Say What? Home-Buying Lingo You Should Know
Bonnie Garrett • February 12, 2025
If you are a first time home buyer or even a repeat buyer, you quickly realize that real estate has a language all its own. Understanding some of the lingo can help you navigate the process a little easier. By learning a few critical terms, you will be in a better position to ask the right questions and make the best decisions.
- Buyer’s Market – A real estate climate where the number of listings outnumber qualified buyers.
- Seller’s Market – A real estate climate when there are very few desirable properties listed for sale.
- Contingencies – Specific conditions included in an offer to protect the buyer against unexpected situations, such as inspection, loan approval, and appraisal value.
- Earnest Money – Money deposited when the offer is accepted. Subject to any contingencies, this money protects the seller from a buyer who simply changes her mind.
- Escrow Agent – A neutral 3rd party who manages the paperwork in a state where attorneys are not used to conclude the contract.
- Closing Costs – Fees that must be paid by both buyers to conclude the sale.
- Conforming Loan – A conforming loan is a loan limit by which the loan can be sold on the secondary market; a jumbo loan is one which is higher than this limit.
- PMI – PMI, private mortgage insurance is a fee paid by the borrower of a loan that they obtained with less than a 20% down payment.
These are just a few of the common terms used in real estate. If you are involved in a real estate transaction, learning a bit of the common lingo will help you understand the process better and make your home sale or purchase a smooth one.
What’s the Deal with 1031 Exchanges?
Why Student Rentals in Tuscaloosa Might Be Your Smartest Investment Yet
Technology is helpful in so many areas of life, even real estate. Twenty years ago, if someone were moving across the country, they’d have to wait to buy a house until they arrived to start their new life, or they’d have to buy a home without seeing it in person beforehand. Both options would cause […]
Summer is upon us and home designers are hard at work showcasing the upcoming trends for 2020. This year, kitchen design shows are filled with new materials, patterns and colors as enthusiasts look for the latest trends and styles. As we leave the dark granite countertops behind, kitchens are getting lighter, brighter and more streamlined […]
Are you ready to list your home for sale? One of the first questions you might have is, “how can I maximize my home value?” Every seller wants to get the best possible price for their home; fortunately there are ways to make sure your potential buyers see the true value of your property and […]
For generations, homeowners would buy a home for life. Working over the years to make the payments and celebrating the end of the 30-year mortgage were great milestones in the family. Today, few homebuyers expect to be in their home for longer than 7 years on average. Paying off a 30-year mortgage seems like an […]
Saving money each month toward a long-term goal is increasingly difficult for most people. Even committed savers can get thrown off track when unexpected problems or opportunities arise. It can be difficult to envision how $200 a month can add up to a new home; the dream of home ownership continues to get pushed back […]
Congratulations, you have multiple offers on your home listing. It’s exciting to hear that you have a choice in buyers. Yet how can you make sure that you choose the right offer? With varying sales prices and terms, comparing offers might be harder than you expected. Still – it’s a great problem to have. If […]
Selling your home? Every seller wants to make sure they sell their home for the best possible sales price. Getting top dollar for your home is not as complicated as you might think. By using a simple negotiation strategy, you can make sure receive the best price for your home listing. The first step in […]
