The Journey
Your home is more than a building or an address. It’s where you experience life, connection, and growth. For those on a journey, there is only Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty.
REAL ESTATE ADVISOR
For buyers and sellers at all levels interested in San Antonio’s diverse neighborhoods, especially within the 410, Adam Biechlin continues to make dreams come true. To every opportunity, he brings a wealth of local expertise, industry knowledge, and a desire to connect people with their perfect properties. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving up, or looking to invest, Adam goes above and beyond to simplify the process, reducing stress and overcoming complex situations. He’s empathetic and calm under pressure with a keen ability to keep his clients’ goals top-ofmind and focus. Adam is accustomed to working all over the city in a variety of price points and markets, including luxury property. He feels most rewarded when he’s able to make something meaningful happen for a client—move into a dream home, find the perfect house for a new life phase, discover the beauty of San Antonio and so much more.
Adam is a fifth-generation member of the San Antonio community proud to carry on this legacy with Kuper. His great-grandfather was the Assistant Fire Chief of AH. His grandfather was mayor of AH and both of his grandmothers are members of the Kuper family—Betty Biechlin and Lou Marr Tucker. His great-aunt, Mary Carter, still works with the company today. He feels a real sense of coming home serving with the agency and credits his long history in sales throughout both Austin and San Antonio with helping him hone the skills needed to successfully navigate real estate’s intricacies and emotions, connecting and collaborating with people from all walks of life.
When he’s not working, Adam enjoys hanging out with his wife and two children going to parks, museums, and local restaurants. His family shares their home with three pets—a dog and a cat both named Cooper and another cat named Ben! He’s an avid cyclist, coffee lover, car enthusiast, and college football fan (Hook ‘em!).
210.718.7518
adambiechlin.com
adam.biechlin@sothebysrealty.com
ADAM BIECHLIN
GLOBAL
Client Testimonials
“We recently relocated from Virginia to our home state of Texas and were very lucky to be referred to Adam. From the get-go, he understood our “must-haves” as well as our “wish list” in a home. He thoughtfully and patiently steered us through a market with low inventory to find the home that was “the one.” We are so grateful for his positivity and experience, and cannot recommend him highly enough!”
- BEN AND ALLISON G
“Adam was recommended to me by my daughter. I recently moved to San Antonio from Austin. He was great! He patiently guided me throughout the process and was available for showings even on his holiday weekend. I am pleased to recommend him to anyone looking for a talented San Antonio area realtor.”
- CAROL L
“Adam Biechlin is an excellent, hardworking, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable realtor who always puts his client’s needs over his needs. Adam has been our realtor throughout two buys and one sale of properties. Adam has always been dependable, friendly, and very realistic in all transactions as well as a very compassionate person in understanding our property needs. He guided us to our current ‘forever home’ when it was ‘outside of our box’ of original needs while understanding our priorities and level of flexibility. He will work at his inconvenience to assist clients, working around their work schedules as well as with moving details. Adam Biechlin is a five-star realtor with five being the highest rating. It was a privilege to work with him. If we ever do sell our current home, Adam is who will be sought after to represent us. Sincerely thankful clients.”
- RICK AND JOY D
“Adam’s knowledge of and connections within the San Antonio market helped me find a great house at a fair price in a very challenging market. Adam and Jen stayed on top of the process throughout and made this the smoothest home transaction I have had.”
- TOM AND GAYLE
Our Brand
Our Heritage
Recognized worldwide, the prestige of the Sotheby’s brand is unparalleled. The acclaimed Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744 in London for collectors of art and other fine possessions, expanded to New York City in 1955.
Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty inherited this iconic brand name, building on its centuries-long legacy by delivering unrivaled real estate services. Our reputation for quality service and expertise is unmatched. This is our unique difference. The properties represented by our network are exclusively featured in Sotheby’s auction house marketing programs, including high-profile client events, plus showcased in their signature publications, digital newsletters, and on sothebys.com. So while our brand is uniquely local, our reach is global and that means more exposure that connects sellers with qualified homebuyers all around the world.
The Local Experts Since 1972
Kuper Realty was formed in 1972 under the leadership of Charles Kuper, Jr. and his family. That local legacy then combined with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand as the regional affiliate for Central Texas, taking the power of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty to the next level. It is our mission to be the leader of luxury real estate in Texas by providing service that exceeds expectations, delivering knowledge that surpasses the competition, and presenting progressive marketing and innovative technology that outperforms the industry demand.
LOCAL BROKERAGES
Hill Country Galleria
13420 GALLERIA CIR., STE. A-105, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78738
Downtown Austin
524 N. LAMAR, STE. #204, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78703
Boerne
1002 RIVER RD., STE. #300, BOERNE, TEXAS 78006
Barton Creek
2700 BARTON CREEK BLVD., STE. 200, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78735
Westlake
4301 WESTBANK, BLDG. B, STE. #100, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746
New Braunfels
764 WEST SAN ANTONIO ST., NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS 78130
Dominion 4 DOMINION DR., BLDG. 2, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78257
Alamo Heights
6606 N. NEW BRAUNFELS AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209
Stone Oak
434 N. LOOP 1604 W., STE. #3103, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78232
Broadway
5000 BROADWAY ST., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209
Local Power. Global Reach.
At Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, we continue to break our own records as measured both locally in Texas and around the world as part of the Sotheby’s International Realty network in sales volume, website traffic, and media exposure. Our performance stems from our approach: never rest on your laurels and work to always redefine the highest level of service.
$4.14B
ANNUAL LOCAL SALES VOLUME
$204B
ANNUAL GLOBAL SALES VOLUME
4,440
ANNUAL LOCAL TRANSACTIONS
$930,000
KUPER AVERAGE SALES PRICE
The Process
Working with a Buyer’s Agent
Some people wonder if they should use a real estate agent in the process of buying a new home. Since the listing agent represents the seller, it is in your best interest to find a professional and knowledgeable buyer’s agent who will represent you in the transaction and work to get you the best deal possible. Seller’s agents are legally obligated to represent the seller’s best interests. This includes the right to share any information you (the buyer) give them to their seller. Also, they are not allowed to disclose information to you that could hinder the seller’s negotiating position. Your buyer’s agent would be able to share with you any information they discover about the seller’s situation.
Your buyer’s agent will help guide you through the homebuying process in every way. Buyer’s agents are very knowledgeable about different neighborhoods and markets. They will be able to help you find exactly what you are looking for, ensure you pay the right price for it, take care of all paperwork, guide you through the inspection and repair process, and successfully get you to closing. Once your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent has an understanding of your property needs and preferences, you can also expect them to provide you with the following:
ADVANCED ACCESS
In some neighborhoods, homes are sold within days, or even hours, of being put on the market. Others are marketed and sold within a real estate brokerage’s network without ever being made available to the public. In many cases, your agent can arrange for advanced access to properties that are represented within their exclusive professional and company networks.
QUICK ALERTS
Aside from in-house and off-market opportunities, properties are put on the market via a multiple listing service (MLS) virtually every day. As soon as a property that meets your criteria is posted on the MLS, your agent will let you know of that listing and arrange a showing.
PRIVATE SHOWINGS
Your agent can schedule in-person showings of properties that match your preferences and needs. Additionally, the demand for video and chat software has increased exponentially to ensure a potential buyer is able to effectively view and evaluate the home even if they can’t physically be there. Your agent is skilled in the top platforms that can execute virtual showings. You may also tour houses anytime on kuperrealty.com, sothebysrealty.com, or our Kuper Realty app.
EVALUATION OF OPTIONS
It can be challenging to determine the fair market value of a home and to assess whether it is a good value for its listed price and for your budget. Variables that impact the value of a home or property include its location, neighborhood, community plan, proximity to amenities, lot attributes, views, property size, interior and structural condition, construction type, age, unique features, and the state of the local real estate market. Your agent is an expert on all the factors and will advise you, always, with your interests as the utmost priority. We’re known for that―since 1972 and counting.
Securing Your Financing
Before starting your home search, it is important to evaluate your financial situation, confirm your budget, familiarize yourself with mortgage options, and secure pre-approval from a lender. This will help you conduct your search with confidence and negotiate for your desired home successfully. Your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent can connect you to qualified professionals to get your loan handled efficiently and effectively.
ESTABLISH YOUR BUDGET
As a general guideline, total monthly housing costs for your primary home―including mortgage payments, taxes, maintenance fees, insurance, interest charges, and utilities―should not exceed about 25 percent of your gross monthly household income. Many financial advisors also suggest that total monthly debt, including mortgage payments, credit card payments, and car payments, should not exceed about 35 percent of your gross monthly income. Always consult a financial professional for specifics, tips, and tools. Those purchasing an investment property should also consult real estate and financial advisors to understand the tax and financial implications of their purchase.
CONFIRM YOUR DOWN PAYMENT
If your down payment amount is less than 20 percent of the total purchase price, you will need to purchase mortgage loan insurance that guarantees the debt against default. In most cases, this will be added to the mortgage loan payment.
OPTIMIZING YOUR MORTGAGE
Work with your lender to optimize your mortgage-payment schedule for your unique situation. Many primary homeowners aim to pay off their mortgages as quickly as possible, which can be achieved with more frequent installments. If you are purchasing real estate solely for investment purposes, other considerations such as tax implications may come into play. Consult your real estate and financial advisors for assistance.
GET WRITTEN PRE-APPROVAL
It is important to gain pre-approval for a home loan before you start looking at properties. The lender will carefully review your financial situation, including your credit, income, assets, and other information. You will be provided with a preapproval letter stating your borrowing power, or how much home you can afford. In markets where there is a high demand for the type of home you wish to purchase, written pre-approval is essential―and could give you a competitive edge.
Finding Your New Home
Prior to viewing homes with your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent, it is important to clarify your specific needs, your budget, and your personal preferences―including any anticipated changes in your life. All of them will impact the purchase of your home and what you will be looking for in the future. Here are some primary points to help you get started:
FIND YOUR STYLE
While you might love craftsman homes or the sleek look of a modern kitchen in a penthouse apartment, you’ll be happiest if you consider what type of home will work best for you. Single-family homes offer more privacy, freedom, and space. Condos often come with condo associations that handle a lot of the outside maintenance for you, but a condo might not have the green space you need and you’ll pay monthly dues to the association.
ASK THE PROS
Nobody knows more about a neighborhood than the current residents! Without being intrusive, look for an opportunity to chat with your potential neighbors. What’s their opinion of the block and the neighborhood?
IMAGINE LIVING THERE
Check out the local amenities in the neighborhood you are interested in and see if it works out with your day-to-day routine. Are there restaurants, stores, and other services that you enjoy close by? Is the neighborhood near a freeway so you can get on the road in a reasonable amount of time? Also, try to visit the neighborhood multiple times and at different times of the day. Lastly, walk through the streets near the home and see how it feels. You will notice more things walking than just driving by.
THE SAFETY FACTOR
There are several resources online you can check for neighborhood crime statistics. You can also call or stop by the local police department and request the crime statistics. Crime reports are public records and should be made available to you upon request.
THE RULES
If the home is part of a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) you will want to get a copy of the bylaws and study those carefully. Many HOAs have rules you would never even think of. For example, the HOA might regulate the type of plants you can have in your yard, type of fencing you can put up, whether or not you can post signs, and specific rules regarding pets.
Proprietary Tech Tools for Your Home Search
The access to proprietary technology locally through Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, as well as internationally through Sotheby’s International Realty, is a crucial piece of what sets us apart from the rest of the industry. 90% of homebuyers begin searching for their home online, so it’s essential for our Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agents to have access to digital tools to make the home buying process efficient and successful every time.
TECH THAT CAN HELP YOU FIND YOUR HOME
SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM
The world’s #1 luxury real estate website―sothebysrealty.com―is at work for you. Not only is every Sotheby’s International Realty listing beautifully presented, but there are exceptional homes to see around the country and around the world. Immerse yourself with vibrant photographs and, with many properties, videos and 3D tours. Unique to Sotheby’s International Realty is the ability to search for a home based on your lifestyle: city, country, farm, ranch, waterfront, beach, golf, ski, and many others.
KUPERREALTY.COM
A gorgeous, functional gateway to Texas real estate, kuperrealty.com provides optimal search features for our listings. Additionally, other local area listings and MLS systems are integrated in seamlessly. The site features a robust search component, unique content, and attracts over 50,000 users a month from around the world.
KUPER REALTY APP
Search for homes on the go using the Kuper Realty mobile app. A GPS-enabled app, as a user you can easily browse our selection of nearby real estate listinags and collaborate with your preferred Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent in real-time, all in the palm of your hand. Our app is available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play App Store.
CURATE
Sotheby’s International Realty is the first real estate brand to launch and implement a virtual staging augmented reality app. Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty allows you to visualize a home as your own before you buy. By simply walking through a home with your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent, you can digitally furnish rooms in the styles you love―all from your phone or tablet. Design your future rooms and shop for furnishings using state-of-the-art technology that lets you see how furniture and decor will look, feel, and fit.
APPLE TV
The Sotheby’s International Realty Apple TV app is a fun and easy way to explore the global real estate market from the comfort of your own home. With unique geographic, lifestyle, and amenity filters it has never been easier to discover the home of your dreams.
Submitting an Offer
You’ll work with your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent to come up with an offer that reflects the condition of the property and is a fair market price. Your agent will be able to research comparable homes and help you come up with a smart offer. They may even suggest to put in an offer at full ask or over ask if the home is priced well and competition is anticipated.
LEGAL AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
An offer commits you to certain legal and contractual obligations as soon as the other party has accepted it. Prior to submitting an offer, ensure that you are clear on the legal obligations you are undertaking, should the offer be accepted.
VALUATION
Prior to submitting your offer, your agent can provide you with information on recent area sales, local market information, and background on whether there are other competitive bids.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
With some investigation, your agent may also be able to assess your seller’s background and objectives for selling, which may assist you in formulating a competitive offer.
OFFER DETAILS
The details of an offer typically include your legal name, the address of the property, the price you are offering to pay, inclusions (items in or around the home that you think are included in the sale should be specifically stated in your offer, such as appliances, light fixtures or window coverings), the amount of your deposit, dates you take legal and physical possession of the home, legal subjects or conditions upon which the contract becomes final (such as a satisfactory home inspection report or financing approval), and the date that the offer expires. Your offer is a legally binding document and should be prepared by a real estate professional or attorney.
TIME FRAME
Ensure that any time frames indicated in your contract are realistic, particularly if your offer is still subject to securing a mortgage loan, a situation best avoided by obtaining pre-approval in advance. High market activity, as well as increased vigilance by lenders, may mean that mortgage approval requires more time. Consult your agent and lender for the latest information.
Negotiating & Acceptance
After you submit your offer, the seller will have the option to accept, counter, or invite you to resubmit. This process can be stressful if there are a lot of counteroffers back and forth, but trust that your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent will be there to help you every step of the way. Once an offer is accepted, you will pay earnest money that will be put into an escrow account. This is a good faith deposit towards the purchase of the home and shows that you intend to follow through with the transaction. Next are the details on some of the steps you can expect in the process.
After you submit your offer, the seller will have the option to accept, counter, or invite you to resubmit. This process can be stressful if there are a lot of counteroffers back and forth, but trust that your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent will be there to help you every step of the way. Once an offer is accepted, you will pay earnest money that will be put into an escrow account. This is a good faith deposit towards the purchase of the home and shows that you intend to follow through with the transaction. Here are the details on some of the steps you can expect in the process:
PREPARATION
After submitting an offer, you should be prepared to negotiate, not just on the initial price, but on all key factors impacting the sale of the home, including deposit, inclusions, dates for completion and possession, and deadlines for subject removals. Ensure that you know your budget and purchase requirements prior to submitting your offer so that you don’t commit to additional costs in what can be an exciting, emotional, or heated process.
MULTIPLE OFFERS
In high-demand, low-inventory areas, you may find yourself bidding against other buyers. Some sellers in high-demand niche markets may also intentionally list their home at a low price, hoping to stimulate multiple offers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the price will be bid up significantly over the asking price, but it does mean that due diligence is required on your part and the part of your agent to ensure that your offer is strategic, competitive, and reflective of what you are ultimately willing to pay for the property. Whether you are anticipating competition or not, you should be preapproved for your mortgage prior to your home search, well in advance of submitting an offer. In a multiple-offer situation, this will impact your ability to negotiate successfully, particularly if others making an offer are already pre-approved. It also lets you know the maximum you can afford in what may be a stressful situation.
POTENTIAL RESPONSES
You can expect one of three responses to your offer:
• Accepted: The deal is complete and, once signed by the seller, the offer becomes a binding legal contract.
• Counteroffer: The seller may make changes to your offer, such as adjustments to the price, closing date, or conditions. You may accept the counteroffer and close the deal by signing the document. Or, you may make another counteroffer back to the seller.
• Rejected: The seller may choose to reject the offer and the sale will not go through.
OFFER ACCEPTANCE
Once both parties come to an agreement, negotiations conclude, and you move on to the next steps in the buying process. You will have a set period of time in which to satisfy the legal conditions agreed to in your contract, such as completing a satisfactory home inspection report or securing financing. Only after your conditions are removed do you have a legally binding document.
Inspections & Final Walk-through
Inspections are a critical step in the homebuying process. That’s why your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent will help guide you through the home inspection process, connecting you with the best service providers in the local area, and facilitating the process on your behalf.
After any necessary repairs are made and before you close on the property, you will perform a final walk-through. You will make sure the home is in the same condition as when you first viewed it, that there hasn’t been any catastrophic damage, and all the owner’s personal property has been removed.
Closing the Deal
The final step in your home buying journey comes at closing. Your Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent will help facilitate and manage this process by organizing critical paperwork, documentation, and approvals to help you reach your desired outcome.
ON CLOSING DAY
On the closing day itself, legal property ownership is transferred to your name. The mortgage amount is provided to the title company or your attorney by your lender. A title company makes sure that the title to a piece of real estate is legitimate and then issues title insurance for that property. Title insurance protects the lender and/or owner against lawsuits or claims against the property that result from disputes over the title. You will receive documentation with costs payable, including balance owing, legal fees, property transfer taxes, and other completion costs. The title company will pay the seller, complete any necessary documents, and register your home in your name.
On your closing day, your lender provides the mortgage money to the title company and you provide the down payment (minus your deposit) to your title company or attorney, as well as any remaining closing costs.
Title companies also often maintain escrow accounts―these contain the funds needed to close on the home―to ensure that this money is used only for settlement and closing costs, and may conduct the formal closing on the home. At the closing, a settlement agent from the title company will bring all the necessary documentation, explain it to the parties, collect closing costs, and distribute monies. Finally, the title company will ensure that the new titles, deeds, and other documents are filed with the appropriate entities.
Your agent can schedule the type of closing appointment that best fits your needs. Most closings will take place at the title company, an attorney’s office, or one of our office locations, where all paperwork is signed and keys are exchanged. Remote closings or fully contactless closings can also be arranged by your agent, with the assistance of online documentation, e-signature programs, and remote notaries.
Terms & Costs
Understanding Buyer’s Costs
EARNEST MONEY
You will pay earnest money or a good-faith deposit toward the purchase of property at the time of acceptance of the contract. The earnest money deposit is a negotiable amount between the buyer and seller, but usually about 1% to 3% of the purchase price or a fixed amount.
INSPECTION
The inspector will check major systems in the home as well as the structure and let you know what problems the house has if any. You can also get additional inspections including pests, etc. The cost starts at about $300 and goes up depending on home size.
OPTION FEE
This is a nominal fee paid from the buyer directly to the seller for a specified period of time during which the buyer can terminate the contract for ANY reason and receive their earnest money back in full.
APPRAISAL
Your lender will require an appraisal and the home must appraise for at least the amount you are offering to pay for it. Otherwise, you will have to come up with more money down or renegotiate the contract. The appraisal cost averages around $400.
LOAN FEES
These are lender fees and might include an application fee, origination fee, points, etc.
PROPERTY INSURANCE
This covers possible damages to your home. Your first year’s insurance is often paid at closing. Homeowner’s insurance can be rolled into your loan and paid from an escrow account.
PROPERTY TAXES
If the seller has already paid this year’s property taxes then you must reimburse them for the part of the year you will be the owner of the property. Typically, lenders will want any taxes due within 60 days of purchase by the loan servicer to be paid at closing.
SURVEY FEE
This fee goes to a survey company to verify all property lines and things like shared fences on the property.
ESCROW FEE
This is paid to the title company, escrow company, or attorney for conducting the closing. It is usually split between buyer and seller.
DOWN PAYMENT
The down payment is the amount you need to pay up front as part of your mortgage. Usually 3% to 20% of the sales price.
Understanding Seller’s Costs
AGENT COMMISSION
This is the fee paid to the listing agent for their services. This amount is usually taken out of the sales price and is split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.
ESCROW FEE
This is paid to the title company, escrow company, or attorney for conducting the closing. It is usually split between buyer and seller.
PROPERTY TAXES
The seller will be responsible for prorated property taxes due up to the date of the sale, at which point the buyer will take over.
TITLE INSURANCE
This one-time payment protects the future owner from the financial burden of sorting out title issues in court, whether they arise at closing or years down the road. It’s typical that buyers have sellers cover this cost.
ATTORNEY FEES
Some people choose to have an attorney help them with the transaction. If you do hire a lawyer, he or she will be paid on closing out of the proceeds from the sale.
HOME WARRANTY
It’s normal for a seller to pay for the coverage because it’s a seller benefit because the buyer won’t be calling the seller after closing if something breaks.
HOA TRANSFER
The seller will pay for this transfer which will show that the dues are paid current, what the dues are, a copy of the association financial statements, minutes, and notices.
BUYER’S COSTS
The buyer may ask the seller to help pay for some of their closing costs.
Buying Terms Made Easy
ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGE
Interest rates on this type of mortgage are periodically adjusted up or down depending on a specified financial index.
AMORTIZATION
A method of equalizing the monthly mortgage payments over the life of the loan, even though the proportion of principal to interest changes over time. In the early part of the loan, the principal repayment is very low, while the interest payment is very high. At the end of the loan, the relationship is reversed.
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE
The actual finance charge for a loan, including points and fees, in addition to the stated interest rate.
APPRAISAL
An expert opinion of the value or worth of a property.
ASSESSED VALUE
The value placed on a property by a municipality for purposes of levying taxes. It may differ widely from appraised or market value.
BALLOON PAYMENT
A large principal payment due all at once at the end of some loan terms.
CAP
A limit on how much the interest rate can change in an adjustable-rate mortgage.
CERTIFICATION OF TITLE
A document, signed by a title examiner, stating that a seller has an insurable title to the property.
CLOSING
The deed to a property is legally transferred from seller to buyer.
COMMISSION
A fee (usually a percentage of the total transaction) paid to an agent or broker for services performed.
COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS
A “CMA” is a survey of the attributes and selling prices of comparable homes on the market or recently sold; used to help determine a correct pricing strategy for a seller’s property.
CONTINGENCY
A condition in a contract that must be met for the contract to be binding.
CONTRACT
A binding legal agreement between two or more parties that outlines the conditions for the exchange of value (for example: money exchanged for title to property).
DEED
A legal document that formally conveys ownership of a property from seller to buyer.
DOWN PAYMENT
A percentage of the purchase price that the buyer must pay in cash and may not borrow from the lender.
EQUITY
The value of the property actually owned by the homeowner: purchase price, plus appreciation, plus improvements, less mortgages and liens.
ESCROW
A fund or account held by a third-party custodian until conditions of a contract are met.
FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE
Interest rates on this type of mortgage remain the same over the life of the loan.
FIXTURE
A recognizable entity (such as a kitchen cabinet, drape or light fixture) that is permanently attached to a property and belongs to the property when it is sold.
HAZARD INSURANCE
Compensates for property damage from specified hazards such as fire and wind.
INTEREST
The cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage rate.
LIEN
A security claim on a property until a debt is satisfied.
LISTING CONTRACT
An agreement whereby an owner engages a real estate company for a specified period of time to sell a property, for which, upon the sale, the agent receives a commission.
MARKET PRICE
The actual price at which a property sold.
MARKET VALUE
The price that is established by present economic conditions, location, and general trends.
MORTGAGE
Security claim by a lender against a property until the debt is paid.
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE
The MLS is a system that provides to its members detailed information about properties for sale.
ORIGINATION FEE
An application fee(s) for processing a proposed mortgage loan.
PITI
Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, forming the basis for monthly mortgage payments.
POINT
One percent of the loan principal. It’s charged in addition to interest and fees.
PRE-PAYMENT PENALTY
A fee paid by a borrower who pays off the loan before it is due.
PRINCIPAL
One of the parties to a contract; or the amount of money borrowed, for which interest is charged.
PROBATE
Divide or assess proportionately.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
A contract between buyer and seller that outlines the details of the property transfer; or refer to “Purchase and Sale Agreement” in this guide.
SETTLEMENT
All financial transactions required to make the contract final. See “Settlement and Closing” in this guide.
TITLE
A document that indicates ownership of a specific property.
TITLE SEARCH
Detailed examination of the entire document history of a property title to make sure there are no legal encumbrances.
Expertise that’s wherever you are and wherever you want to be. Nothing Compares.
