Transferring home ownership between family members can be problematic. Often, family members help each other out with a signature or by putting their name on the mortgage. However, you need to consider more than just a quit claim deed to transfer a title. Who is responsible for mortgage payments? Whose credit score will be affected by thy home loan? What happens if someone passes away? Who will inherit the property?
When you buy a home in "as is" condition, you're buying it the way it stands. But for some home buyers, "as is" condition is a little confusing. They're not sure if it means they can go back and sue the sellers if something is wrong physically with the house, or if the house also comes with the furniture and fixtures the way they saw it when they made their offer. What does buying a home in "as is" condition really mean?
If you decide to buy a house and change your mind just before closing can you get out of your home purchase contract? It depends on the contract and the reason that you want to cancel your home purchase. You may or may not be able to get your earnest money or down payment money back when you cancel a home purchase contract. To understand what to do it's advisable to contact a real estate attorney who can review your contract.
When making a for-sale-by-owner real estate purchase, it's important to have a real estate attorney who can assist you in the process and put together an "offer to purchase" contract. An attorney can ensure that the proper information is included in an offer to purchase contract. The attorney will provide legal advice about the offer to purchase contract and navigate other concerns when purchasing real estate that is for sale by owner.
When you buy a home you are responsible for having the utilities turned on in your name. Assuming the utilities will roll over or stay turned on can lead to damages if they get turned off in between occupants.
Possession is when you actually take control of the property. It is the last thing that usually happens in the home buying process, unless a special deal is made to allow the sellers to move out after closing, or for the buyers to get access to the property prior to closing. The seller might let you take possession early so that you can move in or get started on the remodeling. If you do close, and the sellers are keeping possession for a short period of time, you should put a portion of the closing funds into an escrow account at closing. These funds are an important piece of leverage you may need if the sellers decide perhaps they'll stay after all.
