Reading

Purchasing a home is a BIG deal! For most individuals it will be the largest purchase of their lives. As a closing attorney, I take being a part of such a significant life event very seriously. So why do I call every buyer on every closing? There are actually several reasons.

First, there is nothing more important than speaking with a buyer early in the process to introduce myself and to answer any questions he or she may have. Learning that the purchaser is a first-time homebuyer, buying a second home or moving from another state helps me understand that buyer’s particular situation on the front end of the transaction. I also provide the buyer my cell phone number so they feel comfortable calling me anytime throughout the process. By speaking with the buyer prior to the closing I truly believe that it reduces the general anxiety that a buyer normally feels attending a closing. When I walk in the closing room both the buyer and myself know that we have spoken and are genuinely excited about finally meeting in person for the first time.Continue Reading

I was just notified by the Super Lawyers publication that I was selected to the 2017 Georgia Super Lawyers list. Only 5% of attorneys in Georgia receive this distinction. While I have received the Georgia Super Lawyer Rising Star honor for many years (awarded to attorneys under the age of 40), this is the first time I have been selected to the Super Lawyer list. I guess this really just means I’m getting old.Continue Reading

As I was trying to figure out what to post this week I ran across one of my past blog entries. After reading it again, I felt it was appropriate to update and re-post. After all, it’s exactly how I felt then and even more so now.

Every realtor must demand service, accessibility and the pursuit of perfection from his or her closing attorney. Demanding these three things is the only way to ensure that your real estate business is able to focus on what you do best – helping people find homes and getting listings sold. You are entitled to demand these three things regardless of whether you (1) send the closing attorney 50 closings a year or just one or (2) have a long-standing personal relationship with the closing attorney or just working with him or her for the first time. This is what you deserve as a real estate professional. Continue Reading

What Every Listing Agent MUST Know About Sellers Who Are Not U.S. Citizens Or Georgia Residents

So your seller is not a U.S. Citizen (and does not have a Green Card). . .

Under federal law (specifically, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (“FIRPTA”)), if a foreign person sells U.S. real property, the buyer is required to withhold no less than ten percent (10%) of the sales price and remit it to the IRS. Yes, I said the sales price. If that isn’t bad enough, in some instances the ten percent (10%) can be as high as fifteen percent (15%). Like everything else in life, however, there are always few exceptions (and one fairly common one). So let’s look at this a little closer.Continue Reading

I never post the same thing twice, but I can’t come up with anything better to express my thoughts as 2015 comes to an end. So here you go… Happy New Year!

I was trying to figure out what to post as 201[5] comes to a close and I am speechless. I know, I know… you are probably laughing right since I always seem to have something to say. But seriously, I am just overwhelmed with emotion as I sit here typing. I really cannot believe how fortunate I am to be part of the local real estate community. It is a powerful group of individuals who take their business very seriously. From the Realtors to the lenders (and everyone in between), thank you for allowing me to be a part of your [world].Continue Reading

This past Saturday night, Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP was honored to be a Silver Sponsor at the Savannah Area Realtors Awards Banquet. The event was a tremendous success! I want to congratulate all of the Realtors who received their Distinguished Sales Society awards as well as the other award recipients. It was a privilege to be in attendance.

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at (912) 484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Google+ | Facebook | Linkedin

Brannen, Searcy & Smith is looking for a well-qualified real estate paralegal to join the Savannah office team. The applicant MUST have a MINIMUM of three years work experience in a real estate closing attorney’s office and be proficient in ALL aspects of the closing process. Equally as important, the applicant MUST have a wonderful rapport with real estate agents, lenders, buyers and sellers.Continue Reading

I am excited to announce that my firm, Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP, will open its Richmond Hill office on February 26, 2015. The new office, located at 405 Harris Trail Road, Unit C, will be dedicated to real estate closings in Richmond Hill and the surrounding areas.

Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP, a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated firm, was organized as a partnership by Perry Brannen, Sr. in 1937. For almost 80 years, the firm has grown and prospered, achieving success and a reputation that demands respect in the legal community.

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at (912) 484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Google+ | Facebook | Linkedin

I was trying to figure out what to post as 2014 comes to a close and I am speechless. I know, I know . . . you are probably laughing right now since I always seem to have something to say. But seriously, I am just overwhelmed with emotion as I sit here typing. I really cannot believe how fortunate I am to be part of the local real estate community. It is a powerful group of individuals who take their business very seriously. From the Realtors to the lenders (and everyone in between), thank you for allowing me to be a part of your community.Continue Reading

Connect Savannah recently released the results for its annual Best of Savannah Readers Poll. I am humbled and excited to announce that I was voted runner-up in the category of Best Lawyer in Savannah. Also, my law firm, Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP, was voted the best law firm (runner-up). Both myself and the firm thank you for this honor and appreciate your continued support.

As most of you know, the Biggert Waters Flood Reform Act of 2012 (the “Old Act”) went into effect in October 2013 and started causing all kinds of chaos with flood insurance premiums (What the HECK is Going on with Flood Insurance Premiums?). As of May 1, 2014, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 went into effect (the “New Act”). Many of you may believe that this New Act stops the chaos caused by the Old Act – IT DOES NOT! The New Act simply provides a short term (4 year) roll back of the provisions of the Old Act that pertain to primary residences. For secondary homes, rental properties and other severe loss properties, they will continue to move to full risk rating over the next 4 years and if you cannot prove that it’s your primary residence, then the gradual increase will apply.Continue Reading

It was recently brought to my attention that some of the other closing offices in town do not charge for a title abstract if the closing does not occur. I am pleased to announce that our new firm policy is the same and there is no risk at all that your client will be charged for a title abstract in the event the closing does not occur. Have a great rest of the week.

And as always if you need anything call me on my cell anytime at (912) 484-1996 or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com (even nights and weekends).

You can find Joel on Google+ | Facebook | Linkedin

Thanks to all of the support our office continues to receive, we are looking to expand. I am looking for a well-qualified real estate paralegal to join the two awesome paralegals I already have. The applicant must be able to handle ALL aspects of the closing process AND have a wonderful rapport with real estate agents and lenders.

• Very competitive pay
• Full benefits
• An incredible team-oriented work environment

If you know of any qualified applicants please have them submit resumes to me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

Thank you for all of your help.

Joel Gerber

You can find Joel on Google+ | Facebook | Linkedin

Topic: “Common Contract Pitfalls to Avoid & What You Should Expect from Your Closing Attorney”

Speaker: Joel Gerber – Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP

Sponsored by: Mungo Homes

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Networking & Lunch: 12:00pm

Speaker: 12:30pm

Location: Savannah Area Realtors – 7015 Hodgson Memorial Drive

In order to give our sponsor an accurate count, please RSVP for lunch no later than Monday, February 10, 2014. This is an SAR member benefit – No Charge to attend for SAR members.
Due to Educational Requirements, NO CE Credit is given for Lunch & Learn sessions.
To RSVP, please contact Lori at loriv@savannahboardofrealtors.com.

You can find Joel on Google+ | Facebook | Linkedin

To my clients, thank you for allowing me to represent you and provide you guidance throughout the year.

To my friends who have referred me their friends and clients, thank you for trusting me.

To the realtors and lenders that have allowed me to work with their clients for years – thank you. Your support continues to serve as the foundation that allows me to grow my practice.Continue Reading

Halloween is behind us, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I can almost hear Santa’s sleigh. While the holidays are a wonderful time of year to reflect and spend time with friends and family, do NOT let it interfere with the goals you set for yourself in the beginning of 2013 or impede your planning for an amazing 2014. No, I’m not trying out for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, but I know how hard you’ve worked this year and want to see each of you get close, meet or hopefully exceed your professional goals for the year.Continue Reading

Every realtor must demand service, accessibility and the pursuit of perfection from his or her closing attorney. Demanding these three things is the only way to ensure that your real estate business is able to focus on what you do best – helping people find homes and getting listings sold. You are entitled to demand these three things regardless of whether you (1) send the closing attorney 50 closings a year or just one or (2) have long-standing personal relationship with the closing attorney or just met them for the first time through a closing. This is what you deserve as a real estate professional.Continue Reading

So we all know the saying that behind ever great man is an even better woman. While that is true in my household (no, I’m not calling myself great, it’s just an expression), it also holds true (times two) in my office. Yes, the closing attorney often times is what first attracts a realtor or a buyer to a particular closing office; and yes, the attorney reviews the title and deals with issues on problem files; and yes, the attorney conducts the closing, BUT there is so much more involved on a typical closing and that is where the closing paralegal MUST be AMAZING.Continue Reading