Savannah Real Estate Lawyer

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Step by Step Guide to the Closing Process

Written By Posted In Real Estate

The Closing Process Joel Gerber June

Below is an article that summarizes the attorney’s role in the closing process. Download a printable PDF version to share with your buyers to educate them on this aspect of the home-buying experience.

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What is a closing and what does the closing attorney do?

What an exciting time! You are thinking about purchasing a home. Moving forward, you will be working closely with your Realtor, the lender, and closing attorney. While the roles of the Realtor and lender might be obvious, you may have no idea what the closing attorney does. In a nutshell, the closing attorney is the quarterback for the entire transaction. The closing attorney works with the buyer and seller, both Realtors, and the lender. Having a great closing attorney (who has an amazing team of paralegals) is critical to ensure a seamless transaction. Below is a brief outline of the role of the closing attorney throughout the closing process (and more specifically, it is the way my firm handles each and every transaction).Continue Reading

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Don’t Be A Slow Poke When It Comes To Addressing The Homestead Exemption

Written By Posted In Homestead Exemption, Real Estate

Homestead Exemption

As we all know, certain things just take time. Finding a parking spot at the mall during the holidays, checking out at Walmart, and POA closings, just to name a few. Determining whether to file for the 2020 Homestead Exemption should not be one of them.

For those of you who are a Georgia resident, purchased a primary residence in 2019 (or have made a prior owned property your primary residence as of December 31, 2019) and that property is located in Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Bulloch, Glynn, Long, Tattnall or McIntosh Counties, you should file for the Homestead Exemption now. By filing for the Homestead Exemption, you will receive a reduction of your home’s assessed value each year going forward as long as you reside in the home as your primary residence.

To file for the Homestead Exemption in these eight counties you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new property address) and 2019 utility bill to your respective county tax assessor’s office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed before April 1, 2020. You only need to file for the Homestead Exemption one time.Continue Reading

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Why Do I Personally Call Every Buyer?

Written By Posted In Real Estate

Why call

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

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Joel’s Listing Agent Checklist

Written By Posted In Real Estate

Listing Agent Checklist JUNE

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

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Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Written By Posted In Real Estate

Thank You Connect Savannah

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

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