1. How long have you been working in the industry? Look for a credible track record and successful work experience.

2. Are you licensed, insured and bonded? Ensure your contractor is licensed and carries workers’ comp and liability insurance. Although bonding isn’t a universal requirement, it could protect you if a job isn’t completed.

3. Do you guarantee your work in writing? While a verbal guarantee is nice, draft a written guarantee stating exactly what’s covered to ensure the contractor will have to stand behind the work.

4. Can you provide references? Ratings and reviews are great, but beware contractors who won’t offer customer references.

5. Do you pull all the required permits? Failing to pull the required permits can cost you big time. If your contractor is hesitant to get the necessary paperwork, find a new one.

6. Who will be managing the project? If your contractor isn’t in charge of your job, insist on meeting the project manager to ensure he or she
measures up to your standards.

7. What’s the project timeline and daily work schedule? Construction scheduling is never perfect—workers get sick, orders get delayed and weather causes interruptions. But an organized contractor will provide you with a work schedule that clearly outlines a start and end date.

8. Will you need bathroom facilities? Unless your job is a major remodel that necessitates bringing in a portable bathroom, there’s a good chance workers will need to use your facilities. Dedicate a bathroom to workers before you start the project.

9. Will you need my garage code or keys, and who will have access? Many homeowners feel uncomfortable handing over the keys to their home. Unless you plan on staying home during the construction, you’ll likely need to give a contractor access to your house. Knowing who has the keys will give you better peace of mind.

10. Will you sign a contract? All worthwhile contractors will write out a clear contract that defines the work to be performed, as well as the material, costs and completion timeframes of the project. The agreement should also include a termination clause that spells out the circumstances in which both parties can terminate the contract.

Source: HomeAdvisor

After a buyer has agreed to purchase a home from a seller, the escrow process begins. This is designed to make sure that all the necessary conditions and obligations are met so the transaction can proceed smoothly.

Purpose of Escrow
Escrow is designed to protect all the parties involved in a real estate transaction from risk and to ensure that everyone is acting in good faith. The seller will need to prove that he or she owns the house and that it’s not subject to any liens from third parties that could prevent or complicate the sale. The buyer will need to prove that he or she has the funds necessary to buy the house or the financial means to obtain a mortgage.

What Happens During the Escrow Process
Escrow is generally a mandatory part of a real estate transaction that starts after the seller accepts the buyer’s offer to purchase the house. The law related to the escrow process varies by state, but in general an escrow agent, who is a neutral third party with no vested interest in the transaction, is assigned to handle the process and to protect each involved party from risk. The escrow agent is paid a fee that represents a small percentage of the sale price. This fee can be paid by the buyer, the seller or both.

Earnest money is a small percentage of the sale price that the buyer provides to demonstrate that he or she is serious about buying the house. In exchange, the seller takes the house off the market. After the sale is completed, the earnest money is applied to the buyer’s down payment. Until the sale is finalized, the earnest money and the house are both considered to be in escrow.

The escrow agent collects the sales contract, earnest money and contingencies related to insurance, inspections, repairs and any other requirements that must be met to finalize the sale. These items are placed in an account and stay there until the buyer and seller have fulfilled all their duties required by the terms of the contract.

Once all parties have met their obligations and all the necessary documents have been signed, the mortgage lender pays the money due to the seller. Then the deed is recorded in the name of the new owner, escrow closes and the buyer can move into the house.

Understand How Escrow Works
The escrow process is designed to protect both the buyer and the seller in a real estate transaction. It allows each party to be confident that the other is acting in good faith and meeting the requirements set forth in the contract. Escrow also allows each party that is due payment to receive the appropriate amount in a timely manner. If you have any questions about the escrow process as it relates to your specific situation, talk to your real estate agent.

 

When prospective buyers look at a house, they also pay attention to the neighborhood as a whole. One unkempt, overgrown yard can lower the value of surrounding properties, even ones that are immaculately maintained. If you’re concerned about how your neighbors’ neglect of their property could be affecting your own home’s value, there are several ways you can address the situation.

Find Out Why Your Neighbors Aren’t Taking Care of Their Yard
If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, try to have a pleasant chat about the situation in order to determine why the property is being neglected. They might not realize how the condition of their yard affects everyone else’s property values, or they might be unable to properly care for their yard because of physical limitations, financial costs, hectic work schedules, or family responsibilities.

If your neighbors are unable to handle the upkeep of their yard, you and others in the community might be able to volunteer a few hours on a weekend to help out, or local teenagers might be willing to perform yardwork at much lower rates than professional landscapers would charge. Another option is to organize a neighborhood-wide cleanup effort and encourage everyone to participate so that no one feels singled out.

What to Do If Your Neighbors Won’t Listen
If you’ve tried to address the issue politely, but your neighbors were dismissive or hostile, you can bring the issue to the attention of authorities. If your community belongs to a homeowners association (HOA), take the issue up with them. The purpose of an HOA is to enforce rules and standards to maintain the appearance of the neighborhood and to protect everyone’s property values. The body can contact the homeowners in writing to let them know that the current condition of their property violates the rules, require specific corrective actions, and impose penalties for noncompliance. If other neighbors share your concerns, the HOA will be more inclined to take the matter seriously.

If your neighborhood doesn’t belong to a homeowners association, you can raise the issue with the local government. In addition to your concerns about property values, there could be other dangers, such as broken items in the yard that could harm children or pets, and possibly crime. If other neighbors express similar concerns, you can present a united front to the local government and encourage them to address the issue with the homeowners.

Try to Handle the Issue Amicably
It’s generally a good idea to avoid confrontations with neighbors whenever possible. When people live close together and see each other every day, conflicts and misunderstandings can quickly escalate. If your neighbors are neglecting their property, that might be a sign that they need help. Try to find out why they aren’t taking care of their yard, frame your concerns as a desire to protect everyone’s property values and safety, and look for ways to provide assistance if needed. If those efforts fail, contact your homeowners association or local government.