​As a consumer, you are stuck with making the difficult decision to choose an Independent Insurance Agent vs. a Captive Insurance Agent when it comes to your insurance needs. You may find yourself asking "What's the difference?"

As an independent agent, my clients typically see a 15-20% reduced rate vs captive agents. In addition, they usually save more in time because we save them hours of time spent shopping with multiple companies. 

Therefore, when making the important decision of who your agent will be, be sure to find the agent who has the best product, service, and price for your needs. In the end, you will be far less stressed knowing that you have suitable coverage if a loss does occur!

​For a side by side comparison of Independent vs Captive Insurance agents, check out the infographic below.  

Terry Mercer
Founder/Agent of Carolina Insurance Alliance
Follow Terry on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/carolinainsuranceallliance or Email Terry at [email protected] 

It's a Sunday afternoon. You and your honey are out driving around looking at homes and neighborhoods and run across a new construction development. The model home has a sign out front that says "Onsite Representative Available" and you all park to take a look at what lies beyond the front door. The onsite representative greets you and asks if you'd like a tour and something to drink. You say yes and follow her to the kitchen to begin your home tour.

​As you gaze at the beautiful furnishings and rooms and talk about the space and how you can see your family in this home, the representative asks if you have any questions and would like to take a package with you. You agree and after finishing your tour you thank her and leave. 

As you drive off, you both are filled with excitement as you talk about how wonderful the home and neighborhood is and decide to call the representative to schedule an appointment to write an offer. 

You forgot to mention that you signed a buyer agency agreement with your real estate professional to the representative!

Now, this may not be an issue, but most new home builders require that a buyer's agent accompany their clients to the neighborhood for if they don't, this could affect their ability to be seen as procuring cause, their ability to assist with writing the offer and receiving a commission.

More importantly, the onsite representative represents the builder and NOT the buyer.  Potentially putting the buyer in a situation where they pay more for the home, upgrades, etc. So with that said, the buyer should have their agent with them when putting together an offer for a new construction property.

One way to avoid this debacle is to tell your agent that you're going to visit a new neighborhood and ask if they can accompany you. If they're unable to, have them contact the new home community and introduce themselves as your agent (onsite agents love when they do this), or let the onsite representative know that you are working with an agent when you arrive and include the agent's contact information on any inquiry forms that you complete.

​Thinking of touring a new construction neighborhood?  Tell me your thoughts below!

Sheryl Merritt
Sheryl Merritt is the CEO/Broker of New Legacy Realty and President of Triangle Board of Realists' 
To contact Sheryl visit www.newlegacyrealty.com.

​Searching for a home on the internet is the #1 way of finding a home in 2018.  Based on research taken by the National Association of Realtors in 2017, 95% of home buyers found their home online.  Although the internet is the #1 way of finding a home, it's not the best way to purchase or sell a home. 
 
Recently, one of my clients was going to use an online service to list their home because they did not have to make any repairs and it was "easy."  I asked them for an opportunity to do a market analysis before they made a final decision.  In the end, the sellers were so happy they said “YES!”  Not only were they going to have to pay the online company 6.2% in fees to sell their home, but they were going to lose approximately $20,000.  Oh yes, it was going to be super easy, but is easy worth $20,000?  Absolutely not!!
 
A home is one of the largest investments most people will ever make.  Therefore, it is extremely important to have an experienced agent with a sharp eye and negotiation skills on your side.  Do not fall prey to online companies who charge high fees, let you walk in a home without an agent being present, and promise you a “hassle-free” experience.  After all, this is a house- not a new gadget that you can easily return.     

What questions do you have about working with a Realtor?  Let me know below!

-Michelle Wilder-Baker
Michelle Wilder-Baker is the Team Leader of the Legacy Group at Allen Tate Realtors.  
Email Michelle at [email protected] or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YourNCHomeExpert. 

Watch as Cathy Edwards talks to WRAL about what you need to do to buy a home and our upcoming FREE home ownership seminar.  

On Wednesday, February 14th, the Federal Reserve said that it expects faster growth and lower unemployment next year as the economy strengthens.  Because of this, Congress is likely to enact sweeping tax cuts for businesses and most families. 
 
Given how healthy the economy looks, the Central Bank has lifted its benchmark interest rate a quarter point to a range of 1.25 percent to 1.5 percent. 
 
So what does this mean for you? 
 
Interest rates are rising.  This affects EVERYTHING that has interest – your interest rates on credit cards, loans and homes!  The higher the rates go, the less you will be able to afford when buying a home.  The goal is to get MORE with your money… not less. 
 
Learning how to invest your hard earned money in real estate is very important.  People who have credit debit, student loans and maybe not enough income think that home ownership is out of reach.  But all of these things have answers if you speak with the right people. 
 
I know the right people to get these answers and I want to put you in contact with them.  But you must first make the conscious decision that you want to take control of your finances and your living situation.  Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 7, 2018 for our next Home Buying Seminar and invite a friend! 
 
Look out for an additional post concerning CREDIT and how to improve it.  In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on this information.  What questions do you have?  Make sure to leave a comment below!

-Cat