It’s October, season of carving pumpkins and munching on candy corn. However, there’s something lurking just around the corner or hiding in the front yard creeping up on your customer, and if your customers are not careful – these monsters can jump out and KILL YOUR NEXT DEAL!
To help ensure your customers don’t unwittingly cast themselves as the victims in their own horror movie this season, check out the tips below on some of the biggest KILLERS of a real estate transaction!
After signing the contract for their new home, but before closing, some customers just get into a spending mood! It may be tempting to use a new line of credit to fill the new house with furniture or purchase a shiny new SUV for the driveway, but these transactions can QUICKLY change your lender’s opinion about your credit-worthiness and cause your deal to go down the drain!
Some homes look great on the outside and even through the buying process, only for the future homeowners to find out the home has not been properly upgraded throughout the years and is, instead, a mishmash of a lot of parts like Frankenstein’s monster. That home may not pass inspection, and when that happens, the sale is gone. Don’t let your buyers be sad. It’s a good thing to keep their family safe from plumbing, foundation, or electrical issues... as Frankie says – FIRE BAD.
A surprisingly common issue when someone is selling their home is that their legal spouse has gone as invisible as Claude Raine. When people move away from each other without filing the correct legal documents, they may forget that technically BOTH parties still own the home, and there’s been instances where the former spouse cannot be found in time – bringing the closing to a screeching halt.
Imagine getting excited about your new home, only to find the solar panels that you thought were a nice addition come with a $20,000 lien on the property. Just like Dracula – that sucks! Make sure you ask your title company for a comprehensive title search so that these kinds of liens don’t suck the life out of your customers' bank accounts!
As you can see, it may seem like there’s danger lurking around every corner, but with a little bit of preparation - and choosing a title company backed with the power of Florida Agency Network - you can help your customers avoid turning their experience into a horror film!
Happy Halloween!
You're doing it. You're buying a house! Since the process can be overwhelming and confusing, we've simplified it in the best way possible. What better way to explain each step than to use GIFs from one of our favorite TV shows, The Office?
Congrats on finding "The One!" At this point, your real estate agent has drafted your official contract, and the title insurance agency is starting the closing process. You're on your way to owning a new home!
Think of your earnest money deposit, or EMD, as a "good faith" deposit. It shows the listing agent and seller how serious you are about the home and getting the transaction closed. The dollar amount of your EMD is stated in your contract when it's signed. Be sure to discuss what you're comfortable putting upfront with your real estate agent. Depending on how much you agree on, it can seem like an expensive upfront cost. Your real estate agent is an expert and can advise you on the amount of money they think you should send. Take comfort in knowing the EMD will be held in your escrow account and used towards closing costs or the down payment.
Your title insurance agent will order a title search to ensure the title to your property is clear of any liens, back taxes, or other claims. To get a thorough search completed, ask your agent to request the title insurance company conduct a municipal lien search, permit search, and code enforcement search. With Florida Agency Network's offices, we offer this to each buyer via the buyer's agent.
Shortly after your offer is accepted and sent in, your agent will discuss scheduling a home inspection. You'll need to complete the home inspection quickly. Doing so will allow as much additional time possible for any follow-up inspection.
You're one step closer to closing on your home! The title commitment tells a buyer they're able to obtain a title insurance policy with that agent. The commitment contains the terms, conditions, and exclusions that will be in the owner's title insurance policy.
The home appraisal should come back at or above the contract price. The appraisal protects a buyer from paying more than the home is worth. If your home appraisal is lower than the purchase price, don't worry! Discuss your options with your real estate agent.
You'll begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel once you and your agent receive the clear to close. "Clear to Close" means the underwriter has signed-off on all documents and issued final approval on your closing.
Once your closing date is scheduled, don't forget to double-check for the required documents, identification, and time deadlines. The last thing you want is to forget to bring an item or sign an eDoc and have to reschedule your closing.
The final walkthrough is your opportunity to do one last visual inspection to make sure everything is in order. At this point, your closing starts moving much faster, and the finish line is right ahead!
We hope you're ready to sign, sign, and sign some more! While it may be exhausting and overwhelming, don't be afraid to pause and ask questions. At the closing table, your title closer and real estate agent are available to answer any questions you may have. Don't forget, this is your moment, and you can go as quickly or slowly as you prefer. You're allowed to get ice cream afterward, too!
You may or may not receive the keys to your new home at the closing table. In order to get those, the funds have to be wired to the seller. However, once they are received and confirmed, you have a new home!
You're officially the owner of a new home, and we think that is Perfectenschlag!
