Berger Points Broadcast

You know, I often talk about reducing taxes.So, people who owe taxes on the property are always looking to save money.Many times the answer is really not too far away.One of my favorite programs is really a farm program.And what I mean by that is that if you have chickens on your property or if you have a couple of sheep or let’s say you have a beehive.Well, a lot of people aren’t going to want sheep and a lot of people won’t want chickens, but they may want a beehive.So, if you have a couple of acres available, I’ll show you what a beehive looks like.And keep in mind that this particular client of mine has the beehive and claims it on his taxes, but the beehive is completely taken care of by an outsider.They come in and do all the work and they take 50% of the honey.So, the homeowner gets 50%, my client, and they get 50% and they’re thrilled.So, I’ll show you what the beehive actually looks like.Well, this is a beehive and the bees are busy.They’re going in and out and well, they’re starting to get ready to do their work.And of course, the honey is made after the flowers bloom and it takes a few months.As you can see, it’s really not obtrusive and you could be really placed at anywhere in your property where it’s out of the way and you’re not affected.But the honeybees are very happy.So enjoy and get the tax deduction too.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everyone. My name is Chris Berger, and it’s time for a Berger Point.You know, a lot of people wonder about the value of a good inspection of the home and when it should be performed.Typically, the buyer always hires the inspector, so that inspection report is for the buyer’s eyes only.Now, it’s up to the buyer whether or not to share that and they usually do when they want to negotiate the price.Now, when does the inspection come into place?Well, once an offer has been made to the seller and it’s been accepted, normally it takes about seven days to perform an inspection.Why?Because this allows the seller to know that the buyer is serious, and wants to move forward.What is the purpose of the inspection?What is the inspector really looking for?Well, typically in a 2,000 square foot home, you’re going to wind up paying $450 to $600 for the inspection.The inspector will find many, many things wrong with the property.Sometimes it’s almost nitpicking because if the house is pristine, he’s got to offer something that you’re being charged with.However, the red flags, what are the red flags that a buyer should look for?Well, probably one of the most common red flags is mold that might be behind a wall, but you might see little etchings of it through a vent or through the sheet-rock.So important that’s when an inspector really may earns his money because he’ll see the mold and it makes a difference also to galvanized pipe downstairs would indicate that the plumbing is probably pretty old.So that’s the value of an inspection. And that’s why it’s so important.So buyers, make sure to hire an inspector.And if it comes to the point where you have to negotiate some of the things in that inspection report, your agent will gladly do it.And that’s my point.https://bergerpoints.comJoin me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

You know, one of the requirements of a listing agent is to provide a disclosure form to the seller.What’s a disclosure form?Well, the seller has the obligation to disclose material facts of what’s wrong with the house.OK, so what’s a material fact?Well, it could be a broken step that’s loose in the front or broken railing.That’s an obvious fact.It also can be an oil burner that doesn’t work, or it could be a hot water heater that only goes to a certain temperature and really doesn’t provide enough hot water.That’s a material fact, and that has to be brought out so that the buyer looking at it can observe it and make a decision. Listen for complete details!Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

You know, when a seller wants to upgrade their home, a buyer wants to come in and see everything that’s pristine and one of the things that sellers do, and I’ve always advised them to do, is if they have a den, okay.For example, and there’s an old rug there, we’ll take up the old rug.Say your den is 10 by 15. That’s 150 square feet. That’s all. Go to the big box scores. Pick out a nice laminate or better yet, a nice finished hardwood.So if you’re talking $5 a square foot, that’s really $750.And when a buyer comes in and sees it, they’re going to be astonished.What about who’s going to put it down?Well, actually, plenty of carpenters will come in and they’ll just charge you for a room.Meaning —→ they’ll just charge you a square foot.S o they may even charge you that $5.So now you’re into the room, $1,500, and you will get that back many times over because when the buyer comes in and sees that pristine floor, it makes such a difference.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Chris Berger - Long Time Realtor and Triple State Licensed in NY, FL and CT - offers some stellar tips for negotiating a property deal and getting the home you want.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

In this Berger Point, Chris Berger gives you a must do before you sign that contract on the dotted line and buy a home.Chris tells all his clients to drive by the home when it's raining - this is why....Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

In this Berger Point, Chris Berger tells you a litle bit about what a Reverse Mortgage is and whether or not you are qualified to get one if you want to.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Chris Berger - Licensed Real Estate Agent with 40 years of experience, gives you the exact and necessary steps that lead to closing a property deal.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody.My name’s Chris Berger, and it’s time for Berger Point.You know, people are very, very concerned about credit today.Everything’s credit.Well, if you want to raise your credit score, a simple trick to do is keep your purchases on the credit card 20% of what you can maximum spend on the credit card.What do I mean by that?Okay, here’s an example.$5,000 is your credit limit.If you keep that card at 20% of your credit limit, which is $1,000, your credit score will start to go up.So, if you keep it below 20%, your credit will go up.It’s a simple trick. It’s simple math. Follow it.And of course, once you get a chance to start paying down those credit cards, that’s even better.Keep it below 20%. And that’s my point.And today, I’m wearing my Paul Anka hat. He was a little bit before my generation, in a sense, but we went to see him, and what a show he put on.He’s in his 80s, utterly spectacular, and incidentally, he wrote my way for Frank Sinatra. Be well.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Long time realtor and property management expert -- Chris Berger - tells you exactly what a Seller Concession Is & Why It's A WIN ForBoth Sides!Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

In this Berger Point, Chris discusses why property disclosure Is Very Important for sellers and what can go wrong if diclosure is ignored or covered up.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

You know, recently I was working with homeowners.They were listing their home, but her big concern was what time the buyers can come to the house.She didn’t want somebody just showing up any time.Well, always remember, Mrs. Seller, that you are in charge of when the buyers come.And what I mean by that, you sit down with your listing agent and you set the times, say Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11 to 5, and Saturday and Sunday, let’s go to 11 to 3.30, because if soccer practice or church or whatever, is involved but just remember you as the seller are in charge.Now we as agents we schedule all the appointments through something called SHOWING TIME software. It's great. It keeps schedules organized.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

You know, people have pointed out for years and years why acreage on a property is important.Now, there’s 43,560 square feet in an acre of land.So if you’re looking at a listing and it might say one quarter acre, 0.4 acre, 0.6 acre, it gives you a sense of how many acres or how many square feet are on the property or encompass the property.Why is that important?Well, most people associate acreage with the amount of bathrooms that you can put in your home.However, that’s not entirely true because what dictates how many bathrooms can be in your room is not how many square feet, but how many bedrooms you’re approved for by the town.So if the town approves you of three bedrooms, you can then put three bathrooms in your home.But you need the square feet or the square footage to accommodate that outside.So that’s why acreage is important.So when you’re looking at a listing, look for one acre or better.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

You know, sitting here at the end of January, 24 hours of snow, two feet of snow, and up and down the northeast, it’s pretty bad.I got to thinking about my fireplace and why a fireplace, a garage, and a pool are important to the buyer as well as the seller.Well, let’s cover the fireplace first.Well, you have a fireplace, you walk in, it could be in great shape, it could be not working.But if it’s there, it’s such an advantage and it adds value to your house that you’re buying or selling.Watch the whole Berger Point to get the details!Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Good afternoon this is Chris Berger your Hudson Valley realtor and it’s time for a Berger Point.You know going into a closing, a lot of people don’t realize this, but once the buyer sits down to the table and is signing the mortgage, we kind of refer to as your commitment for life, when signing it.Actually though, what happens is you do have three days of rescission.What that exactly means as the buyer is signing for the mortgage, if they decide a day and a half later, two days, up to three days, they can cancel the mortgage and cancel the whole deal.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody. This is Chris Berger. It’s time for Berger Point.You know, many years ago, I would ride past houses and you look at them.And as you look at a home, you really take for granted many things that’s on the home, whether it has chimney, does it have a chimney cap?You know, it’s kind of obvious to see that. However, one of the things that I found out many, many years ago, how important a roof vent is.A roof vent, of course, it goes along the peak of the house.What this vent does, is open.So the shingles are right up to these vents that runs across your peak.And the importance of this is that it actually allows your attic to breathe.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon everybody. This is Chris Berger and it’s time for a Berger Point.I wanted to tell you about the agreement that a listing agent will present to the homeowner and it’s called an exclusive right to sell.That gives that real estate agency the right to sell your home and gain commission.No matter who buys it.So that’s very important.It’s a very common agreement.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

I’ve often said that when you go to apply for a mortgage, it’s a little like confession.It’s miserable doing it, but once you get it done, you are beyond happy.So, what happens with that mortgage commitment? What does it say?Well, it will tell the seller, as well as the buyer, that date you’re going to close.That’s so important to both parties.In addition to that, generally what will happen is that the seller will always continue to go through with the deal. The buyer will continue to go through the deal.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well good afternoon everybody this is Chris Berger. It’s time for a Berger Point.You know, the big thing about closings —→ years ago they used to last anywhere between an hour which probably meant the buyer was closing with cash.They were great to experience because they went so quickly.Whereas other closings I’ve had going up to three hours and right down to the wire, literally when the bank was wiring the money to get the deal done.So what about today? What’s going on today?Well, there’s a big thing called remote closings and it seems to be the trend.And what exactly does a Remote Closing mean?Well, basically, the seller of the home, they pretty much pre-sign everything.They pre-sign everything and they give their attorney the power of attorney and to receive the funds and they actually do not have to go to the closing.Now on the opposite end on the buyer side generally the buyer — which is really nice — Today they can pre-sign probably —- I don’t know, maybe 30 pages.And I don’t know if you’ve ever witnessed a closing or what goes on in a closing, but generally the buyer’s pages are literally a half inch thick and they’re just signing away, signing away and signing away.Now with the pre-signing and also if you decide to give the power of attorney to your attorney, they can sign even further documents.You can go to the closing, you can review them and you can really be in and out inside of 45 minutes, which makes it easier to go through.Now, remember actually, as a buyer — they have three days to change his or her mind and reject the mortgage and back out of the deal.It’s called the right of rescission. (I wrote about it here)And that’s standard with all the documents here in the Hudson Valley area. It’s happened to me in Carmel, New York.   So that’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Chris Berger - licensed real estate agent for NY and FL - talks about the importance of the home inspection report. Chris relays an real life example of what heppened when there was a problem in the report.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon everybody. This is Chris Berger, and it’s time for a Berger Point.You know, when I look at basements in homes here in the Northeast, in the Hudson Valley, it kind of feels like home because for many, many years, I was involved in a masonry supply business and we sold everything from the ground up to build a house.So basements have always been interesting to me because it’s your obligation to keep them dry.When you keep a basement dry, your house functions so much better.So, I was going to show you a little bit about what a sump pump looks like because when I am visiting houses and I look for them —- you see them, you always want to know the electricity cost of that particular home each month because —- if that pump is running all the time then there’s a serious water problem.However, if it’s not, if it’s intermittent, that’s fine. It’s under control.I will also show you what a French drain looks like and the value of that.Take a look .So when we visited this home, I wanted to show you what a sump pump looks like.It sits in, of course, the floor, and it’s probably about 24 inches deep on average, maybe 30 and then adjacent to that is something called a French drain system.What that does, it’s outside the whole perimeter of the home and at this point, when the water hits it, it actually goes into like a gutter-like system under the floor.Then it can go into the sump pump or it can just exit the house in the outside perimeter drains.So again, I just wanted to give you an idea what an actual sump pump looks like.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Chris Berger - licensed agent for NY and FL - relays a story where he had a buying client who was ready to give up.There is a happy ending to this story, but not without some understanding and changes in approach.Find out what changed for this buyer!Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody. This is Chris Berger, and yes, it’s time for a Berger Point.Now, I wanted to talk to you today a little bit about a commercial real estate agent and a residential real estate agent in New York.Now, I am a New York residential real estate agent, and I’m licensed to sell homes.However, if someone showed me a six-family house, that would involve a commercial real estate agent.A real estate agent - that’s a separate license from what I have.So, if you see someone selling apartment buildings or you know 20 apartments are in a building or a shopping center, strip mall etcetera — it’s all commercial land.They utilize a commercial real estate agent and they should because in reality their contacts are in the commercial world.Whereas my contacts are in the residential world.So, I did have something come upon one time not too long ago where this woman wanted to list her house with me.However, it was also commercially zoned.So, instead of taking the listing, I reached out to a good friend of mine and they took the listing.It was a little tough only because there’s so many things, different things involved in commercial real estate that the woman who owned the house and the property next door really wasn’t aware of.So together, a commercial real estate agent, and myself, we sort of held her hand and got her through the property.And she was thrilled.And not only did I get a referral fee for giving it to the commercial agent, when she bought her new house,nI represented her and I got my full commission!And that’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody. This is Chris Berger, and yes, it is time for a Berger Point.You know, it’s been brought to my attention that a lot of people, when they go to the closing table as the buyers, and they’re receiving their mortgage, it’s very confusing because they expect the payment to, say, be $2,250.And then all of a sudden, it is not $2,250, but it’s $2,600.So where did the extra payment come in?Why is that showing up now?Well, the buyers should always be aware that the homeowner’s insurance on a monthly basis will be tacked on to your mortgage payment.In addition to that, your taxes will be added on to your mortgage payment.So that’s where the extra money comes in.Now, years ago, the mortgage companies were a little bit more lax, allowing you to pay the insurance on a home, as well as, the taxes on your own.So you just were paying the mortgage what you owe to the bank.However, with how things have developed over the last 10, 12 years, 15 years, you know, people not paying their insurance because they couldn’t afford it or the taxes.So the bank will go to the extremes, in a sense, to protect their investment.So that’s why the insurance is added on as well as the taxes.And it’s really just a fact of life today.That’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody. This is Chris Berger. It’s time for a Berger Point.You know, being here in the middle of November, looking forward to buying a new house in the spring or selling your house in the spring,I wanted to bring your attention to your taxes on the house and what you can do to lower them and what you should do.Because basically me as a buyer, when I’m looking at a house, if the taxes say are over $12,000.Well, I could eliminate that fairly quickly because I can’t afford that.So maybe my limit might be $10,000.But you as a seller with a $12,000 tax bill, you can certainly enter your name and address into the STAR program of New York State and they will lower your taxes.You’ll get a rebate.However, one thing that I tell all of my clients on both sides, buyer or seller, is that if a property is available —- Well, if you own that home and the taxes are too high, then go to your town board, make an appointment and do something called grieving your taxes.And if you don’t want to do it, it’s not terribly difficult.However, if you can also hire someone and they will charge you a fee based on what they’ve reduced your taxes.So if they’ve reduced your taxes by $1,000, they may charge you 25% of that.But it’s well worth it.It’s something to do over the next six months, especially now that prices have sort of stabilized, if not dropped a little bit.So you’re in the driver’s seat. So go grieve your taxes and get ready for the spring. That's my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody.My name is Chris Berger, and it’s time for a Berger Point.People talk about this memo of sale.What exactly is a memo of sale?And why is it so important to both sides, seller and buyer?Well, first of all, it’s an information sheet that your listing agent will make up.And of course, it begins with the name and address of the seller, name and the address of the buyer, and all their contacts.So, which would include their email, the phone number, the attorneys for both sides, it just makes things go easier and faster.So that’s why it’s important to be accurate.So it also has one big factor and that’s the purchase price and what both parties have agreed upon.Now, in addition to that, it will have the stipulations of the sale.For example, it might be cash down or it might be mortgage 20% down.Whatever it is, it has that information on there.And also too, the concessions, mainly from the seller, what they’re willing to do for the house.And by having this on a piece of paper, it’s then sent to the attorneys.It would be the selling attorney that would draw up the contract.And at this point, it is sent to the buyer’s attorneys.The buyer goes in, signs it, and now that contract goes back to the seller. They sign it.Voila, we now have a contract of sale. Very important. The memo of sale all came from there and it needs to be accurate and it just makes things go faster in the long run and makes everybody a lot happier.And that’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Good afternoon, everybody. This is Chris Berger, and it’s time for a Berger Point.Now, I wanted to talk to you a little bit about the importance of the multiple listing service, otherwise known as the MLS.Now, of course, we’re all members of that as a real estate agents, so we have access to the MLS.What’s important is why a seller should be on the MLS, as well as, the buyer should check on the MLS through the proper portal for people who search, but it’s up to the date information.Whereas Zillow or Realtor.com, they have a tendency to lag behind a little bit. might be a day, half a day, two days, it’s hard to say.However, when I find a listing on the MLS that my buyer would like to see, I immediately contact the real estate agent who has listed that house and speak to them directly.By doing so, you’re finding out the ins and outs of what is going on in the house.Number one question, any offers on the house?And they’ll say yes, no.But it gives you a sense of what’s available right now in real time.That’s so important because I know so many times people are disappointed because they see a house they want. They go and talk to the agent the next day and finally contact them.They want to make an appointment and there’s an offer and acceptance.So, once there is an offer and acceptance on a home, generally a seller will allow other people to come in and look.If they want to make an offer, that’s known as a backup.However, once the offer and acceptance has been consummated, the buyer is then ready to move on that deal.So just keep in mind that’s the importance of the MLS and it’s really real-time data. This is the world that we all live in!That’s my point today.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well good afternoon everybody. My name is Chris BergerI’m a licensed real estate agent in the Hudson Valley region and it’s time for another Berger Point.Down through the years I’ve had associations with different attorneys and to my advantage, thankfully, our relationship worked very well as far as helping my buyer or helping my seller make the deal.And a long time ago, an instructor told me —- and I was kind of shocked about this —- is that attorneys can be deal makers or deal breakers.However, let’s tell you a quick story…One time I was representing a buyer and the seller’s attorney just thought that the buyer’s attorney didn’t want to make the deal.So, as a result, neither one would speak to each other anymore.They would communicate just through text or email, just crazy, beyond frustrating.I have a buyer who’s crying, saying, why can’t we go through with this deal?So anyway... I get this bright idea.I call the seller’s attorney directly.And after speaking with him, I told him that the buyer’s attorney thinks you don’t want to make the deal.So he thanked me for the cooperation and said he will try to address it and take care of it.Same day, a few minutes later, I call our attorney, the buyer’s attorney, and I said to him, the seller’s attorney thinks you don’t want to make the deal.He wants to talk to you and settle up the problems today.Can we do this?Can we move forward?Well, I didn’t know that. I wasn’t aware of it.Okay. Well, because of my polite interference, the attorneys talked.The next day, the ball started rolling and in less than three weeks later because we were more than ready to close we actually closed, but the lines of communication have to be left open.This is super important.So, get yourself a good attorney look at different reviews and always, always keep lines of communication wide open.And that's my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everyone. My name is Chris Berger, and it’s time for a Berger Point.You know, when a home has been on the market for a while, it’s on the market for 519.And typically, if you check the comparables around the area, you know, within a couple of miles, same square footage, say 2000 square feet, and they’re all selling around 500,000.And your house at 519 is not selling.So what do I do?How can I make this thing sell?Take it off the market for 30 dayAnd then once you put it back on the market 30 days later, it will appear as a new listing.But in addition to that, it will give you some time to look at the comps, what happened over the past 30 days, what sold.So you may find out that, you know, houses are selling around 510.So that’s maybe what you should bring your house back on the market at, 510.It makes a difference.But don’t waste time leaving it on the market.And that’s my point today.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everyone. My name is Chris Berger, and it’s time for Berger Point.You know, one of my clients had this happen to them. It was a seller.He sold his house, and the buyers were extremely happy at the closing.However, there was just one problem. The seller had no place to go.The arrangements that he made to move out just didn’t work out, so he had to stay in the home another month.So what’s the solution?Well, certainly that seller can stay with relatives. Didn’t want to do that. They could rent a hotel. They didn’t want to do that either.So they went to the people who just purchased their home, the buyers, and asked them if they could rent back their house for 30 days.The buyers were actually renting their apartment, so they were okay with it.And they got a little extra money for a month’s rent from the seller.And the seller was thrilled because now all the pressure was off.The seller could now take that 30 days to start to move out.And the buyers, well, yes, they were a little disappointed that they couldn’t move in.The bottom line is the seller was happy. The buyers were happy. The deal was consummated because the seller didn’t have a place to go, wanted to pull out of the deal.So it was resolved. That’s a great point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon.My name is Chris Berger and it’s time for a Berger Point.You know, one of the things that we see in the listing as is, and recently I took a client to see a home and it was listed as is.And looking at the pictures, it looked fantastic.But in addition to that, it just said cash only.So, okay, the red flags go up. What exactly is going on?Well, I did speak to the listing agent and she informed me that the property itself did not have a CO, which is a certificate of occupancy. Okay.Well, the home can be purchased with cash.However, if a person wants to apply for a mortgage because the home does not have a CO, it’s not going to work.So look for that, but don’t be so alarmed as when you see something as is that it frightens you awayfrom looking at the house because today in today’s environment, more and more sellers are putting up a home as is.And generally the problems are minor.For example, one red flag might be a buried oil tank still on the property.Well, between the buyer, buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent, this can be negotiated.So pursue it.Just be aware.Have a good inspector.Inspect the properties for buyers, and you’ll be okay.And that’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everyone. My name’s Chris Berger, and yes, it’s time for Berger Point.Recently, I had a client, and we looked at a home that was recently redone.It was bought at an auction.The seller completely redid it from the basement to the top of the attic.It was just done beautifully. What a great job they did.Outside, perfect.My point for a seller, when we come to look at a house, all the lights should be on because that makes its best appearance.Put the lights on in the closet, put the lights on in the basement, the garage, just so we don’t have to turn them on.In addition to that, if it’s cold outside, put the heat on, make sure it’s 70 degrees.On the flip side, if it’s hot outside, put the air conditioning on.Make sure it’s 70 degrees.Because to make that kind of impression on the buyer, it’s just a win-win.So we went downstairs and it was a little cool.And so, you know, I advised her strongly to come back for a second look. and she did that.But in between the first look and the second look,I told her, I said, “You know why the cellar was a little cool?”I mean, the basement was completely redone. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.I said, “Because there’s no heat there!”And she was astonished.So we talked about it a little bit.And after viewing it for the second time, again, she loved the house.However, because the downstairs had no heat,She just wasn’t interested.And paying that kind of money, she didn’t want to put another $20,000 or $30,000 into the house.And that’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody.My name is Chris Berger and it’s time for a Berger Point.You know, recently I worked with a client who was looking at a million dollar home and very excited about to buy it.However, suddenly it appeared that seller wanted all cash and that’s the only way they were going to sell it.So my buyer was deeply disappointed.However, we talked about it and I said, you know, there are people today, companies that offer quick cash and it’s called a hard money lender.And usually the interest rates are reasonable.And so she researched it and found out that, yes, indeed, she would qualify for hard money lender.Now, how do you qualify?Well, basically good credit.You have to have good credit anyway if you’re going to get a mortgage.But the most important thing is that with a hard money lender, they can close within 30 days.And what’s nice too is that you can go and after reading the fine print, and of course have your attorney look it over, you can convert that to a conventional mortgage, usually within a year or two.So it’s nothing but a win-win situation.My client was happy because they were able to buy the house, whereas previously they thought they couldn’t.And that’s my point.Join me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Well, good afternoon, everybody. My name is Chris Berger, and yes, it’s time for a Berger Point.You know, it’s brought to my attention sometimes when the seller is sitting with their home and they want to sell it quicker.What can they do?Well, actually, they can offer a 1% concession to the buyer.And this could be printed in the MLS so that the buyer is aware of it.And this will attract a boatload of buyers to your home.So what’s the downside?Well, okay.For example, home is going to cost $500,000.The seller is going to offer a 1% concession.So 1% of $500,000 is $5,000.So now at the closing, the buyer can then use that concession.$5,000 towards their closing.It’s a win-win situation.The seller sells his home much quicker.The buyer is thrilled because they have to pay less closing costs.It works and it makes everybody happy.And that’s my point.***Today I’m wearing my Star Trek hat and being part of the whole Star Trek generation, one of the greatest lines ever uttered is “Live long and prosper.”And that’s a great point for all of us.Have a great day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bergerpoints.substack.comJoin me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com

Hello everybody, my name is Chris Burger and it’s time for Berger Point.You know, looking back over the years, I worked over 20 years in a masonry supply yard with my partner and we sold all kinds of products to help build a house.And one of the things that we really loved was concrete pavers.Why? Because concrete pavers really made a difference in your appearance and showing off your home.Concrete pavers are very strong and they’ll stand up for the life of your home, which is really important.So you’ll always have that improvement.What do you have to look for?Well, basically the size, the shape, the color, and how the color holds up.The cost of the concrete paver is approximately $2 a square foot.What the contractor will do is triple that price.So basically, if we’re talking about $2 a square foot, he’s going to quote you installed $6 a square foot.This way you know he’s being fair with you. And that’s my point.***Today, I love my Outlander hat. Dinna Fash, which means Don’t Worry.Have a great day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bergerpoints.substack.comJoin me on Substack for the latest Berger Points ---> https://bergerpoints.substack.comDownload my 1st Time Home Buyers Guide for FREE --> https://bergerpoints.com