enjoys a neutral state between seller and buyer, and helps provide assurance to both parties. The agent is also heavily involved in the actual transaction to ensure the clauses of the offer will be met completely, accurately, and satisfactorily. Further, the escrow agent serves as the manager of the trust account that holds the funds that will cover the value of the transaction. You might be wondering how long the money that you will deposit remains “in escrow.” The money collected from the buyer is held in escrow until the seller completes his or her obligations, and transfers the title over to the buyer. After this transfer is authorized, verified, and completed, the payment is then remitted to the seller. The “good faith” or “earnest” money is used to cover some of the down payment, the purchase price, and the closing costs. STEP 9: NEGOTIATE WITH THE SELLER The negotiation process in real estate transactions is one of the key steps for both the buyer and the seller. While the seller and listing agent want to sell the home for the reasonably highest amount they can, the buyer and the buyer’s agent want to get the best deal that they can. It can feel like a competition, and this is
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