Teach the public about Real Estate

Buying a home involves several key steps, from budgeting and mortgage pre-approval to house hunting, making an offer, and closing on your new property.

Title insurance protects buyers and lenders from legal or ownership issues tied to a property, even after the sale is completed.

Real estate agents are usually paid through commission, which is a percentage of the home’s sale price paid after the deal closes.

A short sale occurs when the homeowner can no longer pay the remaining mortgage balance and wants to sell the house.

An REO is a home the bank owns after foreclosure. A short sale is a home still owned by someone, but the bank lets it sell for less than the mortgage.

Almost every home inspection finds some problems. That’s normal. The point isn’t to find a perfect home. It’s to know what you’re buying or selling so there are no surprises later.

Closing on a home usually takes 30 to 45 days if you’re getting a mortgage. If you’re paying with cash, it can be much faster—sometimes in as little as 7 days.