Realtor Amanda

08/15/2024

🛑🛑 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒 🛑🛑

‼️ 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏7th ‼️
All buyers looking to purchase any residential property MUST sign a “Buyer Representation Agreement” before walking into a property.

🏡 𝐂𝐀𝐍’𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄?
Starting August 17th, no REALTOR will be able to unlock a door without you first signing the agreement. This is non-negotiable and is part of a legally binding settlement for all REALTORS.

📃 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭…𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐎 𝐈 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍?
The Buyer Representation Agreement is a contract between you, as the Buyer, and your REALTOR. It outlines the details of your relationship, roles and responsibilities, and the REALTOR’s compensation. The compensation/commission stated is the MAXIMUM amount your broker/agent can receive from the transaction.

💵 𝐒𝐎, 𝐁𝐔𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍?
Well, yes…but actually, maybe no…
The agreement states that the Buyer is responsible for commissions; however, there are situations where others, including the Seller or the Listing Broker, may cover this cost. Reach out to me if you have questions about your specific scenario.

📜 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄?
Historically, Sellers paid the Listing Broker a commission, which was then shared with the Buyer’s Broker. However, this led to a misunderstanding that “The Seller pays the Buyer’s Agent,” which isn’t entirely accurate. This misconception resulted in a class-action lawsuit, driving these changes. With the new NAR settlement, Agents/Brokers cannot advertise ANY compensation via the MLS, meaning Buyer’s Agents aren’t guaranteed compensation like before.

🤔 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐈 𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓? 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐈 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓?
The agreement will outline the termination process, so it’s crucial to interview and hire your Buyer Representation carefully.
📝 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬:
1️⃣ The length of the agreement is determined by you and your agent—it can be as short or as long as you both agree.
2️⃣ Keep in mind that specifics can vary from state to state, so be sure to clarify the terms before signing.

🤝 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 & 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍👍
Choosing a professional REALTOR is more critical than ever to successfully closing on your next property purchase. With August 17th approaching, a lot of changes are happening behind the scenes. This new rule with the Buyer Representation Agreement is just one aspect of the NAR settlement, which is rapidly changing the real estate industry nationwide. Be sure to talk to any potential agent about their knowledge of the new rules and process.

If you have any questions about your situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out! 📲

Amanda Russell, Licensed REALTOR
219-359-5574

05/02/2024

Y’all, I have a confession.

I have been practicing real estate with one foot in for the past 6 years, always thinking that I would return to social work.

I LOVED being the one to stand out front, looking mean, and DARING anyone to play with the ones standing in my protection. I made a very successful career out of negotiating and advocating for those who needed help, and I became-for my clients-the person I needed when I was younger.

For the last 6 years, I have been learning what it actually means to be a REALTOR. See, admittedly, I hadn’t thought much about it before I got into it. For me, it was a way to take a much-needed break from the emotionally intense world of social work, that I knew I would eventually return to. I thought it would be a stress-free way to make my own hours and pay the bills until I returned to the work that ‘mattered.’

Then I sold a home for a family who couldn’t afford to pay me, and I forfeited my commission to keep them out of bankruptcy.

I sold the home of an old friend who was contemplating su***de, because he couldn’t keep up with his mortgage.

I fought THREE attorneys and two judges to save a home that medicare wanted to seize.

I taught a family how to use the law to protect their home by using a trust.

I have helped countless people (who never thought home ownership was possible for them) to fix their credit, and then I cried at the closing table when they got the keys.

I have gotten property taxes lowered for people I didn’t know. I have helped people get their landlords to fix problems in their homes. I have donated tens of thousands of dollars to various charities, and set up my own scholarship fund.

I sponsor community events. I visit with people who have nobody else. I volunteer to teach high school students how to start a small business.

And my husband has watched me do all of this—-and wanted a piece of it.

Today, I make 2 announcements 1. that I will no longer practice with one foot in. I will continue to advocate for my real estate clients with the same passion and fervor that I always have, but with ZERO intention of stepping into another role. And 2. You now get both of us.

I am your REALTOR for life, and today I welcome my husband to my team.

Mike comes from a strong and integrative construction background. He has an eye for a great deal (I mean, HELLO?? He married me!) and is just as avid of a protector and advocate as I am.

We don’t care who you are, what you’re looking to spend, or where you come from. We are here for you.

I present to you the Russell Real Estate Team ❤️

03/11/2024

Agent friends:

We are going to be listing our house for sale sometime in the next four weeks! Here’s what I’ve got: it’s a five bedroom, 3 bath, completely two-story on a concrete crawl in the Lakeside subdivision of Highland on almost a half acre with an above ground pool, badass tree house, and a large patio.

My house has two master suites, a gigantic eat-in kitchen with a huge island, custom walnut open shelving and granite countertops. Main floor laundry and owners’ suite with a walk in closet, and 2 living rooms (each with new hickory hardwood flooring). All of the bedrooms except to have walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, and washer and dryer stay, and we have nearly everything in the last five years. Here is a list of updates:

2018-main house AC and boiler replaced (house has on control with five zones, and a heated floor in the owners’ bath)

2018/2019-brand new kitchen appliances, complete kitchen remodel, including new cabinets, countertops, shelving, complete remodel of powder room

2020/2021-new roof, with partial tear off, complete remodel of upstairs bathroom

2022-present-new AC unit in owners suite and office, brand new hardwood flooring, and porcelain tile throughout the main level, custom built-ins in the living room, Hickory staircase

The house has been freshly painted, and we are just finishing up a few last little projects. Let me know if you have anyone interested, and I will let you know before I put it on the market!

01/21/2024

I have BUYERS! Anyone want to sell? Let me know!

10/25/2023

09/07/2023

Come see DeeDee Griggs and me this Sunday!

08/24/2023

Join us this Saturday!

08/19/2023

New Listing Alert!

Auburn Meadows
Schererville
$229,900
2 Beds, 1 3/4 Baths
Upper Unit
$175/Month HOA
Large master with en suite and double closets!

GORGEOUS, well-maintained condo available NOW!

08/15/2023

Limited appointments available for September!