Escrows & appraisals

Once you accept an offer, we move into the escrow phase—and there are several important steps ahead.

Property Inspections

Most buyers will schedule a licensed home inspection during the agreed-upon timeframe in the contract. Some buyers may bring in additional specialists—such as roofing, HVAC, or structural inspectors—to get expert opinions on specific areas of concern.

If issues are found, buyers may ask for repairs or credits, or they may cancel the contract (depending on the terms of their inspection contingency). I’ll help you review inspection reports and navigate any requests that come up—always keeping your best interests in mind.

Appraisal

If the buyer is using financing, their lender will require an appraisal. A licensed appraiser will assess the home’s value to confirm it aligns with the purchase price. This protects the lender’s investment and ensures the buyer isn’t overpaying.

For commercial properties, additional reports such as environmental audits or soil tests may also be required by the lender.

Title & Escrow

A title and escrow company will be selected to assist with closing the transaction. Their job is to ensure the property has a clear title—free of liens, unpaid taxes, or legal claims—and to prepare the necessary documents for closing. They’ll also handle holding and disbursing funds throughout the process.

Contingencies

Contingencies are conditions that must be met for the sale to proceed. Common contingencies include:

• Inspection Contingency: Buyer reviews the home’s condition through inspections.
• Appraisal Contingency: Buyer’s lender confirms the home appraises at or above the purchase price.
• Financing Contingency: Buyer secures loan approval.
• Document Review: Buyer reviews title reports, disclosures, and HOA documents (if applicable).

If all contingencies are satisfied, we move forward toward closing. However, if concerns arise, buyers may request repairs, price adjustments, or in rare cases, cancel the contract.

Handling Renegotiations

If a buyer asks to renegotiate based on inspections or the appraisal, I’ll guide you through your options and help you respond strategically and objectively—always with your goals in mind. My job is to help you navigate this process calmly and confidently, while protecting your bottom line.

Loan Approval

It’s always recommended to work with buyers who have a strong financial position. Ideally, they’ll provide a pre-approval or formal loan commitment (which carries more weight than a simple pre-qualification).

Once we’re through the loan process and the appraisal is complete, we’re one step closer to closing day.