Barbara Jayko Gerich

06/29/2024

TO ALL HOME BUYERS: On August 17th a Realtor CAN NOT show you a home unless you have signed agreement with them. (Unless you request a showing through the listing agent.) Usually it’s not a problem and we can zip over, show it to you and be done, however, starting August 17th no Realtor will be able to unlock a door for you without you first signing that agreement. This will be non negotiable for any person with a Realtor designation. The usual form between buyer and Realtor is a Buyers Representation Agreement (however any written agreement to show a property will suffice. It doesn’t have to be a buyers rep. A buyers rep (if that’s what you sign) is basically your contract between you and that realtor saying you will be using them to buy a home and breaking down the roles, duties and responsibilities owed to you by your agent etc. This is not something we want to do, but are being required to do.

Picking the agent you want to use to help you buy a home is an important decision and not one that should be forced upon you just to see a home. The good news is that we get to decide when it expires, so although you may have to sign one, if you’re not ready yet to fully commit to a Realtor, you can always request an agreement that expires in a day, a week, a month, etc.. lastly, please don’t yell at your local realtors if they want you to sign something before showing you a home. We don’t have a choice. 

07/07/2015

5 Mistakes Sellers Make ( I can help you avoid them):

After years of dead open houses, price reduction after price reduction and failed attempts to sell homes, many real estate markets are picking up. This could be welcome news to someone who has been forced to have kids share a bedroom, suffer through a long commute or any number of reasons why folks…

06/22/2015

Have you been trying to sell your home for a while now, but nothing's happening? Maybe it's the price, poor staging, or not enough exposure. If you could use professional insight, want to switch realtors, or switch from a sale by owner to selling through a realtor, give me a call. Read this article for some ideas: http://www.realtor.com/news/ask-a-realtor/why-wont-my-house-sell-after-months-on-the-market/

ByRealtor.com Team12:57 pm ETApril 4, 2012May 19, 2015 Q: I have had my house listed for four months now. There were about 10 open houses with no offer, what seems

05/26/2015

Ready to purchase a new home and looking for the most reliable lender? While I can't approve you myself. I can refer you to some of the best lenders in Michigan. Check out this list of contacts available through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority:

Michigan State Housing Development Authority -

05/11/2015

Are you ready to buy a home in the Troy, Michigan area? Be sure to seek out a reputable realtor such as myself to help you through the process. Don't fall for these common scams while doing your research:

Real estate scams are a big problem in today’s real estate market thanks to homeowners desperate to stave off foreclosure and con artists who are eager to rip off those looking to buy or rent. It can be hard to know a legitimate opportunity when it comes along, especially if that opportunity seems t…

04/13/2015

If you are thinking about home ownership but aren't sure how you'll afford it, Michigan has a wealth of resources for first time home buyers, including down payment grants. There are credit and income requirements, but if you are interested in learning more, click on the link below, Owning a home may be easier than you think.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority | LARA - Grants and Loans Programs

03/30/2015

Are thinking about putting your house up for sale? Has it been on the market for a little while, but you haven't had any offers yet? Check out these 12 gadgets that will help you sell your home faster:

From drones to capture aerial shots to high-quality videos, sellers are pulling out all the stops.

03/16/2015

Have you ever looked at a stunning home that was on the market, only to see a small "for sale by owner" sign in the yard? Did it make you nervous to find out the seller doesn't have a realtor? While you have the option to sell your home by yourself, there are a lot of risks involved. It's important to have the experience and support of a reliable realtor on your side. Read about the risks of NOT using a realtor here:

If you’re thinking about listing your home as for sale by owner, there are some positives and negatives you need to understand before selling your home.

02/16/2015

Because I love what I do and want to provide the best services possible to every client, I encourage you to choose your real estate agent wisely. Hopefully, you choose me, but here are some questions to ask before you commit to a realtor:

Consider communication style, longevity in the business and more to find the right fit.