What’s in a Word? “Imˈ- pound”: seize and take legal custody of something — especially a vehicle, goods, or documents — because of an infringement of a law or regulation. –Dictionary definition Once upon a time, the fees that lenders collected in advance from home buyers for such things as property taxes and home insurance...Read More
Buyer’s Agent Pre-Closing Freakout, or “The 30 Minute Home Warranty Policy” What do you do as a Buyer’s agent (OK, me) when — proofing the closing worksheet just before closing** — you catch that the Purchase Agreement includes a Seller-paid home warranty from HSA . . . and you can’t confirm that one’s been ordered?...Read More
When Doesn’t “Sold” Mean “Sold?” So, when it comes to residential real estate, when does “Sold” not mean “Sold?” When it means “Pending” (as in, when there’s a big, bold “Sold” sign in front of a “For Sale” home). Huh?!? At least in Minnesota, once the Buyer’s Inspection has been removed,** the convention is to...Read More
At Edina Realty’s corporate headquarters for a closing earlier this week, my clients and I couldn’t help notice that the hall lights kept going out. The explanation? The lights are tied to energy-saving motion detectors — as opposed to, say, faulty wiring or past-due electric bills. 🙂Read More
Everything You Didn’t Want to Know About Real Estate Title [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] First, a caveat: Buyers who need advice about how to take...Read More
“Substantially the Same Condition” & The Golden Rule ‘I know it when I see it.’ –Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, on the legal definition of what constitutes pornography. “Buyer has the right to a walk-through review of the property prior to closing to establish that the property is in substantially the same condition as of the...Read More
