WORKSHEET
As you complete your real estate transaction, you will need to keep track of professionals who are helping you. You may not use all of these but here is a worksheet for your reference. Please contact Stutsman Realty to discuss your real estate needs!
| Name | Contact Info | |
| REALTOR® | ||
| ADVISERS |
Anytime you relocate to a new area, whether it’s a city just a few miles away or across the country, you face a unique set of challenges.
The housing market, the transit, and even the weather may not be what you’re used to. Planning your move can be difficult, too, since you need to coordinate when, where, and how you’ll be moving your belongings to a new area.
Because moving to a completely new area means learning about a new housing market and a new community, we wanted to share a few helpful r...
When you walk away from the closing table with a big stack of papers, know what to file away for future reference.
Loan estimate
Your lender is required to provide you with this three-page document within three business days of receiving your loan application. It will show estimates for your interest rate, monthly payment, closing costs, taxes, and insurance. You’ll also learn how your interest rate and payments could change in the future, and whether you’ll incur penalties for paying off the loan early (called “prepayment penalty”) or i...
You probably don’t think much about the trees on a home’s property unless they pose an immediate threat to the structure. But you may not be aware of how much value trees hold and how they can affect the price of your listing. John Palmer, an arborist who is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, reveals the true benefits and liabilities of trees, what buyers should look for in home landscaping, and what sellers can do to protect the value of their trees.
Closing time is hectic, but you should always make time for a final walk-through to make sure
that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Here’s a detailed list of
what to check for on your final walk-through.
Here is a chart to help you stay organized as you track your closing costs. Be prepared and know who’s responsible for the variety of fees and expenses at the closing table.
| BUYER COST | SELLER COST | OTHER | |
| Down payment | |||
| Loan orig... |
Whether you’re building the home of your dreams or looking for an existing unit, there’s a lot of data involved in finding the right environmentally friendly dwelling. Here’s a breakdown of the different certification systems for energy-efficient homes.
RESNET
The Residential Energy Services Network is a not-for-profit corporation that develops industry-wide standards and rules for energy efficiency ratings and certification systems for buildings. In addition to overseeing the HERS index (see below), RESNET certifies contractors of all ty...
Before you purchase a condo, you should have an attorney review property documents for you. However, you should contact the board yourself ahead of time. You’ll learn how responsive and organized its members are and be alerted to potential problems.
How many units are owner-occupied?
Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the easier the condo will be to resell.
What covenants, bylaws, and restrictions govern the property?
Carefully read the bylaws to determine if you can abide by them. Also, find out if there are grandfather provisions th...
Below are a few terms that may assist you in your home search in terms of financing. This is by no means a complete list or plan. Be sure to always consult a trusted professional in these circumstances to protect your individual interest and rights.
Terms: Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. In general, the longer the term, the lower the monthly payment. However, shorter terms mean you pay less interest over the life of the loan.
Fixed vs. adjustable interest rates: A fixed rate allows you to lock in a lo...
Know that there’s no “right” time to buy. If you find the perfect home now, don’t risk losing it because you’re trying to guess where the housing market and interest rates are going. Those factors usually don’t change fast enough to make a difference in an individual home’s price.
Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of the people who will actually be ...
