Get everything in writing
We’re in the home stretch of our series on common mistakes made by buyers and sellers in the real estate market.
Over the past few weeks, I talked about these errors — and how avoiding those might save you stress and money down the road:
Hiring the first salesperson you meet
Not making your expectations clear with your real estate representative
Forgetting about what’s within the walls
Forgetting about what’s outside the walls Not doing your research Making verbal agreements I’ll now run through the next two common mistakes to be aware of, if you’re looking to buy or sell a property. Mistake: Failing to read and understand forms and contracts
This is one I talk about quite often, because I can’t stress enough its importance. Reading through forms and contracts is something that should never be rushed. There’s a lot of paperwork associated with buying or selling a home, and the devil really is in the details. You’re dealing with binding contracts, so it’s important that you take your time when going through the fine print before you sign your name on the dotted line.
If you’re unsure about something written in your contract, ask your salesperson or real estate lawyer to explain it to you. Then, once you understand everything fully, determine whether you are comfortable with it.
There are terms and conditions in real estate paperwork that you should discuss with your representative. For instance, for what length of time does your representation agreement with your brokerage cover? It’s important you understand these details. Once everything is said and done and you have proceeded to sign, be sure to keep a copy of the contract for your records. Mistake: Assuming everything is included
One thing we often hear at RECO is the presumption that all the appliances, light fixtures and window coverings are included in the sale of a house. This is a common misconception. It’s possible that the seller will want to hold on to these items — perhaps their fridge or their blinds, for example, were recent purchases that they would like to continue using in their new home.
To avoid misunderstandings later on, it’s a good idea to detail all items, in writing, in your offer. And what about those items that are rented or leased? Ensure you learn the details of the items that are not owned by the seller, and outline in your offer whether those rental or lease agreements will be transferred to you, or whether the seller will pay the outstanding costs. It is also important that you review the rental agree- ments for any leased items, so that you understand how much the cost is per month, and how much the costs might be if you wanted to get out of a lease once you take it over.
Check back next week for the final part of this series, where I’ll reveal the last two mistakes to avoid when buying or selling a home. Joe Richer is registrar of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). He oversees and enforces all rules governing real estate professionals in Ontario. Email questions to askjoe@reco.on.ca. Find more tips at reco.on.ca, follow on Twitter @RECOhelps or on YouTube at youtube.com/ RECO helps.