Transaction Outline

These are the questions that should be mostly worked out between the Buyer and Seller before making an appointment with us.

  • Purchase price
  • Close of escrow date or number of days
  • Initial Deposit Amount (aka Earnest Money)
  • Preference of a Title Co (we will recommend one if needed)
  • Loan Amount/Downpayment Amount. Is the loan pre-approved?
  • Inspection Contingency (Yes or No. If Yes, number of days)
  • Loan/Appraisal Contingency (Yes or No. If Yes, number of days)
  • What, if any, personal property is included in the sale (refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer)
  • Allocation of Closing Costs- “usual and customary” or something else?
    • escrow fee
    • title insurance
    • City transfer tax
    • County transfer tax
    • Natural Hazards Report
    • If a condo, is there HOA transfer fee and document prep fee?
  • Responsibility for Compliance with State Law Requirements (installation of smoke and CO detectors, proper strapping of the water heater)
  • Responsibility for Compliance with Local Ordinances (energy and water conservation, private sewer lateral)
  • Dispute Resolution: Binding Arbitration) Yes or No.
  • Special Terms ? (i.e. seller rent-back after closing, contingent upon sale of another property, ownership held in a Trust, etc)