To get preapproved for a mortgage, you’ll need to meet with a lender (from a bank you’re already using or a mortgage loan officer at another bank, a credit union, a mortgage broker, or an online lender. Ask your real estate agent for recommendations if you’re unsure.) During the preapproval process, a lender will review […]
When selling your house, there is always a chance that a seller could change their mind. They may have experienced sudden financial trouble, a medical issue, or another situation prompting them to want out of the transaction. Some options include: Seek a refund of the earnest money deposit. Request compensation because of the seller’s breach […]
Buyers occasionally change their minds about purchasing a home. They may have faced a job relocation, found a house they liked better, been unable to sell their current house, or just fallen out of love with this home. Some options include: If the contract includes contingencies — such as for the sale of a current […]
The Home Inspection can sometimes uncovers serious problems. No home is perfect, but serious problems —for example, with the home’s foundation or major systems — may concern you enough to renegotiate with the seller. Some options include: Ask the seller to make some of the repairs flagged in the inspection report. Use the inspection report […]
After a legally binding real estate purchase agreement has been signed, about 7% of real estate transactions were terminated before closing, according to the April 2025 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey, based on thousands of real estate professionals’ transactions nationwide. Sixteen percent of contracts faced delays to settlement. The most common reasons are flagged items from a […]
What if the appraised value for the home you want to sell comes in lower than what the buyer agreed to pay. A lender will approve a mortgage for only the appraised amount. Options include: Negotiate a price reduction with the seller to match the appraised value. Agree to pay extra cash to the lender […]
What Is a Real Estate Purchase Agreement? A real estate purchase agreement, also known as a sales contract, is a written document outlining the terms and conditions of a home sale. It’s the buyer’s contract for the home purchase and is legally binding only when both parties have signed it. Below are Some Common Contingencies […]
Buying a home is exciting, beginning with a proposal and leading up to a big, life-changing day. First, you have to find a home you love and make a commitment — that is, a strong real estate purchase offer, which the seller could accept, counter, or reject. Even after you have an accepted real estate […]
When applying for a mortgage, the amount a lender will preapprove you for will be based on multiple factors including: Income: Your gross monthly income and any other income you receive. Credit score: Higher credit scores — 700 or above — tend to qualify for larger loan amounts and lower interest rates, even though lower scores are […]
Here are the primary steps for a Home Loan Preapproval: Initial application: You’ll contact a lender and provide basic financial information. Document collection: You’ll provide requested documents like pay stubs and bank statements. Credit check: The lender will pull your credit report — revealing your credit score and credit history — as as a basis for evaluating whether […]
