Steps to Close
Contract to close covers every step from purchase to closing and helps buyers and sellers to comply with contractual obligations. Usually, it covers all items including Purchase Contract, Counter offers, Request for repairs, disclosures and inspection reports, as well as escrow documents and tasks.
INITIAL STEPS
Working with Lisa
Luxury marketing services for every home, every time. As a Luxury Homes Specialist, Lisa consistently ranks as a top producing agent in the Franklin TN area.
Timing and Price
You will decide with your agent the pricing and timing of going on the market, as well as the availability of the home for showings. Here, along with the negotiating process, is where you will benefit most from working with a professional Realtor®.
First Impressions
Few people have time to take on a “project” home. Simple maintenance such as repairing windows and latches, cleaning and decluttering and adding a fresh coat of neutral paint go a long way toward reducing the mental list of “things to do” in a potential buyer’s head. Same goes for the yard – curb appeal is for real. Plant some flowers!
Disclosures and Inspections
The State of Tennessee requires a thorough disclosure statement that is beneficial to both you and the buyer. Our team will provide documents, as well as suggest key home improvement measures (such as termite and pest inspections) and staging before placing your property on the market.
ACCEPT AN OFFER
- Keep written records of everything. Have all verbal agreements, such as counter-offers and addenda, transcribed into written agreements to be signed by both parties.
- Having accepted an offer, you and the buyer will be given a timetable for every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations.
ESCROW, INSPECTIONS, & APPRAISAL
The Title Company
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Your title is free and clear of encumbrances (eg. mortgages, leases, or restrictions) by the date of closing
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All new encumbrances are duly included in the title. They’ll draw up a preliminary report at the end of the process
Contingencies
A contingency is a condition that must be met before a contract becomes legally binding. For instance, a home buyer will usually include a contingency stating that their contract is binding only when there is a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector.
Before completing his or her purchase, the home buyer goes over every aspect of the property as provided for by purchase agreements. These include:
- Obtaining financing and insurance
- Reviewing all pertinent documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents
- Inspecting the property. The buyer has the right to determine the condition of your property by subjecting it to a wide range of inspections, such as roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, etc.
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Loan Approval and Appraisal
CLOSING
For more insights or to schedule your FREE 5-Star Marketing Consultation
BUYING YOUR NEXT HOME
PROPERTY SEARCH MADE SIMPLE
The Nashville area is a hub of counties, cities, and towns. We have provided the Home Search menu which will take you to each of the labeled areas where you can search by price; or use the Advanced Search to view all homes for sale in the community you want to live in! You have the ability to save your searches and send them to friends. Let’s find your dream home together!
