Kim & Bagwell, LLC

For our landlords who have been impacted by COVID: If your property is in Gwinnett County, and if your tenant is currently in arrears, there is a County level program that is attempting to provide some relief. Take a look, and let us know if you have any questions. Again, this is currently for Gwinnett County. Your county may have a similar program, but the link below is specifically for Gwinnett.

We are so grateful to the North Forsyth 400 Rotary Club! Their gracious donation of webcams will enable our teachers to engage in virtual lessons and meetings with students and parents. Thank you, NoFo Rotary!!!

For our agents and lenders; the Hall County Real Estate Clerk is currently closed, and not reviewing documents for recording. We're coordinating with the title insurers in an attempt to keep transactions moving smoothly, but be aware that certain transactions may experience delays.

Update: The Governor has issued an order allowing for remote video notarization. At this point individual lenders and title insurers will be updating their guidelines as to what they will deem an acceptable, or "provable" process for conducting signings remotely by video. Attorneys will generally be responsible for making sure that each signing complies with the differing requirements of each company. As this process gets moving, please bear in mind that closings can sti...ll be conducted in-person (with accommodations made for separation of the parties, and minimizing contact). If your transaction is already scheduled or "in process," though your transaction would legally be eligible for a remote signing, your specific lenders and insurers may not have the new processes in place yet, and shifting to a remote signing could result in delays or changes in expected costs. As indicated before, please be aware that remote closings can provide convenience in certain respects, there may also be additional costs and processing times as the closing attorney gets the "wet signature" documents back and distributed to the appropriate parties. As always, if you have questions, please just let us know.

Here is a copy of an order from the Supreme Court of Georgia regarding video closings. Please note that while the order does state that video closings will temporarily not be a violations of the GA Bar Associations ethical/conduct rules, this order does NOT implement an e-notary or video-notary provision. While closing attorneys interpret how to accommodate this update, please plan for a few possibilities. While video closings (if adopted) may be convenient for signing purp...oses, original documents will still be needed, which may ultimately lead to an increased cost to cover overnight delivery charges from UPS, FedEx, etc... Disbursing sales proceeds, commissions, etc... could be slowed depending on which documents are needed. At-the-table changes will be difficult to accomplish unless all parties have their own printing and scanning equipment. So while we're excited and optimistic regarding the options this order may make available soon, please realize that there are other industry changes that will be needed before anything gets implements, and that increased convenience in one aspect may have trade-offs in other areas.

Regarding upcoming closings (purchase, sale, refinance, etc...); EXPECT DELAYS. Part of every purchase or refinance is verifying that the title to a given piece of real estate is clear and marketable. This involves searching the official County deed and lien records in what is commonly referred to as "the clerk's office." Many clerk's offices are closed. Some are open to receive new filings. Some are closed to the public, but allowing limited access for certain title-searc...Continue reading

Happy to announce that Sam Bagwell was selected by his peers again as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2020 in the area of Real Estate law! #dirtlaw

Home inspections are important...even the chimney. Have a great weekend!

We’re happy to have been involved in this project. Working to balance community sentiment with the rights of property owners is always tough, and not always popular. After months of work by a lot of people, we think a good result was reached last night!

Proud to present on tax deed investments and litigation to the UGA Terry College of Business today! I had my teaching assistant on hand in case things went off the rails! Any day back in Athens is a great day!

Happy closing today with some longtime friends and their enthusiastic helper!

We’re happy to have been involved! It was a lengthy process, but everyone was able to reach a great result!

We hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas season. Make sure you're signing your originals in blue icing only! http://ow.ly/ctFJ30mZlVa