Ask The Real Estate Professional

I’m often asked what is Radon Gas?

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.
You can't see, smell or taste radon gas. But it may be a problem in your home.
Radon is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.
Information provided by Thomas J. McGroder, ABR, GRI, SRES, Thomas J. Real Estate, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker, Registered HUD Broker.

Part 1 of a series

Buyer Representative

“ASK THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL”

As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative I am often asked the question what’s the difference between a Customer and a Client?

For example, if you’re a client, a buyer’s agent will seek to negotiate the most favorable transaction terms for you-and will not disclose any material facts about your situation that could hurt your negotiating position.

If, however, you are only a customer, a buyer’s rep may not be in a position to answer even basic questions, such as “Why are they selling?” or “Is this home priced competitively?” This is because they are acting instead as a sub-agent for the seller.

Your services will vary, depending on your status.

If you are a Customer (no fiduciary relationship), an agent will:

• Maintain loyalty to the seller’s needs
• Keep information about the seller confidential
• Provide just the material facts
• Only provide price information that supports seller’s listing price
• Protect the seller
• Negotiate on behalf of the seller
• Attempt to solve problems to the seller’s advantage

If you are a Client (fiduciary relationship), your agent will:

• Pay full attention to your needs
• Tell you all that they know about the seller
• Keep information about you confidential
• Provide material facts as well as professional advice
• Provide price counseling based on comparable properties
• Protect and guide you
• Negotiate on your behalf
• Attempt to solve problems to your advantage and satisfaction

Not every state requires a signed Buyer’s Representation Agreement to create an agency.

Information provided by Thomas J. McGroder, ABR, GRI, SRES, Thomas J. Real Estate, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker, Registered HUD Broker.