Metro Atlanta CEO talked to John Stemlar, co-founder of Sage Real Estate Advisors, who offered his insight into the Atlanta real estate market and provided advice to prospective homebuyers and sellers. Stemlar, along with his partner, Jeff Muller, established Sage in 2007 to bring fiduciary agency to residential brokerage, and have built a team of professionals with backgrounds in real estate, law, business and consulting.

What inspired you to found Sage?

The inspiration behind Sage was an opportunity to bring fiduciary agency to residential brokerage. Georgia brokerage law does not require fiduciary agency; it allows brokerages and their agents to engage in a number of practices that conflict with the interests of their unwary homebuyer and seller clients.  Nearly all Atlanta brokerages adopt this “faux agency” standard. Sage is the exception; we adopt a conflict-free, fiduciary, representation standard that we call True Agency ^sm.

How does your legal background influence your current career?

Sage was founded on Jeff’s and my legal background—a foundation that distinguishes us from other real estate companies. Deal strategy, contract negotiation skills and client advocacy are second nature to us. Our clients have more confidence and higher expectations than they might otherwise have in a real estate agent.

 Is Atlanta’s housing market officially back? 

The real estate collapse is something of a distant memory. Supply and demand are better balanced and prices in many areas are at or above their 2007 highs. Understand, however, that the “Atlanta Market” is in fact a collection of distinct housing submarkets, each operating independently of one another. For example, the market for two-bedroom midtown high rise condos is very different from that for single family homes in East Cobb, which is quite different from that for new town homes in Sandy Springs. As a homebuyer or seller, it’s important to look beyond broad market statistics and understand the submarket that’s relevant to your situation.

What advice do you have for prospective homebuyers and sellers?

Recognize that you don’t know what you don’t know about buying or selling a home; there are far more opportunities and pitfalls woven into the process and into every transaction than most buyers and sellers would realize. Buyers: understand that good homes sell quickly. You are competing with other buyers; get educated, be decisive and seek ways to get the best price by meeting non-monetary needs of the seller. Seller’s: understand your competition and how position your home in the market relative to your competition.

How should you pick your real estate agent?

Buying and selling a home are among the most important financial and lifestyle moves people make.  Too often, agents are engaged based on name recognition, unqualified referral or social obligation. It is wise to interview several experienced agents. Distinguish between the “self-promoter” and the solid real estate practitioner. No brokerage company or agent has better access to buyers and sellers than any other. Engage the agent that you are confident understands your objectives, knows the real estate marketplace, has strong contract and transaction skill and is committed to promoting your interests.