Real Estate Tips

Filed under: Buyers Remorse, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Here are some tips for coordinating a move that depends on careful timing. Say the closing on the sale of your home is Friday morning at 11:00, and that afternoon at 3:00 you are to complete the transaction on the house you are buying. Your sellers are completing the purchase of their new house on Monday. As sellers, each of you is obligated to leave your house vacant and clean at the time of the closing. You will each take possession of the home you are buying after the closing.

If you are faced with a game of musical moving vans, you may want to negotiate with your buyers or sellers to remain in your old house for a few extra days or move your belongings into the new home a little early. You should draw up a written agreement which details your arrangement, such as the amount of rent, the move-in or move-out date, and any agreements regarding utilities, insurance, or a damage escrow. If you need to make special arrangements for your move, let your real estate agent know and work out the details as early as possible in advance of the closing.

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

There is a standard chain of events that occurs when an offer comes in on a home. After a meeting of the minds, the buyer often brings in a home inspector who may find a few items that need to be repaired. The real estate agent gives the homeowner a list of the requested repairs. What comes next?

In most transactions, the seller will take care of the repairs. Many sellers wait until the week before the closing to call someone to do the work, because they want to be sure that they are going to make it to the closing table before they spend money on repair work. If you are responsible for making repairs to a home you are selling, make sure you have the work done well in advance of the closing date by licensed professionals who will stand behind their work. If the work is done at the last minute and is incomplete or unsatisfactory, it could cause complications at the closing. You should provide the buyers with all the receipts and the names of the persons to contact in case there is a problem with the repairs.

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

Some homebuyers approach the final days of the home sale transaction with great enthusiasm, feeling utterly confident that the end is in sight, and feeling completely organized about the move. They have accounted for every detail, contacting the moving company, arranging for the transfer of their telephone, electric, water, and gas accounts and having the home professionally cleaned. They start checking off the days until the closing on their calendar. But in reality, the closing may not be entirely predictable.

It is very useful for homebuyers (and sellers) to remember that closing dates are not set in stone. Lenders, appraisers, title attorneys, credit check services, and anyone else who is involved in the transactions can potentially cause a delay in the closing. If buyers keep this in mind while making arrangements, they can minimize the possible cost and inconveniences due to a delay.

As the closing approaches, the real estate agent will stay on top of the situation and keep in touch with everyone involved in the transaction to prevent any unnecessary delays.

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

There is a federal law that requires mortgage lenders to give prospective buyers an itemized, “good-faith” estimate of their closing costs. Sometimes buyers arrive at the closing with this document in hand and proceed to question each item on the final closing statement that does not match the estimate exactly.

These “good-faith” estimates are just that–estimates. The lender’s charges will be fairly accurate, but the charges for attorneys, termite inspections, title insurance, and other items that appear on the closing sheet may vary from the estimate. Some pro-rated items, such as taxes or homeowner’s association fees, will also be different if you don’t close on the date that was used to calculate the estimate. The purpose of the disclosure law is to give you a ball park figure of your closing costs. But the estimate you are given won’t be to the penny–probably not even to the dollar!

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

The lender is allowed to accumulate a borrower’s payments up to a two-month advance cushion at the end of a year. But if a surplus develops beyond this amount, the borrower is now entitled to an immediate refund unless the surplus is less than $50. These rules apply to new loans.

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

The conclusion of a real estate transaction is an exciting time for everyone involved cytotec dosage. The closing table is the ideal place to sign papers, trade keys, and drink a toast to the new homeowners. Sometimes that setting is filled with tension and pressure as each side tries to work out important details of the transaction at the last minute.

How can you help make your closing a relaxed and happy one? First, try to get the details worked out ahead of time. There may be a few unresolved issues, such as repairs that were not completed, a disappearing dining room chandelier or a pre- or post-closing occupancy agreement. The atmosphere should remain positive in order that minor upsets will not threaten the entire transaction. If you anticipate a problem, no matter how minor it may seem, be sure to communicate the situation to your real estate agent in advance, so that it can be addressed before it has a chance to escalate.

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

Because of the complexity of a real estate transaction, questions and concerns arise frequently for those who are buying or selling a home. Most people experience a degree of stress at the closing of the sales transaction. Both parties are probably feeling nervous and vulnerable as they sign the papers, and may even be fighting off an attack of buyer’s or seller’s remorse.

Even though you may be inclined to just sign the papers, it is a good idea to check the paperwork and ask any questions that come to mind. If you are signing a mortgage or deed of trust, be sure to review the document carefully. Check the spelling of your name, the property address and all of the inserted items for accuracy. Since much of the paperwork is prepared on short notice, mistakes are occasionally made. They are usually easier to fix while you are still at the title office, so don’t be shy about asking questions before you sign on the dotted line.

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

Filed under: Bargain Properties, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

When you buy a house you are asked to sign an amazing number of documents, especially if you are obtaining a mortgage loan. It is prudent to read all of the papers before signing them, but it may not be practical to do this at the actual closing. There is a way you can read everything first without holding up the closing.

The title company should have the papers ready for your review several days before the closing, but sometimes the lender delivers the paperwork at the last minute Check Out Your URL. If you insist on reading the fine print on every page, you will probably draw some serious groans from the others at the table. One practical solution is to request copies of all of the standard forms a week before the closing, so that you can read them at your leisure. At the closing you need only to make sure that the information is filled in correctly.

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