Topic : Real Estate Tips
What Are Contingencies and Why Are They So Important?
by Sandy Gadow, Author, President, EscrowHelp.com
TIP: Contingencies protect both parties from any surprises and leave a way out of the contract. They should be carefully drafted and can be made specific to your particular transaction.
A contingency is a condition in a Purchase Agreement which states that the agreement is reliant upon certain events taking place, such as approval of a […]
10 Often Overlooked Real Estate Tax Deductions
by Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
1. Home acquisition mortgage loan fees. If you have bought a primary or secondary home in the past year, you probably obtained a mortgage to finance the purchase. That mortgage is called an “acquisition mortgage” because it enabled purchase of the residence. If you paid a loan fee to obtain that acquisition […]
How Real Estate Agents Help Sellers Make More Money
by Alamo Title Insurance
Pricing
A homeowner is usually not the best judge of the value of his or her home. There are too many emotional ties to the home for the owner to be unbiased. Also the owner knows the amount he needs or wants from the sale and may not be objective.
Real estate brokers have the most current […]
Buyers and Sellers Costs: Who Pays
by Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
The Seller Generally Pays:
Real estate commission
Document preparation fee for deed
Documentary transfer tax
Any city transfer/conveyance tax (according to contract)
Payoff of all loans in seller’s name (or existing loan balance if being
assumed by buyer)
Interest accrued to lender being paid off, statement fees, reconveyance fees and any preparation penalties
Termite inspection (according to contract)
Termite work (according to contract)
Any judgments, […]
Dressed to Sell: Staging Makes the Difference!
by Sandy Dixon, Interior Arrangements, Inc.
Within seconds of walking into a house, prospective buyers form an impression and know whether they want to buy the house or not. In some cases they won’t even get out of the car, upon looking at the outside of the house. This initial reaction can make the difference between a swift sale and a […]
Buying? 8 Reasons To Work With A Realtor®
by Sharon Hassler, President, Go Get Experts
When you see the term Realtor®, it means a member of the National Association of Realtors®, a real estate trade association. All Realtors® are licensed real estate agents but not all real estate agents are Realtors®.
Buying a home can be a real challenge especially if you attempt it alone. Here are some of the benefits […]
What Do All of Those Abbreviations in Real Estate Ads Mean?
by Jeanne Rizzotto, Owner/Broker, Century 21-The Summit, Inc.
If you find yourself stumbling over weird abbreviations in a real estate ad, don’t be alarmed. There is method to the madness of this shorthand (which is mostly adopted by sellers to save money in advertising charges). Here are some abbreviations and the meaning of each, taken from a recent newspaper classified section:
assum. fin. — […]
Realtor® vs. Real Estate Agent
by Sharon Hassler, President, Go Get Experts
Realtor®. When you see the term Realtor®, it means a member of the National Association of Realtors®, which is a real estate trade association. Every Realtor® is a real estate agent but not every licensed real estate agent can claim the designation of Realtor®. Realtors® have access to many resources, including the multiple listing service. […]