In-bounds or Out? Test your real estate (and social) IQ, and see if you know which subjects are in-bounds ” and out-of-bounds ” for home Buyers and Sellers to discuss at closing: A. The home’s selling price. B. Any walk-thru inspection issues. C. The Buyer’s plans to remodel ” or raze(!) ” the home post-closing. D....Read More
Homing Instinct Sellers frown on Buyers moving in before closing, for about 27 (valid) reasons. See, “Move-in Agreements & Rent-Backs”; and “Real Estate Chutzpah.” But, the Momma raccoon that set up housekeeping in my client’s window well hardly asked anyone’s permission. And since my clients moved out-of-town well before closing, it fell to the Buyer...Read More
Realtor-Client Double Standard There are really only two rules when it comes to proper attire for a home closing: 1) the Realtors and other professionals (closers and lender) should wear formal business attire (sorry, no “business casual”); 2) clients can wear whatever they want. Which I guess means there’s only one rule. For men, at...Read More
Being There ” Literally ” For Clients Would you miss a child’s graduation? A family member’s birthday party? OK, so a real estate closing may not be quite so momentous. But, after working side by side with someone closely for months (years?), riding the emotional highs & lows that can accompany the sales process (more...Read More
Five-Step Checklist One of the last steps before closing ” in fact, sometimes done on the way to closing* ” is the Buyer’s walk-thru. To my mind, at least, the Buyer’s walk-thru has these five goals: One. Determine that there’s been no change in the home’s condition since the Inspection Contingency was removed. What can...Read More
Pre-Closing Checklist Test your mastery of real estate minutiae, and answer the following multiple choice question: What’s the last (if not most important) pre-closing detail to get right? A. The client’s net number on the ALTA (federal closing worksheet). B. Still-needed signature(s) on any last-minute Purchase Agreement Amendments. C. The listing agent’s sign riders from the “For Sale”...Read More
