What we are about to go over is so common, and it can completely blow up your closing—which is precisely why we decided to put this information out. Every couple of weeks, we get contacted by a listing agent selling a piece of property. The home's original owner has passed away, and the owner’s children have inherited the property. For whichever reason, the children decide to sell the house and divide the proceeds. Read More

You’ve heard the phrase before. One of your friends comments that they are in the middle of refinancing their home. If you were someone who nodded without fully understanding what they were doing (or why), you aren’t alone. Although most people don’t refinance their homes, that doesn’t mean it is a bad thing or that you shouldn’t consider doing it. It can be in your financial interest under the right circumstances. Read More

In North Carolina, you will need an attorney to represent you during your next real estate transaction. The good news is that between your attorney and your realtor, you have a source to turn to when you have questions between your attorney and your realtor. Though we intend to outline the North Carolina Offer to Purchase and Contract, either your lawyer, real estate agent, or both can explain how it pertains to your Read More

Buying (or selling) a home is challenging but not impossible. There will be hurdles along the way, moments of panic and stress, and last-minute calls with your lawyer, agent, and lender. Knowing that you are that close to the finish line, sitting down at the closing table can feel like a tremendous relief.  If you are new to the homebuying process, you may have questions about what closing will be like. Do I Read More

The idea and possibility of eminent domain are concerning for most people. Eminent domain is a power that the government holds. They can seize private property if it is needed for public use. There have been instances where the government has taken people’s homes because the property sits where a road needs to be built. Federal, state, and local governments all have the power of eminent domain. When people first Read More

Unless you work in the real estate industry, likely, you may only have a few experiences in your life with buying or selling real estate. When you first come across terms such as “property surveys,” you may either require a refresher on the topic or an introduction to it. Regardless, there are three general questions people have in regards to property surveys: What are they?Why do I need one?What sort of issues Read More

Earnest money is your chance to show the seller that you are serious about buying the home—so serious that you are willing to put money on the line. It is important to note that your earnest money is not the same as due diligence.  As a reminder, the due diligence period is a designated period of time (usually 15-30 days) that begins when the contract has been signed by the buyer and the seller. As a buyer, Read More

Without the correct representation, the closing process can be overwhelming. There are stacks of pages with “sign here” notes pasted throughout, itemized lists, mortgage breakdowns. There is a general question, and it even gets asked by people who have bought and sold homes before. When you don’t have a great attorney who is there to assist and answer your questions, you may walk away from the closing table not Read More

For anyone who has gone through the home-buying process—or is about to—arriving at the closing table is a wonderful moment. By this time, your offer was accepted, you’ve completed your inspection, and perhaps a small amount of negotiation followed. Regardless, both parties have arrived at agreeable terms, and the deal is about to be finalized. Beyond closing, the only thing left to do is officially be “on record” Read More

If you are new to real estate, you may hear people using terms interchangeably. For instance, a deed and a title are not the same. Deeds are a legal instrument that conveys legal property from one party to another. There are different types of deeds, and we will go over those in a minute. A title is the legal ownership of something. If you possess the title to something (e.g., a car, home, or boat), then you own Read More