Tools and Resources

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Tips and Resources

Check out the numerous specialized reports below that are conveniently offered by Georgetown Realty. These reports are provided free of charge and have been able to help simplify the process for numerous home buyers and sellers.


Browse the list in the box below, and click on any topic that interests you. You will be taken to an appropriate section to read a little more about the subject you have inquired about. If interested in learning more, you will receive the full report by e-mail or postal mail at your request.


Sellers Resources

Buyer Resources


Frequently Asked Questions from Sellers:

  • If my home goes in the multiple listing service, what options do I have?
  • If my agent brings me a buyer, who do they represent?
  • What are some considerations I should expect with an offer to purchase my home?
  • Do I need to concern myself with disclosing the condition of my home to a buyer?
  • If I know that there are things about my home that are broken, in disrepair, or failing in any way, should I repair them?
  • Why should I consider a Home Owner's Warranty?
  • Do all buyer's get home inspections and can I review the report?
  • Am I obligated to make all the repairs the buyer requests of me?
  • What should I know about oil tanks
  • What should I know about lead-based paint?
  • Will title insurance protect me against things that go wrong in the transaction?
  • What's the difference between a buyer that is "pre-approved" vs. "pre-qualified"?
  • Is it smart for me to accept an offer that is contingent on the buyer's home selling?
  • What's the difference between the "closing date", the "recording date" and "possession"?
  • What are closing costs?

Frequently Asked Questions from Buyers:

  • Should I be "pre-approved" or "pre-qualified" before I start looking for a home?
  • Can my agent show me any house listed with a real estate company or should I call the agent on the sign?
  • What's the benefit of committing to a "buyer's agent"?
  • Who pays my agent's commission?
  • Do I need my agent with me while I am looking for homes on my own?
  • What's the difference between a "sales agreement" and an "earnest money"?
  • Is a Home Warranty a good idea for me?
  • Am I required to get a home inspection?
  • Can I use an engineer or a general contractor or a friend to do my home inspection?
  • Is the seller obligated to make all the repairs that I request?
  • What should I know about oil tanks?
  • What should I know about lead-based paint?
  • Will title insurance protect me against things that go wrong in the transaction?
  • What are closing costs?
  • What are points in a loan?
  • What's the difference between the "closing date", the "recording date" and "possession"?
  • What are things I should know about going into closing?

Home Owners Tips

Legal Tips

Guides, Reports and Documents

Selecting a Real Estate Agent - When selecting an agent there are many questions you should ask about them and their company. This guide gives you those questions.


The Buying and Selling Process - This helpful guide outlines the typical process a buyer/seller goes through with the purchase or selling of a home. It identifies the key elements to a transaction starting with the search process, the submission of the offer, the details after the offer has been accepted, and finally what both parties should expect at closing.


Preparing Your Home for the Buyer - This helpful guide assists the seller in making their home shine and show well. From tips on making your home attractive with a lasting first impression to recommended repairs and cosmetic improvements to targeting rooms that need your additional attention, you will receive tips that increase the marketability of your home.


How Can I Improve My Home's Marketability - This information is provided in a succinct format that tells you exactly what you should and should not do when marketing your home.


What Should I Know About My House Being Shown - Making a lasting impression when someone tours your home is extremely important. This guide gives you suggestions on things you should do before your home is shown and during the tour.


What Should I Know About Moving - This guide will save you hours of frustrations and overload. It includes the tasks you should complete before moving, the day of moving, and once you have moved in. It gives you packing tips for your personal belongings, your pets, your plants, and suggestions for a smooth transition with your moving company.


Finding Your Dream Home - Finding the right house can be a snap or a struggle. The key is communicating clearly with your agent what your needs are. This section helps you define your priorities and identify clearly your needs to your agent.


Tips on Choosing the Right House - Once you have found a house that fits your needs, you need ask the right questions to make sure that all the elements of the house are in order. Items to consider may just one of the following: schools, CC & R's, oil tanks, easements, condition of the septic or well, and more. Know the right questions to ask by reviewing this section.


What Should I Know About Home Inspections - What is an inspection? When is it performed? Who pays for it? Is it better to use an inspector or an engineer or a contractor? These questions and more are answered in this section.


What I Need to Know About Underground Oil Tanks - Over the years, more attention has been given to the issue of underground storage tanks. This section helps you to identify whether you have one or not, what kind it is, and what you should do if you are buying or selling a home that has one.


What I Need to Know About Bankruptcies - This 9 page report, prepared by Toija J. Beutler, general counsel for Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, contains valuable information you will want to know about the different types of bankruptcy, the automatic stay, pre-petition transfers, property acquired after bankruptcy, sale of property free and clear of liens, abandonment of property, and bankruptcy court orders.


What I Need to Know About Foreclosures - This 12 page report, prepared by Toija J. Beutler, general counsel for Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, contains valuable information you will want to know about pre-foreclosure considerations, foreclosure remedies, and how it effects you.


What I Need to Know About Judgments - This 8 page report, prepared by Toija J. Beutler, general counsel for Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, defines a judgment, how it becomes a lien, what the lien attaches to, what is the priority of a judgment lien, can a judgment lien be assigned, how it is removed from the record, when you can ignore them, and when you have to be aware from a dissolution of marriage or by someone else placing a lien against your property.


What I Need to Know About Living Trusts - This 9 page report, prepared by Toija J. Beutler, general counsel for Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, defines a trust, how a trust avoids probate, how it is created, who can act for a trust, can it be changed, and it is used to transfer real property.


What I Need to Know About Avoiding Claims Against Sellers - This 8 page report, prepared by Robert E. Lowe, Vice-President & general counsel for Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, addresses the issues of fraud, disclosures, merger, deed warranties, implied warranty on new homes, buyer's remedies, and title insurance claims.


What I Need to Know About Tax Deferred 1031 Exchanges - This 15 page report, prepared by Equity Advantage, Incorporated, a 1031 tax deferred facilitator, explains the purpose of an exchange, what are the requirements, how to create an exchange, partnership exchanges, reverse exchanges, the improvement exchange, how exchanges are disallowed, and when you might be classified as a dealer and be exempt from an exchange.



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