A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent and a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, a real estate trade association. REALTOR®° also belong to their state and local Association of REALTORS®.
A real estate agent is licensed by the state to represent parties in the transfer of property. Every REALTOR® is a real estate agent, but not every real estate agent has the professional designation of a REALTORS®.
A key role of the listing agent or broker is to form a legal relationship with the homeowner to sell the property and place the property in the Multiple Listing Service.
A key role of the buyer's agent or broker is to work with the buyer to locate a suitable property and negotiate a successful home purchase.
The MLS is a database of properties listed for sale by REALTORS® who are members of the local Association of REALTORS®. Information on an MLS property is available to thousands of REALTORS®.
These are the people who carry out the title search and examination, work with you to eliminate the title exceptions you are not willing to take subject to and provide the policy of title insurance regarding the title to the real property.
An escrow officer leads the facilitation of your escrow, including escrow instructions preparation, document preparation, funds disbursement, and more.
The escrow is the process of having a neutral party manage the exchange of money for real property. The escrow holder is known as an escrow or settlement officer or agent. The buyer deposits funds and the seller deposits a deed with the escrow holder along with all of the other documents required to remove all "contingencies" (conditions and approvals) in the purchase agreement prior to closing.
Once a purchase agreement is signed by all necessary parties, the agent representing the party who will pay the fee selects an escrow holder, and the buyer's earnest money deposit and contract are submitted to the escrow holder. From this point, the escrow holder will follow the mutual written instructions of the buyer and seller, maintaining a neutral stance to ensure that neither party has an unfair advantage over the other. The escrow holder also follows the instructions of the Buyer's new lender, the seller's existing lender, and both parties' agents, The escrow holder ensures the transparency of the transaction, while carefully maintaining the privacy of the consumers.
Open escrow and, if instructed to do so, deposit your good faith funds in a separate escrow account.
Order a title search to determine ownership and status of the subject real property.
Issue a preliminary report and begin the process of eliminating the title exceptions you and your lender are not willing to take title subject to.
Request payoff information for the seller's loans, other liens, homeowner's association fees, etc.
Coordinate with the buyer's lender on the preparation of the Closing Disclosure (CD).
Prorate fees, such as real property taxes, per the contract, and prepare the settlement statement.
Set separate appointments allowing the seller and you to sign documents and deposit funds.
Review documents ensuring all conditions and legal requirements are fulfilled; request funds from lender.
When all funds are deposited, record documents with the County Recorder's Office to transfer the subject real property to you.
After the recordation is confirmed, close escrow and disburse funds, including Seller's proceeds, loan payoffs, etc.
Prepare and send final documents to all parties involved.
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