Chris Hoffman

In most states, your agent is require to provide you with a copy of yoru documents, typically electronically. Most real estate offices are required to keep all documents on file for 3 years. You never know whne the information form your real estate transaction amy be needed. I woudl reccomend kepping an eletronic copy for at least 3-5 years. Even longer if you can. You never know wnat you may need, untill you need it.

I lot of agents are mentioning the FHA 203K program, which is a good program. However, there is a conventional version of that program called a Convetional Homestyle loan. Its a little mroe felxible, and may give you a better chance of securing a property, if you are in a multiple offer situation. You will need to find a repuatble lender who has experianc and knowledge, specifically with a Conventional Homestyle loan.

Your real estate agent works for you, and in your best interest. In most state they have a fiduciary responsability to leagally and ethically work in yoru highest and best interest. Therefore, its in your best interest to disclose everything you can. In simple terms, think of them as your defense attorney. They are on your side and need to knwo all the information to advise you and help you. I fell that if you hold something back, your are actually hurting yourself. Your real estate agent is your advocate.

Escrow basically means to hold some thing until something occurs. In real estate, a buyer will make a deposit, typically referred to as the earnest money deposit. That deposit will be held in escrow until closing day. The deposit is held in an escrow account, which is a protected account that has certain rules as to win. Those funds can be accessed. Once a contract has been executed, and a buyer makes a deposit, the listing broker places that deposit into an escrow account. So in real estate that is referred to as opening escrow, we are in escrow, it just means that a deposit was made to hold the property while the buyer gets their mortgage and or does their due diligence, everything they need to do before the closing date.