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How many signs for homes for sale do you see on a daily basis? It seems like they are everywhere right now. On my way home this week, I counted seven within a two mile area.

With so many realtors vying for your attention, how do you know who to call if you want to buy or sell your house? The best thing to do is to get a referral from someone that you trust. From my perspective, the two most important traits in realtors (and anyone providing a service) are really good communication skills and attention to detail.

I recently did a closing with a realtor involved in her first transaction. The most helpful thing that she did was tells me that this was her first closing, so that I wouldn’t assume that she knew everything I needed her to do to prepare; Although she was green to the process, she had excellent communication skills, which made the transaction seamless and a pleasure for all involved.

Similarly, a very experienced realtor that I am working with identified a potential, significant issue with a property that would have effected the use and enjoyment of the premises, before the purchase and sale was even initiated; because of her diligence, the Buyers saved a lot of time and money, not to mention stress.

On that theme, I found a recent article discussing the top 5 signs what makes a realtor not the one that you want to work with: http://www.propertycluster.com/blog/bad-real-estate-agents-top-5-signs/

The sudden death of Antonin Scalia has renewed an important and often overlooked conversation in America about the process of replacing a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the debate over whether the current President of the United States (“POTUS”) or his successor will nominate the inheritor of Scalia’s seat has greatly overshadowed his accomplishments.

Regardless of whether you agreed with Scalia, he demanded respect. He displayed a quick whit and candor in his legal opinions. He challenged attorneys to answer difficult questions, even before they were done presenting their cases. He demonstrated an ability to build and maintain a close friendship with someone who was his polar opposite politically. Even as a member of the Supreme Court bar, I never had an opportunity to meet him; however, those who had the pleasure have told me that he made you feel instantly comfortable and important, even though he was one of the most intimidating figures in modern history.

It is likely that the current POTUS will be the one to nominate Scalia’s successor. Even if the current POTUS nominates the heir to the Scalia seat, there are three (3) spots which are likely to be open within the next few years due to the age of the current justices. Hopefully, who ever is nominated in the future focuses on process, not agenda; however, it is nearly impossible to eliminate political affiliation and thought process. Therefore, it is SO important to consider the power of POTUS nomination when you go to vote. In the meantime, please enjoy this article that Time magazine recently posted about the process of replacement:

How the Next Supreme Court Justice Will Be Chosen