Getting Started as a Buyer
	Getting Started as a Seller
	Glossary of Real Estate Terms

GETTING STARTED AS A BUYER

Get Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved

Pre-Qualified means that you have talked to a lender or a mortgage broker who has, based on information you told them, calculated what your home budget should be. This qualification is subject to verification of the information you gave the representative and the appraisal of the actual home you will purchase. Pre-Approval means that a lender has actually verified your financial information and approved you as a borrower for a specified amount. All you need to do is to purchase a home which will appraise at the price you and the seller agreed upon.

Getting pre-qualified or pre-approved is important for two reasons. First, as your Realtor® I will need to know which properties fall within your financial means. I want to show you the best value possible in your price range. Second, when you write an offer on a property you will want to attach the pre-qualification/approval letter to your offer so that the seller is favorably impressed by your financial credentials.

Call me, and I can refer you to a reliable broker or lender representative or visit www.CenCalMortgage.com for additional information. There is no cost for pre-qualification, and the process is easy.

Let's get together!

I like to get to know my clients; in particular their individual needs and wants. That way, I can tailor our search for your future home to your unique requests and budget. Plan on spending about a half-hour with me at our office. I'll ask you some questions that will help me understand what you're looking for.

Let's look at some homes!

Once I know your taste in homes and your budget I can arrange for us to preview some homes. I usually book about four to six homes; or about what we can see in two hours. I've found that more than that often overloads buyers with too much information ("Was the blue master bath in the yellow house or in the white house with green shutters?”).

Sometimes on the very first outing you'll find THE house. After all, I'll try to show you your "best bets" right away. If not, I'll keep on going with another round until you've seen the entire possible inventory. If the inventory is low, you may need to be patient. I'll watch for new listings that might match your criteria and call you right away so that you can get the jump on competitive buyers.

What should I offer?

Once you find THE house, I'll guide you through the offer process. Writing an offer takes about a hour. I'll explain how to form the terms of your offer. I'll also review the recent sales which are comparable to "your" house and advise you regarding various strategies you may want to consider. Every client and every house are different—and so are offers. Here is where my years of experience will pay off for you.

You'll need a personal check to write an "earnest money deposit" to attach to your offer. This check is held uncashed until after your offer is accepted by the seller and escrow is opened.

Presenting your offer

After I write your offer for you, I will arrange to meet the seller and their agent and to present your offer. I prefer personal presentations whenever possible. I do this so that the seller has an opportunity to hear about your qualifications and to ask questions on a face-to-face basis.

Sometimes the seller and their agent will write a counter offer, which I will then present to you for your response. The offer/counter offer "back and forth" could go on indefinitely, but usually one or two counter offers will resolve differences.

What happens when the seller accepts my offer?

After you and the seller reach an agreement, I "open escrow”. That means that your earnest money deposit is placed in an account controlled by a neutral third party, the escrow officer. I then begin the count down to the close of escrow when title is transferred to your name. There is much activity during this period, all of which I, as your agent, will guide you through. You never have to "wing it”, so don't worry.

How much will this cost me?

Other than your down payment and loan costs, you should plan on paying for whatever property inspections (physical, geological and the like) you choose, half the escrow fee, the lender-required title policy and certain other miscellaneous fees. I will calculate for you the amount of money you will need, including down payment & closing costs.

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GETTING STARTED AS A SELLER

Call me first. I will arrange an appointment at your convenience and without obligation to meet you and to see your home. Then, I will research your home's general information and put our findings in a written binder of information for you to keep.

I will outline our unique package of marketing tools and show you how these techniques translate directly to a higher sale prices in a shorter amount of time with less hassle for you.

I will show you how your home compares to other homes currently on the market, in escrow or which have sold recently. My goal is to provide you with all the background information you will need to make an informed decision when pricing your property.

I will discuss with you my opinion of the value of your home in today's market based upon the information I have researched and upon my expertise regarding the market experience of sellers of comparable homes to yours.

I can suggest ways you might enhance the marketability of your home.

I will discuss the costs involved in selling your home.

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GLOSSARY OF REAL ESTATE TERMS

This Glossary has been prepared to assist you in understanding terms commonly used in real estate transactions. The definitions provided are general in nature, and some terms may have meanings that are different than or in addition to the meanings provided, depending on the context in which the word is used. All questions concerning the meaning of specific words in specific situations should be referred to an appropriate professional, such as an attorney, lender, escrow officer or title insurance officer.

ACCELERATION CLAUSE: A clause in a note, trust deed or mortgage advancing the date of maturity of the debt upon the happening of a certain event, such as a sale or transfer of title to property.

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE (ARM): A mortgage with an interest rate that is periodically adjusted up or down, depending on a specific index.

AGENCY: A relationship between two or more persons whereby one is authorized to act for an other.

AMORTIZATION: Payment of principal and interest at stated periods for a stated time until debt is paid off.

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE (APR): The finance charges for a loan, including points and other loan fees, that are in addition to interest on the loan.

APPURTENANCE: Anything incidental to or be longing to land and considered a part of the real property.

ASSESSED VALUE: The value of property for taxation purposes.

ASSUMPTION OF A MORTGAGE (OR DEED OF TRUST): An agreement in which the buyer accepts liability for payment of a seller's existing promissory note secured by a mortgage or deed of trust.

BALLOON PAYMENT: A final installment payment larger than preceding installment payments on a promissory note.

BENEFICIARY: One for whose benefit a trust is created, such as a lender whose loan is secured by a deed of trust.

BENEFICIARY'S DEMAND: The payment required by a beneficiary under a deed of trust before authorizing a reconveyance, the removal of the lien on title to property created by a deed of trust.

BENEFICIARY STATEMENT: The statement of a beneficiary under a deed of trust stating the principal balance due on a promissory note and other information concerning the loan.

BINDER: A memorandum of agreement to issue insurance giving temporary coverage until a formal policy is issued.

CHAIN OF TITLE: A chronological list of documents comprising the record history of title to a specific parcel of real property.

COMMITMENT: A pledge, promise, or firm agreement, such as a title insurer's contractual obligation to insure title to real property.

CONTRACT OF SALE: An agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of real property.

CONVEY: To transfer title to property from one to another.

DEDICATION: The donation of land for public use by its owner.

DEED: A written document transferring owner ship of land from one to another.

DEED OF TRUST: A three party security document conveying title to land, secured by the performance of an obligation, such as the repaying of a loan. It is also called a trust deed.

DEFAULT: Omission or failure to fulfill a duty or promise, discharge an obligation or perform an agreement.

DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX: A tax on recorded transfers of title to real property.

DOWN PAYMENT: The amount or percentage of the purchase price paid by the buyer in cash, not borrowed from the lender.

DUE ON SALE CLAUSE: A clause in a promissory note or deed of trust calling for automatic maturity and payoff of the loan in the event of a sale or transfer of title to real property.

EARNEST MONEY: Something given as a part of the purchase price to bind a bargain, such as a deposit.

EASEMENT: A limited right or interest in the land of another entitling the easement holder to some use, privilege or benefit.

ENCROACHMENT: The extension of an improvement onto the land of another.

EQUITY: The value of the property actually owned by the property owner, often calculated by adding together the purchase price, appreciation and value of improvements and then subtracting the amount of all mortgages and liens on the property.

ESCROW: A transaction in which an impartial third party acts as an agent for both the seller and buyer, or both the borrower and lender, in carrying out instructions, delivering papers and documents and disbursing funds.

FEE SIMPLE: Absolute ownership of real property.

FIXTURE: Personal property that is considered a part of the real property because it has been affixed in a manner that to remove it would cause damage to the property.

FORECLOSURE SALE: The sale of real property given to secure performance of an obligation after the obligation has been breached.

GRANT DEED: A written instrument transferring title to real property.

GRANTEE: The person/entity acquiring title to real property by a deed.

GRANTOR: The person/entity transferring title to real property by a deed.

INTEREST: The cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage over time.

LIEN: A charge on real property in order to secure payment or satisfaction of a debt or other obligation.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: A description of real property sufficient to locate it on the ground by reference to surveys or approved recorded maps.

LIS PENDENS: A recorded notice of the pendency of a lawsuit.

MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS): A service providing member real estate licensees with information about properties listed for sale or lease.

NOTICE OF DEFAULT: A recorded notice of a borrower's failure to perform the obligations in a deed of trust.

ORDINANCE: A legislative enactment of a city or county.

PARTY WALL: A wall located on a boundary line of real property and used by the owners of the property on each side.

PITI: The amount of principal, interest, taxes and insurance which are the bases for monthly mortgage payments.

POINT: One percent of the loan principal, charged in part or in multiples to obtain a loan, in addition to interest and other fees.

PRE-PAYMENT CLAUSE: A charge imposed by a lender for payment of a debt before its due date.

PRINCIPAL: A party to a contract; also, the amount of money borrowed upon which interest is charged.

PROMISSORY NOTE: A written promise, signed by the borrower, to repay a loan.

PRORATE: To divide or assess proportionately.

PUBLIC REPORT: A report issued by the California Department of Real Estate containing a wide variety of information of interest to a prospective buyer of subdivided property.

REAL PROPERTY: Immovable property such as land and improvements on it, such as buildings.

RECONVEYANCE: A document, executed when obligations in a deed of trust have been met, that removes the lien on title to property created by a deed of trust.

RECORDING: The act of filing documents in the office of the County Recorder.

REQUEST FOR RECONVEYANCE: A written instruction by a beneficiary under a deed of trust acknowledging that the obligations in the deed of trust have been met, and directing that the lien on title to the property created by the deed of trust be removed.

RESCISSION: The act of canceling the effect of a document.

RIDER: A supplement, addition, or endorsement to a document.

STATUTE OF FRAUDS: A law requiring certain agreements to be in writing in order to be enforce able, including an agreement for the sale of real property.

STRAIGHT NOTE: A promissory note calling for payment of principal in one sum rather than in installments.

SUBDIVISION: The division of a tract of land into separate parcels.

TITLE: A document indicating ownership of a specific parcel of property.

TITLE INSURANCE OR TITLE POLICY: A contract indemnifying the policy holder against loss resulting from a defect in the title to the insured interest in real property.

TITLE SEARCH: The steps required to complete the chain of title to a parcel of real property.

TRUSTEE: The fiduciary designated to hold title to real property for the benefit of another.

USURY: The exaction of a greater payment or return for a loan of money than is permitted by law.

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