The Lead based paint issue ! Important info for Buyers, Sellers, Landlords and Renters !  Homes and condos built before 1978 have lead-based paint. Paint that has chipped or is deteriorating, or on surfaces that rub together such as windows and doors, creates lead dust which can pose serious health hazards to occupants and visitors. Before signing a contract, a buyer or renter needs to know if lead is present . For buyers and renters:  Federal law requires that before being obligated under a contract to buy or rent housing built prior to 1978, buyers or renter must receive the following from the home seller or landlord:  An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards titled: "Protect your family from lead in your home". Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building. An attachment to the contract which discloses, if seller is aware or not aware of lead based paint. A request to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. Parties may mutually agree in writing to do an inspection or waive the right for an inspection. Federal law requires that before signing a lease for housing built before 1978, renters must receive the same and an An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a "Lead Warning Statement" and confirms that the seller or landlord has complied with all notification requirements. A real estate agent, we have an important role in protecting the health of families purchasing and moving into a home built before 1978. Buildings will likely to have lead-based paint. Federal law requires you to provide certain important information about lead paint before a prospective buyer is obligated under a contract to purchase your home. Real estate agents must: Inform the seller of his or her obligations under the Real Estate Notification and Disclosure Rule. In addition, the agent is responsible if the seller or lessor fails to comply; unless the failure involves specific lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazard information that the seller or lessor did not disclose to the agent. Read the regulations that includes these requirements. Provide the EPA-approved information pamphlet, and attach it to the purchase contract, or insert language in the contract, a "Lead Warning Statement" and confirmation that you have complied with all notification requirements or that right of inspection has been waived. There are a lot of guidelines and rules and regulations to follow in any real estate transaction. Work with a professional Realtor for best guidance and advise, especially if you look to buy or lease a home in the Charleston SC area where many building were built before 1978 and might not have been fully renovated as of this date. You can search for homes on my website at www.DefinitelyCharleston.com or reach out to me at 843-345-2625 or mail to:uappleby@gmail.com  

Fall is here and soon the holiday season is upon us. While that brings with it a lot of joy and excitement – it also brings with the most dreaded season for landlords to fill their units. Simply put – people don’t like to move between Thanksgiving and the New Year so renting property can be both difficult and stressful.  How to overcome this problem.? Here are some of the different strategies used by seasoned investors and some thoughts from landlords to handle this problem: a) try not to end in the Fall, but December 31st or mid January is okay, because leasing picks up again at that time. b) best to wait it out and not take a tenant out of desperation. It will be far worse in the long run.! c) distinguish the “must moves” from the “I want to move” tenants based on income verification and leasing information (where are they at with their current lease). If they are desperate for relocation, hold off because it is more of a hassle in the long term, but if they legit want to move, try to want them to stay by making some upgrades and improvements. It is better to lose 3 months of rent to keep it vacant than get someone in and evict them down the road. d) An eviction can cause up to 6 months rent ! Always think long-term ! An option is to lower the rent ($50 max) or wait it out. Each month the tenant pool gets bigger. Starting in March, there will be a lot more people looking again to lease. e) Keep the 50% rule in mind. No matter how long you’ve had a tenant, save 10% of the revenue for vacancies/evictions/nonpayments & put it into a separate reserve. d) People always love incentives i.e. a free TV at move in, 1/2 off first month, $25 gift card a month to Starbucks, Target, or anywhere else. Be innovative and creative: pay the tenant’s electricity bill for the first two months of the lease. In the lease, just make sure to cap the amount of the utility to a certain amount. e) For an annual leases, set the end of the first lease to be June ( + or – one month) to coincide with the school year. Looking for investment property ?! With 4 offices in the Charleston area, we can manage your investment property and handle all tenant issues. Feel free to contact me to discuss what you are looking for. I can be reached at 843-345-2625 or mailto: uappleby@gmail.com   Ute Lisa Appleby, Realtor AGENTOWNED REALTY CO., Mt Pleasant SCReal Estate/Leasing/Property Managementcell:    843.345.2625      efax:  843.725.6501 www.DefinitelyCharleston.com        www.agentownedrealty.com