Due Diligence

The NC Offer To Purchase and Contract now uses a Due Diligence Clause to replace the old Loan Contingency and Home Inspection period. Previously, a buyer would have a short time frame in which to conduct their home inspection through a 'Home Inspection Contingency' and a longer time frame to work through the loan process through a 'Loan Contingency'. If the buyer failed to finish either task during the specified time frame they would lose their right to get their 'Earnest Money' deposit back. If the buyer did not like the results of the home inspection they could back out of the contract and have their earnest money refunded back to them during the time frame laid out in the Home Inspection Clause section of the contract.

Likewise, if the buyer failed to obtain their loan, they could back of the contract and get their earnest money back as long as they did so during the Loan Contingency time frame.

This has all been replaced with the Due Diligence section of the new contract. The sets up a timeframe for the buyer to perform their due diligence. During this period, the potential buyer can do whatever they feel necessary to reach a point where they are comfortable going through with the purchase. Typically, this entails getting a home inspection performed and a home mortgage set up. The home inspection takes 2 or 3 weeks to get done and any repairs negotiated.

Unfortunately, the Due Diligence also replaces the Loan Contingency. The loan process typically needs 40-45 days to get the appraisal and loan documentation completed. To protect their buyers, agents will write up the due diligence period with a long enough time frame to allow their buyers to jump through all the hoops necessary to get a loan. You can expect to see the buyer of your property ask for a 40 day Due Diligence Period in order to have enough time to get their loan.

This Due Diligence Clause puts a lot of power in the buyers hands. During the Due Diligence Period, the buyer can walk away from the contract without giving any reason and get their Earnest Money returned to them. So, if you sign a contract for the sale of your house with a 40 day due diligence period, the buyer will be free to change their mind for any or no reason during those 40 days and get their earnest money back.

To protect the sellers represented by Shore Realty, we rewrite these contracts eliminating the 40 day due diligence period with a shorter time frame. Here is an article about the Loan Contingency that replaces the long due diligence period. This shorter time frame allows the buyer to get their home inspection completed, the loan contingency gives them enough time to get a loan and the can't walk away from the deal a couple of days before closing.

Choosing an Agent

Value Guarantee - What other company is willing to guarantee their home evaluations?
Easy Exit Listing Agreement - If you think you made a mistake choosing Shore Realty, we don't lock you into a listing you don't want.
Feedback - Learn what other agents and their clients think about your property.
Commission - You choose how much you want to pay.
Electronic Signatures - easy peasy paperwork.
Rental Income Protection - see how we help protect your rental income.
Brand Name Realty - Not here.
Agents Buying Listings - The last thing you want to do is use price as the criteria for deciding which agent to use!
Sneaky Agents ....learn to protect yourself.

Pricing

What's Your Property Worth? What the neighbors say is usually wrong.
Chasing The Market - Easy trap to fall into and expensive.
Absorption Rate How long to get rid of existing housing inventory?
Market Value What is Fair Market Value?
Fair Market Value - how fair is fair?
Competitive Market Analysis - You will be provided with a complete Competitive Market Analysis showing you just how your house compares to others in the same neighborhood. Sign up HERE

Marketing

Print Advertising - Your property will receive unprecedented continuous exposure every month it is listed for sale. Your ad will appear every month in the Homes and Land magazine, instead of the typical ad rotation.
Virtual Floor Plan - Each residence is measured room by room for a concise virtual floor plan with lots of inter grated pictures of the property for a true Virtual Tour and not just a slide show of pictures.
Maximum Internet Exposure - Your property will be exposed to millions of people on 30 national real estate websites and with 8 news organizations including ABC, FOX, New York Post, Washington Post, New York Times and Cox Media.
Professional Photography - Don't let your house languish on the market because of poor quality pictures. Too many listing agents treat photos like it was still the last century. Pictures sell real estate!
Lock Boxes - Electronic lock boxes provide 21st century access.
MLS - Your property information will be entered into the Multiple Listing Service, including color photographs of the interior and exterior of the house, if applicable.
Open Houses - If the first Open House has a good turn out we will follow up with more.
Reverse Offer - Backwards real estate.
As Is - Is this the best way to get what you want?

The Offer

Low Offers - Blessing in disguise!
Loan Contingency Protection from flaky buyers.
Counteroffer What to do after the offer comes in.
Earnest Money Deposit Who gets to keep it.
Due Diligence You won't believe how the state treats sellers in the new Offer To Purchase.
Time is of the Essence Hurry up and get in line.
Emotions - Don't let them get in the way.

The Closing

Advanced Rental Deposits Who gets the money?
Out of State Sellers do not need to worry.
Closing Costs - How much more will it cost?
Utility Transfer Lastly, let's get rid of those utility bills.

Not Ready Just Yet? Home Selling Articles

Sold Update - Receive automatic email updates when a property sells in your Neighborhood!
Home Warranty ....while your property is for sale.
Buyer Agency And You The Seller
Termites - Save $500 or more on the sale of yurt house!
Tips For Selling
Do Not Call Stop the annoying phone calls.
Home Inspections - should you get one?
Working With Real Estate Agents explains agency and is required reading by the state of North Carolina.