http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Anderson_SC-238729/The latest answers submitted by Mark Brian to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/If_a_homeowner_has_lost_his_job_and_is_close_to_de-185436Answer by Mark Brian: Wouldn't an agent already know the answer to this question? But to answer your question, the first thing the homeowner should do is contact their lender. Then they should visit makinghomeaffordable.gov and learn about loan modifications, short sales and the scams that people are using to prey on distressed homeowners. This is a government website and full of good information for distressed homeowners. While the homeowner is doing this they should also be interviewing local licensed real estate agents to find one that is experienced in short sales. I would suggest using an agent that has already performed several short sales.Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:16:05 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/I_already_have_a_realtor_how_can_I_look_at_this_ho-185091Answer by Mark Brian: You should be able to schedule a time to see this home quite easily by calling your REALTOR.Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:13:44 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/is_this_inside_the_city_limits_How_old_is_the_mo-184742Answer by Mark Brian: Outside city limits and looks to be less than 2 miles to city limit.Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:45:45 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Foreclosure/Hi_I_live_in_South_Florida_We_recently_moved_into-182194Answer by Mark Brian: David is very correct about contacting an attorney and besides, your lease is with the owner, not the HOA so why would you give them the rent? If I were you, I would be calling a local real estate attorney ASAP!Tue, 1 Dec 2009 07:05:11 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/closing_and_vacating-181756Answer by Mark Brian: Your contract should state when possession will occur and your agent should be able to tell you when this exactly is. It is normal for it to occur at closing.Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:11:44 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Is_Beacon_ShoresDrive_for_sale_-180076Answer by Mark Brian: It does not show as an active listing in the Western Upstate MLS, it was sold back in January of this year. For up to date listings you can contact me and i will send you listings straight from the MLS to your email.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:57:37 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Planning_a_move_to_Greenville_We_would_love_for_s-178141Answer by Mark Brian: What your definition of a reasonable driving distance to downtown Greenville may be different than other people. I would hesitate to recommend an area without knowing how far is too far for you. And there are so many great areas in the Upstate that are not in Greenville, especially when you start talking about mountain views.Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:57:00 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/are_they_willing_to_rent_-177592Answer by Mark Brian: Since this is a FSBO you will probably have to contact the owner. You will have to click on view more details and then click on contact seller. Hope that helps!Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:57:30 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Real_Estate_Commission_Greenville_SC_Please_rep-177194Answer by Mark Brian: I think that the best method to use in deciding upon a commission is to look at the commission rate of the comps you used to price the property.Sat, 7 Nov 2009 10:01:59 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Is_there_a_chance_a_builder_will_pay_closing_costs-176775Answer by Mark Brian: All they can do is say no if you ask. I would double check with your lender about the eligibility of that particular property for a Rural Housing Loan. Your agent should be able to help you with these questions and write up the offer to have the seller cover your closing costs.Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:02:03 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/My_wife_and_I_are_interested_in_this_home_Please-174601Answer by Mark Brian: The MLS shows this home as being under contract. I suggest finding a REALTOR to assist you with accurate and up to date information.Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:48:56 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/We_saw_this_house_a_while_back_and_really_love_it_-174116Answer by Mark Brian: I am sorry but this home shows as being under contract in the MLS.Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:10:38 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Is_this_home_still_for_sale_There_is_a_for_rent_s-173958Answer by Mark Brian: It shows as withdrawn in the Western Upstate last month. I am not sure why it is active in the Anderson MLS and withdrawn in the Greenville MLS. For up to date information I suggest you find an agent in the area you are looking to assist you. Good luck with your home search and have a great day!Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:26 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Foreclosure/I_am_looking_for_a_bank_owned_property_in_Lake_Wyl-173376Answer by Mark Brian: I suggest searching right here on Trulia for an agent that works in that area or better yet check out Activerain.com to find agents that work in this area. Read their blogs, the questions they have answered on websites such as this one and others. Then call them and do a phone interview to determine which one you want to ask to be your Buyers Agent and assist you in getting up to date information regarding foreclosed properties in the area you are looking at.Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:19:45 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/UGH_FSBO_is_not_working_for_us-172709Answer by Mark Brian: There is not a standard % REALTORs receive for selling a home. But I would suggest not basing your decision on who charges the least but on who actually gets the job done.Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:18:34 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Financing/checking_if_you_work-171327Answer by Mark Brian: All day every day that ends in YTue, 13 Oct 2009 16:39:39 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Is_this_a_waterfront_dockable_property_If_so_we-171091Answer by Mark Brian: Oh and the community amenities are: Pool Tennis Dock Golf Course Walking Trail Fitness Facilities Club House Playground Gated Community Water Access Boat Ramp Other - See Remarks Common Area Pets Allowed Storage So while much less than the others, you might still be able to enjoy the lake at a lower price. Good luck with your search for a Keowee Lake front home!Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:31:29 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Is_this_a_waterfront_dockable_property_If_so_we-171091Answer by Mark Brian: There are 5 lots for sale in the MLS on Saranac, 4 are waterfront and there is one that is not. I would guess the lot that is not waterfront is the one that you are asking about since it is $180,000. The rest run from $495,000 to $679,000 and several state in the MLS that they have docks in place.Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:24:46 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/I_call_three_times_already_to_see_this_house_and_I-170961Answer by Mark Brian: I cannot say why you were stood up. I would suggest using the link below to double check if someone is licensed as a real estate agent in SC with the Real Estate Commission.Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:31:59 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/Why_should_real_estate_agents_and_surveyors_have_a-170116Answer by Mark Brian: A recent survey is always a plus when selling. Consumers want information, and a survey is one heck of a good piece of info regarding a property.Thu, 8 Oct 2009 11:59:35 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/What_do_all_of_you_think_about_ownerwiz_com_out_of-167641Answer by Mark Brian: I strongly, no make that very strongly, suggest you do not sign anything or click anything on that website until after the attorney you have hired to protect you looks at everything. Be careful. And remember if a deal sounds too good to be true it probably is.Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:24:19 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Financing/How_do_you_go_about_getting_a_USDA_rural_loan_with-167134Answer by Mark Brian: My suggestion is to talk with lenders that in the area you are looking at that are experienced with successfully closing USDA loans for consumers such as yourself. Your Realtor should have a list of lenders that fit this description for you to choose from.Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:47:48 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Found_a_house_I_love_but_it_is_about_K_higher_tha-166908Answer by Mark Brian: Some people might say that the only way to know what the seller will take is to make an offer and start the negotiating process or wait until it sells and see if the purchase amount is recorded with the county. Your Realtor will be able to advise you on what is a realistic selling price for this home. It is hard for us to say since we would have to research the specific home, talk with the other listing Realtor and then look at market conditions as they relate to this specific home, recently sold comps & active competitve listings, purchase amount paid by the seller, any mortgage on the property, etc etc to help determine what could realistically be expected. If you do not have a Realtor, I would suggest finding one to represent you to ensure you can get a great deal! Good luck with your home search!Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:35:35 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/is_this_infoxwood_hills_subdivision_what_is_the_-162513Answer by Mark Brian: Since this listing is from Realtytrac, and their info is usually outdated, I would ignore this. There is not a home on Pine Wood, and only one on Pinewood in Westminster in the MLS. That one sold this year, it was a foreclosure. I am in the business, and could pay for Realtytrac subscription and just write it off on taxes but it is so useless there is no reason to deal with them. Especially since I use the MLS for up to date and accurate information on foreclosures. If you want to find foreclosures, the best way is to find a Buyers Agent that will help you. I believe the Foxwood Hills POA is $345 per year.Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:41:37 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/My_home_is_listed_as_a_flat_fee_service_how_do_i_g-160503Answer by Mark Brian: If your home is on the MLS then the REALTORS have the information. The networking of local REALTORS cannot be underestimated and sadly some flat rate companies may not have the local presence to get the word out. As I am sitting here, I have tweetdeck open with constant networking on both twitter and Facebook with other local REALTORS. Plus there are other websites that I use to network with REALTORS from not just around the state but around the world. Every time I leave the house, I see some one either in the business or a former client/customer. And I talk to them about real estate as it might apply. Flat rate listings often miss this critical aspect. The best thing I can suggest is hosting a REALTOR open house. It will need to be from 11AM to 1PM, serve a catered lunch and have the attendees put their cards in a bowl for drawings for giveaways. Print up flyers and deliver them to all the local real estate offices.Wed, 2 Sep 2009 11:31:12 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Refinish_s_hardwood_floors_to_quot_wow_quot_pote-160458Answer by Mark Brian: Considering you said you could spend a little it might be a good idea. If the floors look worn or uncared for, potential buyers may think other areas of the home have been neglected.Wed, 2 Sep 2009 09:39:54 PDT