Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Don’t skip critical steps like the home inspection or negotiating closing costs. Not getting pre-approved for a home loan before starting your search A common mistake for first-time homebuyers is jumping into the search without first getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Pre-approval 53

Pre-approval Closing costs Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 53

HomeLight

OCTOBER 30, 2020

All-cash offers are beloved by sellers and real estate agents alike — and they’re more than three times as likely to be chosen from the pack. We talked to two top real estate agents to walk us through what can hold up even an all-cash deal. Problems come up during inspection. But is the cash closing process always seamless?

Closing 116

Closing Inspection contingency Title search Purchase and sale agreement 116

Realtor.com

OCTOBER 29, 2020

Most purchase agreements have contingencies —things that buyers must do before the real estate transaction is official, explains Jimmy Branham , a Coral Springs, FL, real estate agent at the Keyes Company. It’s rarely advisable to waive an inspection contingency. Your home inspection reports. Get final mortgage approval.

Closing 139

Closing Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency Purchase and sale agreement 139

HomeLight

JANUARY 3, 2022

Whether you should use an iBuyer (instant buyer) vs. real estate agent to sell your home is a hot debate in some real estate circles. iBuyer vs. real estate agent summary. The main trade-off is that the offer could be less than what you’d get listing the home with an agent, and you’ll pay a fee for the iBuyer’s services.

Agents 105

Agents Title Inspection Title search 105

Lighter Side of Real Estate

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

In reality, there is plenty of work to be done after an accepted offer, including the purchase and sale agreement, financing, inspections, title search, and taking care of anything else that might go awry. The real estate agent doesn’t have to do much. After an offer has been accepted, it’s smooth sailing through closing.

Purchase and sale agreement 145

Purchase and sale agreement Title search Staging Renovation 145

HomeLight

JANUARY 17, 2024

A Top Agent Can Find the Right Deal For You HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing, trusted agent who has the experience to find you the right house at the right price. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.

Purchase and sale agreement 111

Purchase and sale agreement Debt-to-income ratio Title search Finance 111

HomeLight

MAY 24, 2022

Byron Ford , an agent in New Bedford , Massachusetts, works with 76% more single-family homes than other agents in his area. Real Estate Agent. Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams South Shore. Many companies combine title and escrow services under one roof, as their functions are closely interrelated.

Purchase and sale agreement 111

Purchase and sale agreement Closing Title search Title 111

Redfin

JUNE 23, 2025

You can schedule inspections, review the title, secure an appraisal, and check for any red flags that could affect your decision to buy. This timeframe grants the buyer permission to thoroughly inspect the property. It’s typically refundable if the buyer backs out for a valid reason like inspection or financing issues.

Due diligence 31

Due diligence Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 31

HomeLight

JANUARY 5, 2022

Real Estate Agent. Real Estate Agent at The Kaminsky Real Estate Group. Do: Consider hiring a real estate agent. Hiring a real estate agent is not compulsory when you sell a house to a friend. It’s always tougher to negotiate with a friend,” says Edward Kaminsky , a top real estate agent in Los Angeles County. “If

Pre-approval 111

Pre-approval Purchase and sale agreement Title search Title 111

Redfin

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

On average, sellers can expect to pay between 6% to 10% of the sale price in closing costs , including agent commissions, transfer taxes, and title fees. They cover everything from real estate agent commissions to title insurance, escrow fees, and transfer taxes. These expenses add up quickly and vary widely by location.

Closing costs 56

Closing costs Closing Seller concession Title 56

HomeLight

JULY 12, 2024

You’ll hear your lender and real estate agent use the phrase “house in escrow.” Here’s what you can expect: Title search: Verifying the property’s legal ownership and any existing liens or claims. Home inspections: Conduct a thorough inspection of the property to identify any issues that need addressing.

Purchase and sale agreement 111

Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Home sale contingency Title search 111

RIS Media

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Closing : A meeting during which ownership of a home is transferred from seller to buyer, usually attended by the buyer, the seller, both real estate agents and the lender. Fees may include the appraisal, the home inspection, a title search, a pest inspection and more.

Pre-approval 90

Pre-approval Pre-qualification Title search Inspection 90

Point2Homes

DECEMBER 7, 2020

The real estate agent you choose to work with is even more important when buying a foreclosure. Specifically, a real estate agent who is experienced in helping buy foreclosures and who has a good knowledge of the local area will know when a home is a bargain. The Home Inspection. Getting the Right Help. Getting Pre-Approved.

Debt-to-income ratio 118

Debt-to-income ratio Pre-approval Inspection Inspection contingency 118

Realtor.com

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Seller concessions occur when a seller agrees to cover the cost of things the buyer usually pays for, such as closing costs , title searches, property appraisals, and other fees. Sellers can also offer to pay for repairs should the home inspection reveal that they’re necessary.

Seller concession 121

Seller concession Purchase and sale agreement Closing costs Title search 121

HomeLight

MARCH 31, 2021

For a deep dive on Georgia closing costs, we partnered with top Brunswick listing agent Valerie Burnett , who sells 45% more homes than the average local agent. Commission: $20,300 for the listing agent and buyer’s agent’s commission. Title search fee. On average, title search fees run between $100 to $200.

Closing costs 105

Closing costs Closing Purchase and sale agreement Title search 105

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

If you’re shopping for a home in San Diego, a trusted buyer’s agent is a key member of your team. HomeLight analyzes millions of transactions and thousands of reviews to find you a proven, top-performing agent in just under two minutes. Find a Buyer's Agent What will it cost to buy a home in San Diego?

Earnest money deposit 118

Earnest money deposit Closing Sales Inspection 118

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

When you sell your house without the help of a real estate agent, you’ll save money on commission fees but won’t escape closing costs entirely. The same closing fees that apply to an agent-assisted sale will be charged to a FSBO seller, with the exception of the agent commission. Buyer’s agent fee (~3%).

Closing costs 111

Closing costs Closing Title Title search 111

HomeLight

OCTOBER 20, 2022

Although the appeal of FSBO lies primarily in saving the cost of paying a listing agent , the amount of paperwork, knowledge, and time necessary to sell a house without a real estate agent can be daunting. Preliminary title report. Pre-inspection. Home inspection report. Mandatory disclosures. Purchase agreement.

Purchase and sale agreement 111

Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval Inspection Title 111

Norada Real Estate

APRIL 15, 2023

It's important for buyers and sellers to have a clear understanding of the expected duration of the under-contract period and to communicate any concerns or issues with their real estate agent. This contingency allows the buyer to have the home inspected and negotiate repairs or credits with the seller.

Earnest money deposit 98

Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency Title search Inspection 98

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Find a real estate agent Estimated time: 1-2 weeks A buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate agent who represents your best interests throughout the home buying journey. Ask for referrals from friends and family, read online reviews, and interview a few agents. > >Read: What to Look For on a Home Tour 6.

Pre-approval 31

Pre-approval Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Inspection 31

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

During a seller’s market like the one, we had in the summer of 2021, a top real estate agent could help you find a buyer for your home in as few as 75 days from listing to closing. Most buyers get an inspection, which may initiate repairs or re-negotiations. Just how fast can you sell your home? Source: (CHUTTERSNAP / Unsplash).

Purchase and sale agreement 105

Purchase and sale agreement Home sale contingency Title search Inspection 105

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

With the help of top agent David Landau , who works with 68% more single-family homes than the average agent in Newtown, Connecticut , we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down all the ins and outs of buying a house in the Constitution State. Find a local Connecticut agent. Find a Buyer's Agent in Connecticut.

Earnest money deposit 111

Earnest money deposit FHA loan Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 111

HomeLight

JULY 26, 2022

But this sign looks different from the real estate agent signs you usually see and it lists the homeowner’s contact information. A “for sale by owner,” or FSBO (pronounced “fizz-bo”) home, is a home that is being sold by its owner who hasn’t hired a listing agent. You’ve found yourself a FSBO home. What is a FSBO home?

Earnest money deposit 115

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Title Inspection 115

Redfin

JUNE 17, 2025

This delay is the result of the due diligence period, where the buyer will conduct inspections and other research before actually signing any papers. For example, if the home inspection reveals extensive repairs, the buyer may be able to terminate the agreement due to a home inspection contingency.

Closing 31

Closing Due diligence Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 31

HomeLight

APRIL 20, 2023

Typically, buyers are responsible for mortgage and inspection-related costs, and sellers are responsible for agent and documentation-related costs. Sellers typically pay: 5%-8% of the home’s price (including agent commissions that average 4%-6% in NJ.) Buyers typically pay: 2%-3% of the home’s price.

Closing costs 103

Closing costs Closing Title search Inspection 103

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

With the help of top Bay Area agent Carl Medford , who has 22 years of experience and specializes in helping first-time homebuyers, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down all the ins and outs of buying a house in the Bay Area. Looking to Buy Your Dream Home in the Bay Area?

Earnest money deposit 110

Earnest money deposit Closing Sales Title 110

HomeLight

JANUARY 31, 2025

The Top 5% of Agents Sell Homes for Up to 10% More HomeLight analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. Connect with your top agent matches today at no cost. Are agent commissions a closing cost? Get Started What are closing costs?

Closing costs 104

Closing costs Closing Title Seller concession 104

HomeLight

JUNE 23, 2022

It’s really good faith money,” says Kelly Allen , a top agent and seller representative specialist in Marietta, Georgia. Suppose the inspection uncovers issues that are unacceptable to the buyer. Real Estate Agent. Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty Atl North. Title search reveals a lien or ownership issue.

Earnest money deposit 111

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Due diligence Home sale contingency 111

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

To prepare you for what fees you’re obligated to cover, we did the research and spoke to a top New York agent about what to expect to pay for at closing. It’s a good idea to check with your real estate agent, but be prepared because New York sellers are almost always responsible for these. Real estate agent commission.

Closing costs 104

Closing costs Closing Title search Title 104

RIS Media

JANUARY 18, 2022

A title search may reveal a lien on the property, the buyer may be unable to get financing because of a low credit score or high debt-to-income ratio, or the house may appraise for less than the agreed-upon price. Common contingencies relate to a home inspection and financing, but there may be others. What Is a Pending Sale?

Debt-to-income ratio 98

Debt-to-income ratio Sales Title search Finance 98

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

We researched everything you need to know about buying a house in Florida, and spoke with top agent Maria Raymer , who works with 67% more single family homes than the average agent in Jacksonville, Florida , to get expert insight into the steps required for buying a home in Florida. Find a local Florida agent. Maria Raymer.

Earnest money deposit 106

Earnest money deposit FHA loan Title Purchase and sale agreement 106

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

(585) 704-7095 Contact Now Search Homes Home Fair Housing S.O.P. Then, you should engage the services of a real estate agent who is familiar with the local market and can help you find suitable properties. Many consumers don’t realize how much a real estate agent does in a transaction.

Purchase and sale agreement 52

Purchase and sale agreement Inspection Pre-approval Fixed-rate mortgage 52

Point2Homes

JUNE 4, 2021

In rare cases, you can request a home inspection ; however, these inspections have limitations. The easiest way to assess the property’s condition is to visit and take a look at the exterior , searching for any signs of damage, squatting, etc. It’s also essential to run a title search on the property.

Title search 96

Title search Title Inspection Short sale 96

HomeLight

AUGUST 24, 2022

Work with a reputable local real estate agent. There are plenty of reasons to have a real estate agent in your corner — visibility in the MLS , help with stagings and showings, assistance with negotiations and contracts, to name just a few — and now you can add sourcing a cash buyer to the list. Focus on out-of-state buyers.

Purchase and sale agreement 111

Purchase and sale agreement Title search Proof of funds Title 111

HomeLight

JANUARY 29, 2021

All and all, FSBO sellers don’t save as much money on their home sale as you might expect — just one reason why only 8% of sellers chose to sell their home without a real estate agent in 2020. You’re still likely on the hook for the buyer’s agent commission. A great percentage of buyers are represented by agents.

Closing costs 98

Closing costs Closing Seller concession Title search 98

Realty Biz

JULY 1, 2023

During this stage, the buyer, seller, or their respective agents select an escrow agent who will oversee the process. The escrow agent acts as a neutral intermediary, holding funds and important documents until all conditions are fulfilled. Step 6: Ensuring Clear Title When buying a home, ensuring a clear title is paramount.

Purchase and sale agreement 77

Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Title search Pre-approval 77

HomeLight

OCTOBER 28, 2021

These charges, also referred to as settlement fees, are due at the end of the transaction when the title of the property is transferred to the buyer. According to Coletti, Florida home sellers typically pay about 2% of the total home sale price in closing costs (excluding agent fees), though it can range from 1.5% Agent Commission.

Closing 81

Closing Title search Title Closing costs 81