Monthly Archives: February 2026

Why Do I Need a Survey?

Why do I need that? I can find the property lines myself.

I hear this a lot, especially if my clients are buying in a subdivision where property lines are fairly obvious.

Well what’s obvious isn’t what you need to worry about. It is the hidden things. Like drainage and sewer easements, wetlands, flood zones, utility or right-of-way easements. These things will dictate, in part, how you can use the land you’re buying, where you can put the detached shop, where you can put a fence, whether your property is a designated ingress for legal access for another party to their property or one they plan to do work on.

Sometimes the underground drainage/sewer easements contain large concrete structures you could walk in. They are there for an important reason and you may never know they’re there unless they are on your property and there’s a problem. And if they fail, you might need to dismantle that shop, move the fence, give up on the landscaping…at your expense, by the way.

A survey will also show you if someone else has encroached on your land…often with a fence, or is using your property for their needs. And…if a legal issue does arise, you having a survey in hand will go a long way towards protecting your interest.

I always cringe at the cost of a survey; however, it is far more important than even the cost indicates. By the way, if you DO have one, it is extremely kind to share that with your listing agent so it can be shared with your future buyers. They will still need to do their own survey, but having the one YOU did in hand, will show them the big green light to purchase your listing.

Get the survey. I promise, it’s worth it for far more than property line location, although it does that too.

Best Regards,

Brenda Briggs, Premier Advantage Realty: 919-210-6113

How Much More will Buyers Pay to get ‘New’?

I like data. I know, some eyes are rolling back, showing blank shark eyes. Sorry not sorry. This matters if you’re going to sell your house. So focus.

It is IMPERATIVE that listing agents know what’s happening in new construction in the area. Make sure they know! How can you make sure? ASK. Why should they know, you ask…

Well, because buyer will OFTEN pay up to 7.5% ABOVE list price, if there’s a brand spanking new house in the area. Do the math. Multiply your asking price by .075 and then add that to your price. If there’s new construction right there, right around that number, or anywhere between THAT price and yours? They’re gonna buy the new house. Why, you might ask? Well because it’s NEW.

This is not rocket science. There are people out here who watch the data and who do the math. But if you don’t know you don’t know. Now you know. If you want to sell your house, you have to get your list price where it needs to be.

I’m never the most popular person at the party, you may have guessed. In part because I like data. Also…I’m not at the party LOL!!! Confessions of a nerd.

But, your agent works for you. Make sure you ask your questions, and also…when your agent tells you that if you don’t get an offer within the typical time on the market, you PROBABLY need to…I know you hate this…LOWER THE PRICE. Except for investors. They are going to SERIOUSLY lowball you because they want you to help them make a profit. Don’t do it.

Buy the way. If an agent does the plug and chug online market analysis, they are giving you a history lesson. YES A HISTORY LESSON. The market is alive. A.Live. There are at least 16 items to consider in a thorough market analysis, not the least of which is the season. School, holiday, wedding…you get the idea. Just find an agent who has time to devote to your specific situation. Because, are you ready for this?

Pricing ‘strategy’ is specifically related to YOUR immediate goals. How about that? It’s not just up to your agent. You are the boss!

Call me and let’s talk numbers. I’m Brenda with Premier Advantage Realty. 919-210-6113.