Tips & Tools
8 Reasons to use A REALTOR®
- A REALTOR® has the most information in one place about what
ison the market, including homes listed by other REALTORS. You
won't waste time looking at unsuitable homes.
- A REALTOR® helps you determine how much home you can afford, how
you can acquire the down payment and what financing options may be open to
you.
- A REALTOR® can help you find the home best suited to your
needs - size, style, features, location, accessibility to schools, transportation,
shopping, etc.
- A REALTOR® can supply information on real estate values,
taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities.
- A REALTOR® can suggest simple changes that could make a
prospective home more suitable for you and improve its utility and
value.
- A REALTOR® has no emotional ties to a home, can be objective about it
and can point out its advantages and disadvantages.
- A REALTOR® acts as an agent between you and the seller to
present offers and counter-offers until an agreement is reached.
- A REALTOR® is bound by a Code of Ethics and pledged to protect and
promote the interest of the buyer by providing fair treatment for all parties
involved in the transaction.
Home Selling Tips
- Now that your home is for sale, we suggest you read these helpful hints. They will
make the selling of your home a more pleasant experience for all of us.
- Make good first impressions, The grounds
should be properly maintained summer or
winter. Have the lawn mowed and raked,
shrubs trimmed, driveway and sidewalks
swept or shoveled clean and all debris removed from property.
- Arrange shades or drapes to give a maximum amount of light in dark rooms. Replace
all burned out light bulbs and repair faulty
switches. Light colors add cheerfulness to
dark rooms, especially kitchens.
- Badly cracked plaster, loose door knobs,
crooked light fixtures are among the small
items that can be easily repaired. Small things
sometimes hinder a sale more than large repairs.
- Display your storage and utility space by
removing all unnecessary accumulations in
attic, stairways, basement and garage, They
will appear much larger than they actually are.
- Correct faulty plumbing, Leaky faucets
can discolor porcelain and call attention to plumbing defects.
- Minor redecorating is recommended, if
needed, such as painting, rug shampooing,
etc. It will create a much more appealing appearance.
- Keep radios and televisions off or turned
down during the showing to eliminate any
possible distraction of the prospect.
- If you have pets, it's recommended they
be kept out of the way or out of the house, if
possible. Some people are uneasy around
animals and they may detract from the prospects attention.
- Your home should be comfortably warm
in cold weather and moderately cool in hot
weather, thru air conditioning if available, or
any other alternative measures.
- Apologies should never be made for any
adverse appearance of your home, It only
emphasizes the defects.
- Buyers ask a great many questions of our
representatives when being shown through a
home and most prefer to do this in privacy.
The inspection should proceed without your
immediate presence. The buyer usually feels
more relaxed. If you insist on being present,
please don't discuss terms, price, etc. We will
handle these details.
- It is important to furnish us with accurate figures on taxes and utilities and inform us of
any recent major improvements such as a new roof, driveway, etc.
- Remember, if a reasonable offer is presented, it is wise to negotiate immediately, it
may never be repeated.
- Always be prepared to show your property, If you delay a prospect, it may lose you
the sale, Your real estate salesperson will
always arrange appointments with you in advance.
- Always keep your sales agent informed
of where you may be reached at all times.
- Finally, may we remind you, all our staff
and years of experience are available to furnish you expert advice on any problems or
questions that may arise.
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Glossary of Real Estate Terms
- Abstract of title — A synopsis of the history of a title, indicating
all changes of ownership and including liens, mortgages,
charges, encumbrances, encroachments, or any other matter
that might affect the title. In some states the buyer is given a
copy at the closing.
- Affidavit of title—A sworn written statement signed by the
seller stating that he owns the property, has clear title to it, and
therefore has the right to sell it
- Agreement of sale—A written agreement by which a buyer
agrees to buy and a seller agrees to sell a certain piece of
property under the terms and conditions stated therein.
Commonly called a contract.
- Amortization—The gradual paying out of a loan through
regular fixed payments over a period of time.
- Appraisal—The estimate of a disinterested qualified
professional as to the current market value of a property. The
term also refers to the report that sets forth the estimate.
- Assessment—A tax or charge on a property to pay for a portion
of a specific improvement such as streets, sidewalks, or sewers.
- Binder—An agreement to purchase a piece of property
involving a small deposit to show good faith. It should always
include a statement to the effect that the agreement is "subject
to formal contracts to be drawn."
- Cancellation - Any clause in a contract that allows the buyer
or seller to cancel the contract if a certain specified condition
or situation occurs. The mortgage contingency is a cancellation
clause since it allows the buyer to cancel the contract if he
cannot obtain a mortgage.
- Chain of title - A list of all the transfers of title as far back as
records are available.
- Chattel - Items of personal property, such as furniture,
appliances, chandeliers, that are not permanently affixed to the
house. If included in a real estate sale, each piece must be
specifically listed in the contract.
- Closing - The meeting of all concerned parties in order to
transfer title. The date when the buyer takes title to the
property.
- Closing costs - Various fees and expenses, not including the
price of the home, payable by the seller and the buyer at the
time of a real estate closing—e.g., brokerage commissions, title
insurance premiums, and inspection, appraisal, deed recording,
and attorney fees.
- Commission - The payment given a real estate broker for his
services. Commission is usually paid at the closing.
- Contract - An agreement between two parties. To be valid a
contract must be dated; must be in writing; and must include a
consideration, a description of the property, the place and date
of delivery of the deed, and all terms and conditions that were
mutually agreed upon. It must also be executed (signed) by all
concerned parties.
- Deed - A written instrument that conveys title to real property.
Easement - A right-of-way or access. The right of one party to
cross or use for some specified purpose the property of another
party.
- Escrow - Money or documents held by a third party until
specific conditions of an agreement or contract are fulfilled.
The earnest money paid by the buyer with the signing of the
contract is usually held in escrow until all contingencies in the
contract are met.
- Foreclosure - The selling of a property to satisfy the debt of a
mortgage. In order to force the sale, the mortgagee (lender)
must file a Lis pendens with the county clerk, thus giving due
notice to the mortgagor (borrower).
- Interest - A fee paid for the use of money. It is usually
calculated as a percentage of the principal.
- Lease - A contract that allows one party the possession of real
estate for a specified period of time in return for a
consideration (usually rent) paid to the other party.
- Lien - A recorded notice that there is a debt on a piece of
property. This debt could be a judgment mortgage, back taxes,
unpaid accounts, etc.
- Listing - The employment of a real estate broker to sell a piece
of property. A piece of property for sale.
- Market value - Generally accepted as the best price that a
ready, willing, and able buyer will pay, and the lowest price a
ready, willing, and able seller will accept In other words, the
dollar figure at which there is a meeting of the minds.
- Mortgage - A legal document that creates a lien upon a piece
of property.
- Multiple listing - An arrangement among real estate brokers to
make- their listings available to each other. If a sale results, the
agreed-upon commission is divided between the listing broker
and the selling broker.
- Offer - A proposal, oral or written, to buy a piece of property at
a specified price.
- Points - Sometimes called discount. This is a fee that the
lending institution charges for the mortgage. One point is 1
percent of the face amount of the mortgage.
- Qualifying a buyer - The real estate agent's process of checking
out the buying potential of a customer. It is necessary to know
family income, available down payment money, and all
outstanding debts in order to accurately "qualify" a buyer.
- Right-of-way - An easement; the right of one party to cross or
in some way use the property of another party.
- Survey - The measurement of a piece of land by civil
engineers or surveyors to determine its area and attest to its
boundaries.
- Title - Actual ownership; the right of possession; evidence of
ownership.
- Title search - A professional examination of public records to
determine the chain of ownership of a particular piece of
property and to note any liens, mortgages, encumbrances,
easements, restrictions, or other factors that might affect the
title.
- Zoning ordinances - Municipal ordinances that limit and
regulate the character and uses of private property in a given
area.
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