Real Estate Tips

Filed under: Accepting An Offer, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Buyers can be a little cranky on closing day if things go wrong during the walk-through inspection. For example, the sellers’ dependable old dishwasher might stop midway through its cycle and the bathroom sink might clog unexpectedly. These situations can create anxiety for the buyers and sellers, but such problems are quite common and usually simple to resolve.

Most purchase agreements require that the major mechanical systems and the appliances being conveyed are in working order at the time of the closing. Defects are often discovered during the structural inspection, allowing the sellers plenty of time to have the repairs made. Occasionally there are last-minute breakdowns or defects that are not spotted until the walk-through inspection. In that case, an agreement can be made with the sellers at the closing to escrow funds for the repair or replacement of the items in question.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Filed under: Accepting An Offer, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

When you consider what price you should accept when selling your home, there are two important factors that will influence your decision. The first factor is the basic sales price. The second, and more important, is the amount you will actually receive from the proceeds at the closing.

Your real estate agent will prepare a seller’s “net sheet” showing what your expenses will be. This will aid you in determining who pays what and when. It can help you to focus on the details of the sale.

A seller’s expenses will include brokerage fees, real estate settlement fees, title insurance fees and special assessments. In some cases the buyer may ask you to pay some of the loan fees. Local real estate taxes will be pro-rated for you and the buyer, and you may be asked to place funds in escrow for payment of your final water bill. Subtract your mortgage balance any home improvement loans and other liens against the property that will be paid at the closing to come up with your final figures.

Your real estate agent can go over all of these factors with you when you list your home for sale and again as offers come in.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

The costs of buying a home may be daunting. For example, you may have finally saved enough for a down payment on your first home, with a little left over to buy the furniture you will need. Then you hear about having to pay closing costs you weren’t anticipating, and this may seem like a real setback.

One way to cover such a shortage is to make the sellers an offer that calls for them to credit you for some of the closing costs. As a rule, the sellers may pay a maximum of 3 percent of the sales price if the buyer is putting five percent down. If the buyer is making a down payment of 10 percent or more, the seller can contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price to cover the buyer’s closing costs. Some items, such as prepaid taxes and the first month’s mortgage payment, must be paid by the buyers. Sellers may also contribute to paying the appraisal, points, title insurance, settlement attorney fees, state or local transfer taxes and similar items.

Keep in mind that if the credit is included in the price of the house, the appraiser will have to justify the amount, based on sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

The costs of buying a home may be daunting. For example, you may have finally saved enough for a down payment on your first home, with a little left over to buy the furniture you will need. Then you hear about having to pay closing costs you weren’t anticipating, and this may seem like a real setback.

One way to cover such a shortage is to make the sellers an offer that calls for them to credit you for some of the closing costs. As a rule, the sellers may pay a maximum of 3 percent of the sales price if the buyer is putting five percent down. If the buyer is making a down payment of 10 percent or more, the seller can contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price to cover the buyer’s closing costs. Some items, such as prepaid taxes and the first month’s mortgage payment, must be paid by the buyers. Sellers may also contribute to paying the appraisal, points, title insurance, settlement attorney fees, state or local transfer taxes and similar items.

Keep in mind that if the credit is included in the price of the house, the appraiser will have to justify the amount, based on sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Home buyers will have an opportunity to walk through the house they purchased just before the closing to make sure it is in the same condition as when the contract was ratified. They will check the appliances and make sure that the agreed-upon repairs were completed you could try these out.

Buyers usually see their new home empty for the first time just after the movers have left. Suddenly they see the dark rectangles and nail holes where pictures used to hang, and all the “dust bunnies” that were concealed by furniture. The contract calls for the house to be “broom clean” and free of trash and debris. However, real estate agents encourage sellers to leave their homes impeccably clean for the pre-closing walk-through inspection, and many homes are turned over in spotless condition.

Sometimes the seller’s hectic moving schedule, fatigue, or unequal housekeeping standards require the buyers to clean the house thoroughly before they feel that they can move in. If you are afraid that a messy house could trigger problems at the closing, be sure to make your house shine for this important inspection.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

When you buy a home, you will pay “closing costs” in addition to the down payment. These costs include the “points” you pay on your mortgage loan, title and hazard insurance, the title search, legal fees, and other charges imposed by the lender. These charges vary by state and county, but they usually represent a considerable amount of money.

Your real estate agent can tell you about the closing costs in your area. Ask your agent for some general figures when you begin your search for a new home, and use this information as a guideline. When you apply for your loan, the lender is required to provide you with a “good faith” estimate of the closing costs. The lender’s good faith estimate is usually close to the actual amount, since the sales contract will have the price and terms of your new home spelled out. As the closing approaches, your real estate agent will give you a final figure for the check that you will bring to the closing table.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

In most real estate transactions there are a few responsibilities that the sellers need to handle before the closing, such as repairs and termite extermination. The deadline for completing these obligations usually coincides with the actual closing. Many sellers barely make that deadline. Those who wait until the last minute to handle these matters may miss the deadline altogether or pay high rates in order to get a plumber, roofer or electrician on an emergency basis.

Your buyers will probably get a structural inspection done after the contract is ratified. Within 10 days of the contract’s acceptance by all parties, the pest inspection should be scheduled. Even though sellers usually know well in advance what is needed, they sometimes put things off until the buyers have finalized the loan approval process. Since these repairs will have to be made anyway, it is a good idea to get them done promptly.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Filed under: Buyers Remorse, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage