jhorrocks/iStock Through some twist of fate, maybe you’ve found your own buyer without the help of your real estate agent. And now you finally have an offer in hand from a friend of a friend (of a friend?). Congrats, my friend! But does that mean your agent will take less commission? You can […]
Grafner/iStock You know that moment when you first set foot in a friend’s or a neighbor’s home—and it’s so gorgeous, the mere thought of returning to your cramped, messy, oh-so-humble abode makes you hate your life? Welcome to house envy. We’ve all been there. In case it makes you feel any better, no one—not even the proud owner of that […]
kutubQ/iStock The seller’s agent is typically the person who draws up a purchase agreement, but what happens if the home is for sale by owner (FSBO) and the seller isn’t represented by a real estate agent at all? A FSBO situation can occur in a seller’s market or when homeowners want to maximize their profits by not having to pay […]
Lighthousebay/iStock After a seller accepts a buyer’s offer to purchase a property, it’s time to make it official, in the form of a real estate contract. This document is prepared by a conveyancing melbourne lawyer and is one of the most important steps in the home-buying process, as it clears the way for […]
WoodenDinosaur So your home has foundation problems and you just got an estimate for fixing it. Ouch! Or maybe a leak in your roof has led to the discovery that the entire thing needs to be replaced. Or termites have been eating their way through the wood frame of your home, and you’re just now […]
golero/iStock If you’re planning on buying a home, you might wonder whether property taxes are lower on townhouses and condos. It seems plausible enough: Smaller home, smaller tax bill, right? But your property’s square footage is just a small factor that goes into determining how much property tax you owe. Let’s look at what goes into that number and if […]
kokouu/iStock It’s unsettling to think your offer on a house is being ignored. After all, isn’t it only fair that every offer be shown to the seller? The real deal: While that might seem like a reasonable ask of the seller’s real estate agent, it’s not necessarily required. Is it ethical for an agent to present all offers to the […]
Shutterstock; realtor.com There’s a certain point in the lifecycle of renting where you say to yourself: I just can’t do this anymore. Maybe it’s the upstairs neighbors, who relentlessly stomp across their apartment into the wee hours of the morning. Maybe it’s the numbingly dull white walls you’ve stared at year after year. Or […]
BrianAJackson/iStock Is a mortgage pre-approval letter necessary to make an offer on a house? The short answer is no. However, if you want your offer to be taken seriously and to stand out from any competing bids, this little piece of paperwork can really give you the edge. “While you do not ‘need’ a pre-approval letter from your lender […]
Kenishirotie/iStock “Contingent with no kick-out” is one of those real estate clauses that can be attached to a buyer’s offer on a house. Like active or sale pending status, a house marked with this clause can give buyers a sense of whether or not the house has received an offer and how close sellers might be to closing […]
