About Me
lhrpic.jpg BACKGROUND

 The Memphis City and County Real estate market and all that affects it have been my professional focus for over 30 years.  My first assignment at Marx & Bensdorf was to assist the RELOcation director. Later I was fortunate to have apprenticed with one of Memphis' finest Realtors, and Marx & Bensdorf 's co-owners, David M. Okeon, prior to going out on my own as a Realtor.

Growing up, my father, Bob Hurston, was a Banker who became a very successful and much admired Home Builder.  He taught me about  "the putting together" of houses from bottom to top, understanding the customer's needs and desires and how to apply them to the constraints facing the subcontractors, and then helping make everybody happy with the end result!

My real estate "education" did not all come from a classroom.  I was very fortunate to have had a great deal of "one-on-one" tutoring.

 

TODAY

I truly feel that being a native Memphian helps with my overall knowledge of the growth patterns of our city/county - and enables me to deliver a broad-based concept of our market to transferees as well as local customers.  Many of my customers are repeat customers, friends, family of friends, friends of friends and business associates of family and friends. 

Knowledge and experience are important, but genuine concern for my customers' needs and helping to deliver the realization of their dreams is one of the most rewarding aspects of this profession.      

My Listings
UNINCORPORATED, TN 38018
4 BEDROOMS 2.5 BATHROOMS
$495,000
Open Houses
Contact Me

Lita Hurston-Reed

 

Marx-Bensdorf, REALTORS

 

5860 Ridgeway Center Parkway, Suite 100

Memphis, TN  38120

 

Cell:      (901)-351-1119

Office:  (901)-682-1868

Fax:       (901)-682-2027

 

e-mail:  litahurstonreed@marx-bensdorf.com


Marx-Bensdorf

1900 S PICTURE.jpg"YOU'LL PROFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE"
Marx-Bensdorf has been in real estate over 141 years!  We enjoy a position of trust because our team of agents has achieved outstanding sales records with uncommon integrity.  The excellence of our agents complements the homes we list and lends credibility - or purchasing power - to the buyers we represent.


We are committed to the philosophy that our agency does not serve you - our agents do.  we proudly differentiate from franchise and large firms who promote the illusion that you benefit simply by their number of agents.  Our team concept, the key to our success allows us to offer you advice from the finest team of Realtors in Memphis.

Marx-Bensdorf is one of Memphis' longest standing and most active relocation firms.  By our continuous affiliation with major national networks, our listings are nationally exposed, and our agents are specialists at assisting transferred families.  Moreover, our website http://www.marx-bensdorf.com and internet activity provide you the broadest and latest range of services.


RELO Simplified
relo logos.jpg

Marx-Bensdorf, REALTORS  is unique in that our agent's diverse background enables us to provide service from Downtown to Collierville. Our broad based coverage area coupled with residential, lot and land experience translates to expert representation for your real estate needs. Marx-Bensdorf relocation department has assisted many clients locally as well as globally. Although we are physically located in Memphis, our service area encompasses all areas of the world, through our membership in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, which is the largest international network of independent real estate brokers. Our resources enable us to manage a single relocation or group move of hundreds from start to finish. With over 30 years of corporate relocation under our belt, we have become very comfortable handling pre-marketing, assigned sales, area orientations, property management, and all facets of corporation relocation.

Through partnering, we are equipped to manage all aspects of a move for you. Our program includes, but is not limited to:

  • Home marketing assistance
  • Corporate transfer buyout
  • Temporary housing assistance
  • Spouse career assistance
  • Cost of living comparisons
  • Moving van coordination
  • Comprehensive destination relocation
  • Home purchase buyer representation
  • Pet moving information
  • Rental assistance
  • Group move coordination
  • Airport pick up for home finding trips
  • Competitive mortgage loan information
  • Destination area counseling & city tour package


These tools enable us to provide transferring employees with the best possible service in minimizing the trauma of moving their families, not only from the best network in the world, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, but locally, from the oldest Realtor in Memphis, who has enjoyed a position of trust in the community for approximately 141 years.

Contact:
Eileen Cherny, CRP, GMS, RCC, WRS

Vice-President/Relocation & Client Services
mailto:goodmove@marx-bensdorf.com
 

INFORM HER THAT LITA SENT YOU
Value of a Realtor

Value of a Realtor!

Primarily, the agent's job is threefold - To be a counselor, negotiator and facilitator.  What does that mean?  The market sets the general price for a property, but a skilled negotiator with a strategy can net you 3, 4, 5% more.  Concessions and sales price can be affected favorably with a good negotiation and knowing what the goals and strategy are.  Many agents have taken additional  training in the area of negotiation to sharpen that skillset.
Next, a home is the largest investment most people make in a lifetime... why gamble your investment with a part timer?   If you are selling your home yourself, aren't you a part-timer?  Do you want a part-time doctor, lawyer, accountant?  Or do you want  someone who actively works in the marketplace on a daily basis?  You want someone who gives full time effort to the task and treats real estate like a business so that their business is to get your home SOLD or to find you the right home and CLOSE THE SALE.
Don't forget Realtors are a great resource.  The best and busiest realtors know the best and busiest home stagers, inspectors and lenders; you know, that 10% of people who do 90% of the business?  It's my opinion the question is not whether to use a Realtor, but which Realtor to use. 
Then think about this... You hire a Realtor primarily for what they KNOW about selling homes and secondarily for what they DO to sell homes. 
Experience brings you a knowledge base for problem solving and innovative solutions that can be a huge asset when things come up in your transaction.  What we do everyday becomes that body of knowledge.  And it's for hire.  
Pro-Active not Re-Active
Litas People Pic.jpg
As a Buyer or Seller you must be aware of the possible obstacles and hurdles in a Real Estate Transaction.
Listed are "88 Types of Turbulence" you should be prepared for in order to make the Real Estate transaction go as smooth as possible.
 
The Buyer/Borrower
1.       Does not tell the truth on loan application
2.       Submits incorrect information to the Lender
3.       Buyer has recent late payments on credit report.
4.       Found out about additional debt after loan application.
5.       Borrower loses job.
6.       Co-borrower loses job.
7.       Income verification lower than what was stated on loan Application.
8.       Overtime income not allowed by underwriter for qualifying.
9.       Applicant makes large purchase on credit card before closing
10.    Illness, injury, divorce or other financial setback during escrow.
11.    Lacks motivation.
12.    Gift donor changes mind.
13.    Cannot locate divorce decree.
14.    Cannot locate petition or discharge of bankruptcy.
15.    Cannot locate tax returns.
16.    Cannot locate bank statements.
17.    Difficulty in obtaining verification of rent.
18.    Interest rate increases and borrower no longer qualifies.
19.    Loan program changes with higher rates, points and fees.
20.    Child support not disclosed on application.
21.    Borrower is a foreign national.
22.    Bankruptcy within the last two years.
23.    Mortgage payment is double the previous housing payment.
24.    Borrower does not have steady two-year employment history.
25.    Borrower brings in handwritten pay stubs.
26.    Borrower switches to job with a probation period.
27.    Borrower switches from salary to 100% commission income.
28.    Borrower/co-borrower/seller dies.
29.    Family members or friends do not like the home buyer chooses.
30.    Buyer is too picky about property in price range they can afford.
31.    Buyer feels the house is misrepresented.
32.    Veterans DD214 form not available.
33.    Buyer comes up short of money at closing.
34.    Buyer does not properly "paper trail" additional money that comes from gifts or loans etc.
35.    Buyer does not bring cashier's check to title company for closing cost and down payment.
 
The Seller
36.    Loses motivation to sell (job transfer does not go through, reconciles marriage, etc.).
37.    Cannot find a suitable replacement property.
38.    Will not allow appraiser inside home.
39.    Will not allow inspectors inside home in a timely manner.
40.    Removes property that the buyer believed was included.
41.    Cannot clean up liens...is short on cash to close.
42.    Did not own 100% of property as previously disclosed.
43.    Encounters problems getting partners' signature
44.    Leaves town without giving anyone Power of Attorney.
45.    Delays the projected move-out date.
46.    Did not complete the repairs agreed to in contract.
47.    Sellers' home goes into foreclosure during escrow.
48.    Misrepresents information about home & neighborhood.
49.    Does not disclose all hidden or unknown defects and they are subsequently discovered.
50.    Builder miscalculates completion date of home.
51.    Builder has to many cost overruns.
52.    Final inspection on new house does not pass.
53.    Seller does not appear for closing and will not sign papers.
 
The Realtor(s)
54.    Have no client control over buyers or sellers.
55.    Delays access to property for inspection and appraisals.
56.    Unfamiliar with their client's financial position...do they have enough equity to sell, etc.
57.    Does not get completed paperwork to the Lenders in time.
58.    Inexperienced in this type of property transaction.
59.    Takes unexpected time off during transaction and can't be reached.
60.    Misleads other parties to the transaction and has huge ego.
61.    Does not do sufficient homework on their clients or the property and wastes everyone's time.
 
The Property
62.    County will not approve septic system or well.
63.    Termite report reveals substantial damage and seller is not willing to fix or repair.
64.    Home was misrepresented as to size and condition.
65.    Home is destroyed prior to closing.
66.    Home not structurally sound.
67.    Home is uninsurable for homeowners insurance.
68.    Property incorrectly zoned.
69.    Portion of home sits on neighbor's property.
70.    Unique home and comparable properties for appraisal difficult to find.
 
The Escrow/Title Company
71.    Fails to notify lenders/agents of unsigned or unreturned documents.
72.    Fails to obtain information from beneficiaries, lien holders, insurance companies, or Lenders in a timely manner.
73.    Lets principals leave town without getting all necessary signatures.
74.    Loses or incorrectly prepares paperwork.
75.    Does not pass on valuable information quickly enough.
76.    Does not coordinate well, so that many items can be done simultaneously.
77.    Does not bend the rules on small problems.
78.    Finds liens or other title problems at the last minute.
 
The Appraiser
79.    Is not local and misunderstands the Market.
80.    Is to busy to complete the appraisal on schedule.
81.    No comparable sales are available.
82.    Is not on Lender's "approved list".
83.    Makes important mistakes on appraisal and brings in value to low.
84.    Lender requires a second or "review appraisal".
 
Inspectors:
85.    Pest inspector not available when needed.
86.    Pest inspector too picky about condition of property.
87.    Home Inspector not available when needed.
88.    Inspection reports alarm buyer and sale is cancelled.