Real Estate Resolutions Week 2

How are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? If you are on a roll, consider the second installment a congratulations for and continuum of good behavior. If you have not been quite as successful with the “new you,” the below will give you a second chance! As always, questions and comments are welcome.

Buyers’ Resolution #2: Choose your own title attorney; do not let your lender do it for you.

When you buy real estate, you will need to have the title searched. Most closings in Vermont are administered in the buyers’ attorney’s office. When the lender selects the attorney, you are in effect paying the legal fees through a part of your closing costs, while the attorney represents the bank. Most banks will allow you to hire the attorney; the legal fees are still paid from the closing costs, but the attorney’s responsibility is to represent you. If the bank insists on having their own attorney, you may want to hire an attorney on your behalf, as well. I can not emphasize enough, a home purchase is a big investment, big risk, and you want to avoid big problems.

As always, do your research and ask for recommendations from friends, family and (of course)your trusted realtor.


Sellers’ Resolution #2: Order a dumpster before packing that “heirloom” from Grandma.

As you prepare your home for sale, take this opportunity to evaluate your “stuff.” Are you holding onto things that were valuable to a family member, but not to you? Are you about to move a box you packed from your last move ten years ago, but never opened?? Do yourself a favor and clean house now: if you are about to pack and move unopened boxes, open and asses their contents. If you are saving something that you intend to pass down to the next generation, pass it on now; and, if an item has neither use nor sentimental value, consider donating it to a charitable organization with a resale shop or to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Instead of paying a mover, you can take a tax deduction for the donation and be done with it. Items that have no value for re-sale, consider throwing them in the dumpster or better yet, recycle them, but do not move that un-wanted and accumulated “stuff.”

Find a Good Will has locations in Chittenden County to donate clothing and household items at
http://locator.goodwill.org/

ReSource (formerly Recycle North) also accepts donated household items and offers pick-up services: http://www.resourcevt.org/donate-goods-to-resource

Myers Containers "The Red Can Family"is a Waste and Recycle Management company that provides trash services, weekly pick-up and roll offs for residential and commerical properities. Contact President Jeff Myers at jeff@theredcanfamily.com