Redfin

AUGUST 5, 2025

Consider discussing options such as a life estate, renting back to your parents or buying a second home. Perform a title search Don’t skip out on completing a title search , even if your parents are the only ones who’ve owned the home.

Purchase and sale agreement

Realtor.com

OCTOBER 29, 2020

Clear the title. When you buy a home, you “ take title ” to the property and establish legal ownership—a process that’s confirmed by local public land records. But clearing title will ensure this doesn’t happen, says Marc Israel , president and chief counsel of MiT National Land Services, a title company in New York City.

Closing

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

Your buyer’s agent will be able to help you create a wishlist , set up viewing appointments for you, tell you more about what’s going on in the neighborhood, negotiate on your behalf, and connect you with other vendors such as a title company, insurance agent, and home inspector. What is their timeline and what will make our offer stand out?”

Closing

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

They’ll know whether offering a rent-back period could sweeten the deal, or if it’s more common to pay seller closing costs. A good agent will reach out to the seller’s agent and ask about non-financial perks, such as a flexible closing timeline or rent-back period, that could seal the deal.

Inspection