“Earnest Money” vs. “Ernest Money” If your first name is Ernest and you were buying a house, I suppose the check you wrote to go with the Purchase Agreement could be called “Ernest money.” However, for everyone else, the proper term is “earnest money.” 🙂 Definition For those not familiar with earnest money, think of...Read More
Point of Clarification: Cyclists vs. Bikers A Realtor plugging a new listing this morning as being “perfect for bikers” was asked to clarify whether they truly meant “bikers,” or “cyclists.” Bikers ride Harley Davidsons, can sport lots of facial hair, and — at least the hard-core types — may have a passing acquaintance with groups...Read More
Agent to Buyer: “Stop By That New Listing on Broker Tour Tomorrow” When an agent looks at a home without their client in tow, it’s known as a “Preview.” See, “Proper (and Improper) Uses of Realtor Previews.” That’s in contrast to a “showing,” which is when the agent and client view a home together. So, what...Read More
Somebody has to keep the George Carlin spirit alive. In that vein, I offer up the inherent contradiction between “collaboration” (“They all collaborated on the winning science project”), and at least one accepted definition of “collaborator” (“He was a collaborator during the occupation”). Maybe it’s just a generational thing(?) . . . See also, “You’re...Read More
Real Estate Terminology 101 “Final acceptance” sounds like something that happens in a hospice, or perhaps what Woody Allen has been seeking in therapy all these years. Fortunately, the real estate version is not so macabre: it’s just a fancy way of saying, “Done Deal!” “Signed, Sealed, & (Constructively) Delivered” Specifically, “Final Acceptance” refers to...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
