Q&As

What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?

Most states require real estate sales professionals to be licensed by the state, so that they can control education and experience requirements and have a central authority to resolve consumer problems. The terminology used to identify real estate professionals varies a little from state to state.  Brokers are generally required.. Read more »

What steps do I go through to buy a house?

Financing pre-approval (not just pre-qualification) Searching and visiting properties Submitting an offer(s) and getting a contract Finalizing loan paperwork and financing terms (rate lock) Inspections, appraisal, getting insurance quotes Requesting seller repairs (if necessary and if part of the contract) and re-inspecting after repairs are completed Preparing for closing day: Stay.. Read more »

How long does it take to buy a house?

Buyers typically visit about 5-10 homes before finding the one they eventually purchase. Once an offer is submitted, the seller typically replies within 1-5 days. Negotiations may go back and forth several times before an offer becomes a contract. Then you’ll have about 10 days to conduct your due diligence.. Read more »

I want to buy a house. I know the property and the seller has an agent. Do I need my own agent or can I negotiate a lower fee if I act as my own agent?

If you have to ask this question, you probably don't have the necessary knowledge to properly represent yourself. The seller pays the real estate commission, not the buyer, and real estate commissions are already set in the listing contract. It doesn't cost you anything extra to have your own agent.. Read more »

How much does it cost to use a Buyer’s Agent / Realtor / Broker?

It’s often said, “It doesn’t cost the buyer anything to use a REALTOR®.” This is because all properties listed on the MLS already offer compensation to the buyer’s broker. If the buyer of an MLS listing doesn’t have their own broker, the listing broker receives “both sides” of the compensation. Therefore,.. Read more »

Working with FHA/203B, RD, VA, Section 184, 203K, Conventional, HELOC, and other types of financing?

We understand the nuances of many types of financing, including 80/20 conventional mortgages, piggyback and second mortgages, government-guaranteed and government-funded mortgages, rehab / fixer-upper financing, and more. The more information you share with us about your background and goals, the better we can advise you. You may not even know.. Read more »

Real vs Personal Property

First, let’s distinguish between “real” and “personal” property. Real property deals with land and improvements to land. For example, a house is an improvement to the land it’s built on and gets assessed and taxed as real estate by the county in which it’s located. A manufactured home (a.k.a. mobile home).. Read more »

Mortgages for Manufactured Homes

A manufactured home that is permanently affixed to land is an improvement to the land and therefore is considered real property. Mortgages, by definition, are loans for purchasing real estate. As such, if a manufactured home is still mobile, a mortgage cannot be used to purchase it. Mortgage financing is.. Read more »

What is a CMA, Appraisal, and AVM?

A well-prepared Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is considerably more reliable than an AVM. The “A” in AVM stands for Automated, not Accurate... Read more »

Can the Buyer purchase personal property from the Seller?

The real estate contract specifies that items affixed to the property (e.g. plumbing, curtain rods, garage doors, etc.) are included (unless specifically excluded) and items not affixed to the property (e.g. floor lamps, drapes, vehicles) are excluded (unless specifically included). However, we wouldn’t want every item under the sun to.. Read more »