Buyer Frequently Asked Questions
What if I see an attractive home, which is “For Sale by Owner”?
Call your EXIT Team Realty Agent first! Agent representation is now more important than ever. The typical seller attempting to sell “by owner” either knows too little about the challenges of selling a home or has a professional background in real estate and is very savvy. In either circumstance Buyer Beware! Most transactions, which end up in litigation are the results of poorly written and executed contracts. Our realtors use time-tested and state approved contracts, which cover all of the important issues. These professionals write and negotiate contracts every single day; and are very equipped to explain all aspects in easy to understand terms so that all parties reach closing without a hitch.
How is my Agent compensated when the home is listed as “For Sale by Owner?”
Not surprisingly, many “For Sale by Owners” are open to the idea of paying a partial commission once they understand how valuable an agent is to all parties. Many even advertise up front that they will pay a partial “co-op” commission. In almost every circumstance we are able to negotiate an excellent purchase price for you while including a reasonable commission paid by the seller. The key is to CALL US BEFORE CONTACTING THE SELLER, so that we can make first contact in order to establish a professional relationship and strategy.
What are points?
It is an upfront cash payment required by the lender as part of the charge for the loan, expressed as a percent of the loan amount; e.g., "2 points" means a charge equal to 2% of the loan balance.
What is a conforming loan?
These are loans eligible for purchase by the two major federal agencies that buy mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The loan limits are for a single family house.
What is a full documented loan?
These are loans where income and assets are disclosed and verified, and income is used in determining the applicant's ability to repay the mortgage. Formal verification requires the borrower's employer to verify employment and the borrower's bank to verify deposits. Alternative documentation, designed to save time, accepts copies of the borrower's original bank statements, W-2s and paycheck stubs.
What is a good faith estimate?
It is the list of settlement charges that the lender is obliged to provide the borrower within three business days of receiving the loan application.
What is a jumbo mortgage?
This is a mortgage larger than the maximum eligible for purchase by the two federal agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is a pre-qualification?
This is the process of determining whether a customer has enough cash and sufficient income to meet the qualification requirements set by the lender on a requested loan. A pre-qualification is subject to verification of the information provided by the applicant. A pre-qualification is short of approval because it does not take account of the credit history of the borrower.
What is a rate lock?
A rate lock is a contractual agreement between the lender and buyer. There are four components to a rate lock: loan program, interest rate, points, and the length of the lock.
What is the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification?
The pre-approval process is much more complete than pre-qualification. For pre-qualification, the loan officer asks you a few questions and provides you with a pre-qualification letter. Pre-approval includes all the steps of a full approval, except for the appraisal and title search. Pre-approval can put you in a better negotiating position, much like a cash buyer.
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