Real Estate
Purchase Closing: Have you just purchased a new home? Buying a home is exciting, but can also be very overwhelming. Our team is here to make your home buying process as smooth as possible. We work with lenders as well as cash purchasers to ensure a seamless process from purchase contract to receiving the keys to your new home. Our firm starts with the initial intake. In the initial intake, we will schedule a meeting to walk you through the process and what to expect as you journey from contract to ownership. We will keep you and your agent informed every step of the way!
Refinance Transaction: Are you thinking about refinancing your home? Our firm can also help you venture through the refinance process. We can serve as the point of contact between you and your lender. We strive to make the process as easy as possible.
Throughout the process, there are several terms that your lender and our office will use. To make sure you understand the real estate terminology, here are some common terms that you will hear throughout the contract to ownership process:
- Earnest Money: The earnest money is a good faith deposit to show your interest when making an offer on the seller’s property. The earnest money is generally refundable up until the expiration of the due diligence period. After the due diligence period has expired, generally the earnest money is non-refundable.
- Due Diligence Fee: The due diligence fee is a non-refundable fee paid directly to the seller. It is paid to the seller to allow the buyer time to inspect the property.
- Closing Disclosure: The closing disclosure, formerly the HUD, and also referred to as the settlement statement is a summary/breakdown of how the money will flow in the transaction, deposits, fees, loan charges, escrows, taxes, commissions, etc… in connection with the home purchase or refinance.
- Title Search: A title search is conducted to make sure that the buyer receives a “good title” at the closing table. A title search will identify the ownership history, and it will reveal if there are liens against the property (deeds of trust, judgments against the seller that may attach, tax liens, etc..) that could affect the buyer’s ownership.
- Title Insurance: This is insurance purchased for the lender and buyer which protects either from defects in title.
- Recording: This is the term used to describe when an instrument (deed, deed of trust, etc…) is filed with the county register of deeds office.
- Deed: The deed is the instrument that transfers ownership from the seller/property owner to the buyer.
- Deed of Trust: The deed of trust is the instrument that gives a third party, generally the lender, an interest in property. The deed of trust allows the lender to foreclosure on the property for breach of its covenants.
Note: The note is a borrower’s obligation or promise to repay the loan, generally with interest to the lender.
Contact us and let us know your needs!