You want to relocate to a new Atlanta neighborhood, so you hop in the car one Sunday afternoon and cruise the area. You spot several homes with real estate signs sitting in the yard, but that does not necessarily mean you have found your dream home. In fact, there are some things you need to look for on every real estate sign.
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What is it advertising?
Pay close attention to what the sign says. It’s easy to glance at a real estate sign and assume it says “House for Sale” when it really says “House for Rent” or “House for Lease.” It may even be an “Open House” sign which means you can check the place out today, assuming the sign is not outdated.
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Is it pending?
You also want to make sure the sign does not say “Sale Pending” anywhere on it. This does not necessarily mean the house is no longer available, but it does mean a buyer is on the verge of closing on the home. Of course, a buyer can always back out of the contract, so if it is something you really want, keep an eye on it.
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What is the contact info?
Most real estate signs have, at the very least, the name of a real estate agency and phone number on it. Many list a specific real estate agent to contact and his or her personal number. Pay close attention to ensure you reach the right person to learn more about the house, because most listings show up on dozens of websites and finding the right agent can become confusing.
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Are there other details?
Some signs may provide you with other details about the house, such as how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has, whether or not the price has been reduced, or if it has any amenities like a swimming pool or a three-car garage. In some cases, the sign may provide a free paper handout with the price, pictures of the interior and some details about the home’s features.
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Is the sign in good condition?
If the sign looks old, worn and tattered, and a storm did not just blow through town, you can probably count on a few things. One, the house has been for sale for a long time. This could mean it has an undesirable problem. Or it could be a perfectly fine home, but the agent is either too overwhelmed or lacks interest, so he or she does not devote much time to the property. In this case, you may not want to do business with the agent. On the other hand, a clean, professional sign may showcase the agent’s professionalism, and attention-grabbers like fresh balloons tied to the sign may indicate that the agent is willing to go the extra mile.
If you are looking for a real estate agent who is always professional and going the extra mile, contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 404.237.5000.