Buyer & Seller Tips

Tips for Buyers

• Avoiding Financial Stress
• Build a Plan of Action and Get Ready
• Finding the Right Seller
• Getting a Legitimate Lender and Getting Pre-Approved
• Hot, Normal, and Cold Markets
• Importance of Inspection
• Is Buying a Home Still a Smart Plan
• Thinking About Buying a Foreclosure
• Use a Buyer's Agent
• Why You Should Not Make Any Major Credit Purchases

Tips for Sellers

• Considering Offers
• Finding the Right Agent
• For Sale By Owner - A Good Idea
• Getting the Highest Price in the Shortest Time
• Insist on a Home Inspection
• Know Why You are Selling
• Making a Good First Impression
• Plan of Action
• Setting the Price
• What is a Short Sale Anyway

Homeowner Information

• Common Ways of Holding Title
• Condominium and PUD Ownership
• Environmental Issues
• Lead Poisoning
• Living Trusts
• Mechanics Liens
• Mello-Roos
• Radon
• Underground Heating Oil Tanks
• Understanding Foreclosures

Title and Escrow

• Closing and Title Costs
• Creative Financing
• Required Reporting to the IRS
• Statements of Information
• The Functions of an Escrow
• Title Insurance - Where Does Your Dollar Go?
• Title Insurance Requirements for Insuring Trusts
• Title Insurance When Refinancing Your Loan
• Understanding Preliminary Reports
• Understanding Title Insurance
• Why Do You Need Title Insurance

Real Estate Glossary

• Glossary of Real Estate Terms

Mortgage Information

• Adjustable Rate Mortgages - The Pros and Cons
• Adjustable Rate Mortgages-The Basics
• Closing Costs When Buying or Refinancing a Home
• Documenting Your Assets - Verifying Your Down Payment
• FICO® Score - a Brief Explanation
• FICO® Scores and Your Mortgage
• Items You Need When Applying For a Loan
• Land Contract
• The Advantages of Different Types of Mortgage Lenders
• The Biweekly Mortgage - Who Needs It?
• The No-Cost Thirty Year Fixed Rate Mortgage
• Types of Mortgage Lenders
• What's a FICO®?
• Where Does the Money Come From for Mortgage Loans?
• Which ARM is the Best Alternative?
• Your Savings and Down Payment