Eric Bramlett's Blog: Articles

Purchasing your new home is very exciting, but can also be a bit intimidating. If you make a decision hastily, you run the risk of buyer’s remorse. However, if you don’t organize your search well, it can drag on much too long – which can cause just as much stress. A systematic approach will ensure that you are able to make a sound decision in a reasonable amount of time. Follow these steps, and you will find a great home, with confidence & ease!

1)Get Pre-Qualified & Choose Your Top Monthly Payment.
Pre-qualification is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. It still amazes me how many buyers want to skip this process and immediately begin looking at houses – and how many Realtors are willing to work this way! … Read Full Post

Selling your first home can be a nerve-wracking experience. When buying your first home, it’s normal to be a bit scared – but also excited & with plenty of plans for the future. However, when it’s time to finally sell your largest investment, many sellers are filled with questions and doubt. Will my home sell? How should I price it? What do I need to do to make sure it’s in showing condition? When it’s time to sell your largest investment, you need sound guidance & advice. Follow these tips to your first successful sale.

1) What Was Once Your “Home” is Now Your “Property”
It’s normal to be emotional about your home. You’ve celebrated holidays, entertained friends & family, & hopefully have great memories in your home. However, as soon as… Read Full Post

HUD homes offer many buyers the chance to purchase their home with built in equity, and allows investors some fantastic deals, as well. When the foreclosure rate is particularly high, as it is in 2007, HUD’s inventory swells, and there are deals to be made. HUD deals are very different from traditional purchases, however, so make sure and follow sound advice before purchasing your first HUD home. Follow these tips, and you will be on your way.

1) All HUD Homes Aren’t Great Deals
Many buyers mistakenly assume that, if the US Department of HUD is selling, it must be a great deal. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Many Realtors relentlessly market HUD homes to drum up business, and this can create a glut of HUD buyers. When the HUD… Read Full Post

Your credit report and credit score makes huge differences in your life, and in your finances. If you have a great credit score, your home, car, insurance, and more will cost you thousands less because you are deemed “credit worthy.” If you have poor credit, you can be denied a home loan, refinance, and even auto insurance. Yet, most people have absolutely no idea what is necessary to improve their own credit score to accomplish their goals. If you follow these tips, you are sure to see your score improve.

1) Avoid Fee Credit Repair Services
Everyone has seen the credit repair signs on the side of the road and the advertisers online promising to fix your credit – for a fee. Although there may be reputable credit repair specialists somewhere, I… Read Full Post

New home communities are more popular than ever!  With good reason – new home builders are using popular, open floor-plans, including appliances, sod, and blinds, and helping make it easier than ever to get into a new home with little or no money.  New home transactions typically seem a lot easier, as well.  If a buyer chose to, they could get through a new home transaction without contacting anyone except the on-site sales agent!  However, this would open you up to HUGE losses.  Take these simple steps to protect yourself in a new home transaction, and to ensure that yours is a success.

1) Use a Realtor Who Has New Home Sales Experience
Many people think that they can save money by not using, or don’t need the services of a Realtor when buying a new… Read Full Post

As a real estate broker, I meet plenty of people at dinner parties who, when the subject comes up, mention that they are real estate investors.  The conversation will go on for a bit, and I typically classify the person in question as either a true investor, or a real estate “investor.”  True investors typically have a number of transactions under their belt, realize that they’re still learning, and are open to any insight I can provide – and I am always open to their insight.  The real estate “investor” typically has never actually taken the leap and bought a property purely for investment, doesn’t realize the difficulties of real estate investment, and proceeds to overwhelm me with their “expert knowledge.”  What they should do, is listen.

1)    It’s… Read Full Post

4) Lack of Proper Funding
If you've taken the time to create your business plan, than you should definitely have your budget, but I can't stress enough the importance of having and following your budget. However, the budget alone doesn't address the important aspect of funding. 90% of all small businesses fail due to lack of funding. Typically, new agents will want to have 3 months of reserves in savings before taking the leap into full time agency. However, money in the bank isn't the only way to answer the question of funding. Maybe your partner can support you for a certain period of time. You can keep a part-time job that won't interfere with your business as a Real Estate Agent. Many successful waiters make the transition to successful real estate…

Every time I talk to someone about my business and career, it always comes up that "they've thought about getting into real estate" or know someone who has. With so many people thinking about getting into real estate, and getting into real estate - why aren't there more successful Realtors in the world? Well, there's only so much business to go around, so there can only be so many Real Estate Agents in the world. I feel, however, that the inherent nature of the business, and how different it is from traditional careers, makes it difficult for the average person to successfully make the transition into the Real Estate Business. As a Broker, I see many new agents make their way into my office - for an interview, and sometimes to begin their careers. New Real…