Open Universal Management

Personal Injury FAQ

Q: Should the Chiropractor be the first person I see or should I see an attorney first?

A: It is always important to be evaluated by a doctor before going to an attorney, so you will be able to have the information from the exam results to be able to decided if seeking out an attorney will be necessary. If seeking legal counsel is the course of action that you would like to take, we can always help with referring you over to a qualified attorney.

Q: During the accident, what if your car only sustained minor damage?

A: Auto accidents at lower speeds, even less than 5 mph, can cause serious damage throughout your entire body. There have been documented research studies that have discussed that the damage an automobile has after an accident has minimal impact and doesn’t directly related to the amount of force going to the neck and body of the passengers in the automobile.

Q: The accident wasn’t my fault, and now I have an injury, Who is paying for my care?

A: In our injury attorney office, we provide the care that is needed for you to get back to pre-injury status on a “credit” plan when patients have an attorney. All car insurance policies have the option for “PIP” coverage or Personal Injury Protection, as this is used to help you pay for these types of injuries. Another option some car insurance companies offer is “Med Pay”, where different medical bills can be authorized to pay up to a certain limit amount at 100%. If you end up using your own coverage for medical reasons, this shouldn’t raise any amount on the premiums that you pay. In our office we can help you get all the required documentation that is needed, to assist you with any information.

Q: I have just got a call from the Insurance Company, and they want to pay me to settle the case, What are my options?

A: You should NOT settle or sign any documentation before the injury that you sustained has resolved back to pre-injury status. You would need to have a medical professional evaluate the injury for further damage that you can’t feel or see. If you end up settling with the insurance company and still have an injury that you need medical attention for, you will be on your own with having to pay for ALL of the bills out of your own pocket.

Q: After the accident I went to the Emergency Room and a Medical Doctor. Is there a need for me to seek the attention of a Chiropractor?

A: That is good that you went to the Emergency room and the Medical doctor to make sure you are not in any life-threatening situation, and they will release you with the prescription for medication for pain relief. When seeing a Chiropractor, we focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the injuries that you have sustained during the accident, and look more into detail regarding your underlying mechanism and cause of injury. Chiropractors assess the way your body mechanics function, and correct any soft tissue or structural damage that may have been caused by the accident.

Q: Does the care a Chiropractor gives after an auto accident painful and safe?

A: Chiropractic care is very safe and gentle, and at our office we have multiple options in the care we provide. We offer multiple techniques that allow our patients to be able to get the care that they desire. Chiropractic care, along with specific neck or back exercises allows your body to have the best functional restoration, which will decrease the chance of getting chronic pain, stiffness, pinched nerves, and degeneration of the spinal discs.

At Image Weight Loss, we create treatment plans and programs that are individualized to each patient. These individual programs are aimed at the wellness needs for each person, as every accident is different for every person that is involved. Our treatment program offers not only chiropractic adjustments, but also massage therapy, and other physio-therapies for corrective care and exercises that will help promote the healing of the injured areas along with decreasing the amount of pain you may be experiencing. Image Weight Loss aims to help restore the structural integrity of the spine, increase flexibility in the muscles and joints, and decrease the overall pain that you are experiencing. We do encourage any car accident victims to call our office and setup an appointment for your injury diagnosis. Call us Today if you have been involved in an Auto Accident because the prompt treatment you will receive could be the overall difference in dealing with a swift recovery or a chronic type of injury that will linger for years to come.

Don’t Make This Mistake When Selling Your home in Friendswood

Getting sued in the real estate industry is very easy. You don’t even have to try very hard. You could do everything correctly and still come out on the losing end of litigation.

Of course, some scenarios make it more likely that you’ll get sued, others less likely. In the course of everyday real estate transactions, as long as everything is documented and you’ve acted within the scope of your license, the risk is low.

However sometimes the risk is just too high and you’ve got to gracefully bow out.

I have a legally operating mind for some reason. I’ve always loved the law and sometimes wish I had gone into that field. I tend to spot potential legal trouble when I see it and as such have been able to avoid it thus far. Wish me luck going forward! LOL

The Scenario

I got a call from a close family friend in Austin. His situation is that he, after 20+ years of marriage, is getting a divorce. He and his wife own two homes, right next door to each other and in order to settle the divorce, he would like to sell one of the homes to pay off his soon to be ex wife and go their separate ways.

As a Friendswood Realtor, you’ve got to be extra careful in divorce situations. Emotions are running high and it could easily be the case that one party or the other sees you as the scapegoat. Everything must be 100% disclosed to both parties equally and all communication overly documented.

He asked me if I would complete a comparable market analysis of both of their homes to see which had the highest proceeds of sale. His thought was to get the highest proceeds of sale so he could pay her off for both houses. Selling one of the homes definitely made this possible due to when they were purchased.

Getting the documentation together has been a chore. The agreement with them to sell the home hasn’t been executed as the wife really doesn’t want the divorce and is stalling regardless of the inevitable. I guess this is common according to my broker. I’ve represented sellers in divorce situations several times but they were all amicable whereas this one is not.

We have been talking for just over a month about their options.

“You Will Lose Money”

Recently, he sent me an email string between he and his soon to be ex wife explaining that he could have a buyer for the house they intend to sell. The buyer offered “fair market value” and would pay “appraised value” for the home if she was able to purchase it. This person is known to both of them and from what I can gather, knows a little about real estate. That’s my sense.

It wasn’t long before I got an email from him asking if I’d be willing to handle the paperwork for them at a reduced commission. This in and of itself didn’t bother me but the scenario began to smell funny.

My red flags went up to full mast! After thinking about it for a few hours, taking the situation into careful consideration, I sat down and constructed an email to him. I explained that this was NOT a good idea and he would lose money in the process. His goal was to make the most money from the house, not simply get it over with quickly.

Some private sales are like that. The seller is selling to a family member and they just want a fair price for the home. This was not that situation.

I explained that there is a significant difference between “fair market value” and “appraised value” and even a difference between appraised value in connection with an open market sale and a private sale.

Fair Market Value In Sacramento Real Estate

There is only one way to get fair market value for the sale of a home and that’s to put it up for sale to the open market where buyers compete. In a market where values are advancing at a fever pitch, multiple offers are everywhere no matter the condition of the home and days on market has been CRUSHED by the demand for homes, this is the only way to know what the market will bear.

In a private sale, in this market, I explained to him that he would lose money no matter what he did to prevent it. There is no way to predict what the market will bear. Some buyers are paying over appraised value for homes right now. Buyers are literally coming out of pocket to make up the difference in cash.

It’s that hot out there right now. Putting your home up for sale on the open market is the ONLY way to ensure you get the most amount of money for your home if of course that’s your goal.

All Appraisals Are NOT The Same

The Sacramento and South Placer County real estate markets are sizzling right now. I mean really hot. I’ve never seen it like this in my 11 years of full time industry experience in the region.

I’ve noticed that appraisers I have worked with over the last 6 or so months are not only looking at the comparable sales for a given home but are also looking at the situations of the sale more closely than in the last few years. Time on the market, were there multiple offers and were they all over full price are questions I have been asked by appraisers lately.

As a result of that, I’m seeing appraisals coming in higher than the comparable sales can support if you’re looking strictly at the black and white numbers. If you think about this, it makes sense.

The real estate market is appreciating and lenders know this. When the market appreciates it reduces the risk for lenders that the borrower will default. If the risk is perceived to be lower, lenders relax a little, want to make home loans and a slightly generous appraisal isn’t given much scrutiny.

But now, take away the situation. Take away multiple, over full price offers, the time on the market and what are you left with? Just black and white numbers. Appraisers don’t do well in this scenario. I’ve seen it over and over in my career that when an appraisal is done outside a transaction for the sale of a home, the value comes in lower.

Appraisals not only take into account the comparable sales but they also take into account the market at the time of the appraisal.

As I told my potential seller, I’d rather the market dictate to an appraiser than the appraiser attempting the determine the market. With less information, appraisers most certainly come in with values that are more conservative. That only makes sense.

“Hi Neighbor, Here’s A Lawsuit”

In speaking with my broker about this situation, he mentioned to me that not only was I correct in my assessment of this situation but that the seller could also be sued by his neighbors for accepting less for the home than the property was actually worth.

Selling for less than the home is worth drives down the value of other homes in the area thereby costing other homeowners money in the sale of their homes.

With the inventory of homes for sale so low aka a lack of comparable sales, this is a very real concern.

He had been speaking with a seller that day who asked if he could sue his neighbor for selling too low. Of course, he referred this party to an attorney which is the appropriate as it’s outside the scope of a real estate license to give legal advice.

Why Risk It?

If you’re hell bent on losing money and putting yourself at risk for a lawsuit then have at it. I can’t imagine why anyone would do this in the current market. It’s been proven time and time again that when a seller tries to sell their home without the benefit of professional representation, they lose money.

There is a saying that “the cheap man pays twice”. That has always been my personal experience. Whenever I’ve tried to cut corners, it’s cost me money in the end and it doesn’t matter what it’s for.

Can you sell your home on your own? Sure you can! If you do it correctly you won’t lose as much doing it on your own. That said, why lose money at all and increase your risk of litigation exponentially?

I have told the seller that under no circumstances can I represent he and his soon to be ex in a private sale situation regardless of the commission. The situation is just too risky with all factors considered.

Why not avoid possible litigation altogether and hire me to sell your home. Studies have shown time and time again that hiring a Realtor will help make the most money from the sale of your home and make it unlikely that you’ll need a lawyer later on down the road.

If you have a home to sell, please call, text, email or simply fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you promptly.

7 Kitchen Upgrades You Can Do Without Remodeling

Kitchen renovations can take several months to complete, cost thousands of dollars, and can set yourself back. Because full-on repairs can be expensive financial and emotionally, there is a wide variety of ways you can remodel your kitchen without the costs. From refacing cabinets to replacing lights, these cosmetic tweaks can change the way your kitchen looks and give you the kitchen you’ve always wanted. This additional remodeling could be key to helping you sell your home.

Cabinets

Cabinet refacing is an easy way of updating the look of your kitchen without the costs, and it can take up to three-to-five days to complete instead of several months. Refacing can give you a wide range of options for customization. Woodgrains, pressure-fused laminate doors, and painted doors can help transform your kitchen’s look quickly, and some options, such a Thermofoil, include glossy, matte, and woodgrain as finishes you can choose.

While refacing can cost as much as $6,000, painting cabinets through professional painters can cost between $3,000 to $5,000. For those who love DIY projects, painting the cabinets yourself can be the most affordable option, but can take up a lot of time.

Backsplash

Backsplashes are the secret to a beautiful kitchen because they provide a sense of unity and freshness to your kitchen. Choosing a timeless material can help compliment your cabinetry, and if you’re a confident DIYer, then installing tile into your backsplash can help you save time and money. A bold, glossy paint that can be easily cleaned can cost as much as $20.

Another option for backsplash is shiplap. It’s affordable, durable, and not challenging to do yourself. Also, applying vinyl wallpaper to your backsplash can come in a wide array of textures and patterns.

Countertops

For countertops, choosing a granite at the lower price range, such as Formica, can give you a lot of cool patterns without hurting your wallet. If you lack counter space and don’t want to add any more cabinetry to your kitchen, then purchasing a pre-made island or bar table can significantly expand your kitchen without any massive remodeling projects.

For those with more contemporary kitchens, stainless steel food prep tables can create smooth traffic flow throughout your kitchen, and you can get these at any restaurant supply company.

Shelving

Removing cabinet doors and creating open shelving not only creates more space, but also allows you to show off your beautiful fine china.

Lighting

Lighting can dramatically change the way you view your kitchen, so taking out fluorescent lighting and replacing it with warm yellow lights can make your home feel cozier.

Pull and Knobs

If you plan on refacing your cabinets, you have a comprehensive option of knobs to ponder over, and you can find beautiful, unique pulls and knobs at any retailer or online shop. For those who plan to paint their cabinets, choosing your knobs can also help solidify your DIY project and make it look clean.

Appliances and Plumbing

Plumbing is the heart of the kitchen, and pairing old pipe with remodeled cabinets and counters can make your kitchen feel unfinished. Stainless steel appliances can add the finishing touch you need, such as a faucet for $100 or a farmhouse sink for $400.