If you ever attempt to read a real estate contract, you will quickly find that this paperwork is packed with a slew of terms you might not be familiar with—which is hardly ideal, given you’re poised to sign this legally binding document. So if the words in front of you look like ancient Greek, it might be time to step back and study up on some of the most common terms you’ll encounter in a real estate contract. Consider this your cheat sheet: Take five minutes to peruse this list of 10 essential terms—and come to the signing table prepared and confident.
Earnest money
Also known as “good-faith money,” earnest money is a sum put up by the buyer and generally held in escrow or trust to show the buyer is serious about purchasing the home, says Marcia Goodman of HomesbyMarcia.com in Virginia.
There is no defined amount, but earnest money generally runs about 1% to 2% of the purchase price. When the purchase is complete, that money is applied toward closing costs. If the contract doesn’t go through, there are guidelines that vary by state that determine which party will be awarded the escrow deposit.
Effective date
The date that the last party signed or initialed any terms and/or changes in the sales contract. This is often the date that starts the clock on the contract’s various deadlines (e.g., that a home inspection must happen within 10 days).
Due diligence
The contract’s contingencies (see below) provide the buyer a period to conduct due diligence, which essentially means doing homework. If the buyer discovers negative information regarding the property during this time, he can cancel the escrow and receive a refund of his earnest money, says Bryan Zuetel, a real estate attorney and broker at Esquire Real Estate, in Orange County, CA.
Contingencies
Contingencies are requirements that must be met before a real estate deal can close. The customary ones for the buyer’s loan are property appraisal, financing, home inspection, disclosures, homeowners association disclosures, and a title report, says Zuetel. The specific contingencies are set and agreed upon by the buyer and seller.
Disclosures
All sellers are required to fill out a property disclosure for buyers that states everything they know about the home since they’ve owned it, whether it’s good (there’s a brand-new roof) or bad (the basement leaks during heavy rains). A seller who intentionally withholds information is committing fraud, so when in doubt, it’s best to fess up!
Inspections
A buyer can do any inspections within a time frame that’s mutually agreed upon with the seller—typically within seven to 14 days of an accepted offer. After an inspection, the buyer can:
- Accept the property in the current condition and move forward to closing.
- Release the contract and retain the earnest money.
- Ask the seller to repair issues discovered at inspection. If the seller counters with a lower sales price or rejects the repair request, the buyer has the right to terminate the contract and keep the earnest money.
Title search
A title search or survey basically confirms that the property is owned fair and square by the seller, who can then transfer those rights to the buyer. Occasionally, a home’s title can be compromised by long-lost heirs or liens by contractors who did work on the property but never got paid. The good news is that you can buy title insurance in case long-buried issues crop up down the road.
Kick-out clause
If the buyer needs to sell a home in order to finance the purchase of a new home, the seller may decide to include a “kick-out clause” that allows the seller to continue to show the house and accept other offers.
If the original buyer can’t sell the home in a certain period of time—say, 60 or 90 days—then the seller can “kick out” that buyer and go with a new offer, rather than waiting indefinitely to close the original deal.
Appraisal
If a buyer is getting a mortgage, the lender requires the buyer to pay for an appraisal. That’s where a third party comes in and estimates the value of the house, making sure a lender’s money isn’t going toward a lemon. (If a buyer is paying all cash, an appraisal is optional.)
Closing
Also known as settlement, the closing is the final stretch of your real estate transaction that involves bringing together lawyers, Realtors, buyers, and sellers at the closing table, says Goodman. At the closing, the buyer will provide the funds to purchase the home. It’s also when you get the keys to your new home—in other words, it’s time to move in and celebrate!
