Blog
What Are Real Estate Commissions?
Like the video says - real estate agents aren’t paid by the hour!They’re paid a percentage of the purchase price in a successful real estate transaction.
When one agent represents the sellers and another represents the buyers the commission is typically split b...
What Is “Prime”?
The Prime Lending Rate - sometimes just called “Prime” - is the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans. Some consumer rates - like ARMs - are set in relation to Prime.
In the US, Prime is affected by the Federal Reserve lending rate ...
Closing Costs Explained Visually
Purchasing a home is exciting. Once escrow begins, the excitement can change to frustration, particularly if you are not ready for the closing costs that quickly accumulate.
Closing costs simply refer to the fees associated with various things associated with th...
Title Insurance Explained Visually
What is title insurance and why should any buyer get it when purchasing a home (single family, townhouse, condo, apartment, or whatever format your home purchase takes)? Doesn’t the attorney or settlement company handling the closing see to it that you have a cle...
What Is An Appraisal?
Every house is unique; appraisers are trained and licensed for expertise in putting a value on properties.
Appraisers don’t work for the buyer or the seller; their primary mission is actually to protect the lender who’s risking money against the home’s value....
What Does The Closing Process Involve When I Sell?
As this video explains, a signed sales contract doesn’t mean your house is sold. There are still financial, contractual and legal steps for both sides.
The buyer has to get financing to meet the contract terms - which includes credit checks.
The property is insp...
I’m Buying A Home From A Foreign Seller: How Does FIRPTA Affect Me?
I'm Buying A Home From A Foreign Seller: How Does FIRPTA Affect Me?
In normal circumstances, buying a home can be a stressful experience. However, when you add in a seller who's not a United States citize...
Understanding Real Estate Title Insurance Terminology
Like any industry, the title insurance business has a lingo all its own. The Florida and
Tenth Annual Ballpark Festival of Beers in Fort Myers
The Tenth Annual Ballpark Festival of Beers in Fort Myers at Hammond Stadium is this Saturday, January 25, 2014. An opportunity to spend over 3 hours sampling over 85 beers from around the world!
There wi...
Cape Coral 2014 St. Andrews Festival
So it's that time of year again, the Cape Coral St. Andrews Festival. I my self make this a tradition every year to go and have some crazy fun with the kids, even now as they grow up. Only now they like to see me get sick in some of the ride...