appliances—you must detail each item in the contract. You can attach a comprehensive list. Sign the contract: There’s a signature block for all parties at the end of the contract. Include both printed names and respective signatures in the correct places.
STAGE 2: PAYMENT
The FSBO contract must include the full price of sale, description of how the amount is to be paid (cash or financing; all at once or in installments), how much earnest money (deposit) will be paid, and which agency (escrow or some other trust) will hold the earnest money until the sale is complete. You’ll also detail who pays the property taxes until the sale is complete. Usually, it’s the seller.
STAGE 3: DISCLOSURES
Disclosing every problem or issue you know about the property is a very important part of writing a clean contract. Withholding problems or concealing defects, like a leaky roof, is illegal and can get you in a peck of trouble. To make matters worse, states have different disclosure regulations. However, in most places, you are only required to disclose what you know. That’s why it’s not a good idea to hire a home inspector before you put your property on the market. Yes, you’ll know what needs fixing; but you’ll also have to disclose any problems the inspector finds, whether you fixed them or not. Disclosures can be tricky. And if you’re planning to use a real estate attorney for the closing, now is a good time to touch base and ask him to look over or help you prepare the disclosure statement. It’s an ounce of legal protection that might save a lot of 73
Powered by FlippingBook