Legal/Compliance
How a Good Faith Deposit in Real Estate Works
When you buy a house, you will likely encounter the term “good faith deposit” during negotiations with sellers. A good faith deposit, also known as earnest money, is a financial pledge that demonstrates your serious commitment to purchasing a property and signals to sellers that you are a genuine buyer rather than someone casually browsing…
Read MoreProtect Yourself with Contingency Clauses in Real Estate
In real estate transactions, contingency clauses in contracts serve as critical protections for buyers and sellers. These contractual conditions must be met within specific timeframes for the sale to proceed, providing legal safeguards and negotiation leverage. Contingency clauses allow parties to exit a real estate contract without financial penalty if certain conditions aren’t satisfied, such…
Read MoreThe Ins and Outs of Earnest Money in Real Estate
When making an offer on a property, buyers submit earnest money to show serious intent to purchase, usually ranging from 1% to 5% of the purchase price. Earnest money is a deposit that signals commitment to a transaction and provides financial assurance to sellers. This good faith deposit in real estate transactions demonstrates that buyers…
Read MoreBuying From Distressed Home Sellers: Risks and Rewards
Buying from distressed home sellers offers real estate professionals the opportunity to acquire properties below market value. Sellers in these situations face urgent issues such as foreclosure, financial hardship, or inherited properties they cannot maintain, which creates favorable scenarios for buyers who are prepared. To purchase from distressed sellers, understand their motivations, secure cash or…
Read MoreKey Facts About Deed of Trust in Real Estate
A deed of trust is a legal document that secures real estate loans through a three-party arrangement involving you as the borrower, your lender, and a neutral trustee who holds the property title. Unlike traditional mortgages that only involve you and the lender, a deed of trust involves a third party trustee who can expedite…
Read MoreIs Sustainable Building Investment Worth It?
Sustainable building investment means developing, acquiring, or upgrading properties with features that lower energy use, water consumption, and carbon emissions. As climate concerns grow and regulations increase, real estate investors now evaluate whether green building strategies offer strong returns. Properties with green credentials attract more tenants and achieve higher rental premiums worldwide, making sustainability important…
Read MoreWhat Is a Restrictive Covenant in a Real Estate Deed?
When you consider a real estate investment, you might see legal terms in the property deed that limit how you can use the land or building. A restrictive covenant in a real estate deed is a legal clause that limits how you as the property owner can use, modify, or develop your property. These contractual…
Read MoreWhy As-Is Condition Properties Scare Most Investors
Most real estate investors avoid as-is properties like the plague, because of uncertainty about hidden costs, extensive repairs, and the risks of buying a property without seller warranties or guarantees. This fear often leads them to overlook deals that could offer strong returns. When a property is sold “as-is,” the seller offers it in its…
Read MoreWhat Is a CRE Strategic Default? A Complete Guide
Commercial real estate markets face significant stress as property values drop and refinancing options shrink. When properties are underwater, more borrowers decide to walk away from their loans even if they can still make payments. A CRE strategic default happens when a borrower chooses to stop making mortgage payments on a commercial property, not because…
Read MoreUse Restrictions in Real Estate: How Zoning Impacts Your Property
When you’re buying or leasing real estate, it’s important to know how zoning laws and other use restrictions will impact your property plans to avoid costly surprises. Use restrictions are legal limitations that dictate how you can and cannot use your property, ranging from zoning ordinances that designate residential, commercial, or industrial uses to private…
Read MoreOption Fee in Real Estate Explained: Tips for Landlords
When you’re involved in real estate transactions as a landlord, knowing the various fees and deposits can help you avoid costly mistakes. An option fee is a non-refundable payment that gives a buyer the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to purchase your property within a specified timeframe. This fee lets the buyer inspect the…
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