What does that mean anyway: Real Estate Lingo
Real Estate brokers have sometimes been accused of “shortening our words” or using terms that we think everyone already knows! So, here’s a little helpful guide, if you have trouble navigating real estate terminology!
What it says versus What it means
conveys with sale … it will STAY with the home
EIK … eat in kitchen
SS … stainless steel
HDW, HWF, Hdwd ….. hardwood floors
WIC …walk-in-closet
FDR ….. formal dining room
MLS...multiple listing system
FSBO ….. for sale by owner
Pre-approval … based on information you are able to provide to the lender. This will look much better than a pre-qualification to the seller.
Pre-qualified …. based on a 5 minute phone call to the lender and only on what you tell the lender. This is needed in order to even make an offer on a home.
due diligence funds …the funds the buyer gives the seller at time of contract to “buy time” off the market while they do their due diligence
due diligence or DD…all of the inspections and loan process, etc a buyer can exercise on a prospective home during their due diligence time period
Due diligence money- is non-refundable The good news is the money is typically credited towards the purchase of the home at closing.
Earnest money is “good faith” money. The buyer is showing the seller they are serious about buying the home.
contingency … a contract on a home that is dependent on you selling your existing home
3 BR/2BA 3 bedrooms and 2 baths
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I’m sure we’ve missed a few, feel free to leave comments with any you might still be wondering about and we’ll do our best to define them.
We are here to help you navigate your real estate needs and ALL the terms that come along with that!
Welcome home!
When a market is hot, finding and buying a home can feel like an uphill battle. In a seller’s market, homes go quickly. They can be on the market one day and gone the next. And on top of the challenge of finding a home, most homes (especially the desirable ones) have multiple offers, making it harder to get into the home of your dreams.
But buying a home in a hot market isn’t impossible! You just have to approach it strategically and stack the deck in your favor to find – and successfully buy – the right home for you and your family.
Here are four tips for buying a home in a hot market that will put you a step ahead of the home-buying competition: 
We chatted with Janice Durham, VP, Branch Manager of the Fuquay-Varina First Bank location, about what it means to bank locally and keep your dollars not only in state but right in your own hometown.
Banking local and shopping local share the same goal: to ensure your dollars have the largest impact on your community. Reports show that of every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 goes straight bank into the community (compared to $43 when shopping at a large chain).
Similarly, by choosing a local bank over a large, national bank means that your dollars stay here for investment in small business development; in the organizations that lend and provide services to your friends, family, or neighbors; and in the community itself.
What Makes a Community Bank Different? 
As I said at the beginning there is some low inventory with homes priced under $300,000.00; however, if you don’t look for a home then you surely won’t fine one, and there are homes to be found even in that price range. So what else do you need to consider in a home purchase? First, do you have enough money to buy a home?
The Price Tag…..
There are several loan programs available that will get you into a home for zero or a very low down payment with reasonable interest rates. But you will need to have some cash to cover expenses like the appraisal ($450) which is paid upfront and out-of-pocket in the home buying process. You will also need money for closing costs, which come due on the day you sign the promissory note at closing.
If you don’t have enough cash to cover the closing costs, talk to your realtor about negotiating these into the sales contract. There is an easy way to handle this scenario. Let’s say that you want to purchase a home that’s listed at $187,500.00. You would like to pay $185,000 for the house and you know that you need $5,000 to help cover closing costs. Simply ask your Realtor to write the offer to purchase for $190,000 with the seller paying $5,000 in closing costs.
Show me the Money…
But how do you know how much closing costs are going to be? And, how do you know if you earn enough money to be able to qualify for a mortgage loan to begin with? Now we come to the crux of the matter. The best way to answer these questions is to call me and start the application process. With just a little information, I can quickly see if you can be prequalified for a mortgage loan. I can also make sure that you’re taking advantage of the best loan programs available.
Home-ownership is part of the American dream; and with interest rates still at historically low levels now is a great time to explore your options. Call me today and let’s get started on getting you into the home of your dreams!
Jenny Miller
Loan Officer
NMLS: 1054076
Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company
6736 Falls of Neuse Road Suite 120
Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone: 
