Work with Your Realtor
This term describes features you must have in a home, such as the right number of bedrooms or location near work.
What are NEEDS?
This document tells the seller how much you’re willing to pay and under what conditions.
What is a purchase offer (or offer to purchase)?
Changing this within the first few days ensures safety in your new home.
What are the locks?
Before choosing an agent, it’s wise to check this official document showing their authorization to practice in your state.
What is a real estate license?
Before touring homes, a first-time buyer should meet with this type of professional to determine their budget and loan options.
Who is a mortgage lender (or loan officer)?
Buyers often include this type of deposit to show they’re serious about the offer.
What is earnest money?
A security deposit made at time of accepted offer and held by the closing attorney. This amount is credited to you at the closing of your home loan.
What is Earnest Money Deposit. This is not required by NC Law but can be attractive to Sellers.
Regularly cleaning this appliance keeps your air clean and your HVAC efficient.
What is the air return filter inside the home?
This legal agreement defines how your agent will represent you and protects your interests as a buyer.
What is a buyer agency agreement?
This important step helps buyers clarify priorities by comparing essentials versus nice-to-haves.
What is making a needs and wants list?
This type of clause allows you to back out if you can’t get financing or the home doesn’t appraise.
What is a contingency?
Offers you protection for a specific period of time against potentially costly problems, like unexpected repairs on appliances or home systems
What is a Home Warranty. This MIGHT be something that the Buyer asks the Seller to purchase for them as part of the negotiations.
Setting aside a small monthly amount for maintenance helps avoid surprises; experts recommend this percentage of your home’s value per year.
What is 1–3%?
For this reason, you should NOT share with an agent who has NOT SIGNE to represent you these three things: Your money matters, your timeline, and your motivation to buy.
This 'insider" information gives people who are NOT REQUIRED TO ACT IN YOUR BEST INTEREST an advantage over you during real estate negotiations.
A home may look perfect, but this process ensures it’s structurally sound and safe before closing.
What is a home inspection?
Sellers can respond to your offer in three ways: accept, reject, or do this.
What is make a counteroffer?
This does not consider the value of the home but rather performs checks on electrical system, plumbing, HVAC. The results can be a deal breaker.
What is a Home Inpsection
To protect against fire hazards, you should test these safety devices at least once a month.
What are smoke detectors?
The best REALTORS® don’t just open doors—they provide this kind of market data to help you make smart, informed offers.
What are comparative market analyses (CMAs)?
Smart buyers look beyond paint colors and décor to evaluate these three lasting factors often called the “three L’s.”
What are location, layout, and lot?
A binding contract to BUY a home has been created when this is completed.
What is 1.) Sellers sign the "Offer to Purchase" and 2.) the Buyer's Agent is emailed or handed the signed document.
This offer of a NON-REFUNDABLE payment directly to the Sellers. It compensates Sellers for taking property off the market so that the Buyer can fully investigate the property.
What is a Due Diligence Fee.
Smart homeowners create this organized list or schedule to stay on top of monthly, seasonal, and annual maintenance.
What is a home maintenance checklist?