When you are buying or selling a property, having a basic understanding of real estate terms is always helpful. What we will look at in this series of articles are definitions starting with “Pre-Approval Letter.”
a) Pre-Approval Lender Letter. This is defined as a writing from a lender which states that a potential buyer has approval to borrow a stated amount of money from his firm based on having documented all the personal information needed. Aside from the final approval being only subject to the lender’s receiving a copy of a contract to purchase real estate, there is also a satisfactory appraisal of that real estate, and its underwriting department’s review of all pertinent information. This would also mean that the buyer qualifies so long as the property does and no changes occur.
b) Pre-Qualification Lender Letter. A writing from a lender stating that a potential buyer is able to get a loan in a named amount. Typically, the price of real property to be purchased, and what information the lender had when forming his opinion is stated here. The opinion of a lender who has pulled a borrower’s credit file is worth more than if he just based it on what the borrower told him.
c) Real Estate or Real Property. This refers to the ground, any plants growing in it, any minerals under it, and any buildings or other improvements built on it.
4. Septic System. A self contained means of disposing of sewerage which tends to intimidate city dwellers is what this is also called. There is a simple version and that is a holding tank in which enzyme and bacterial action decomposes the waste material and buried lines in a drainage field which uses soil to strain out what remains. This works very well in soil which percolates well (water drains through it quickly). More elaborate septic systems are often needed in areas with heavy, clay soil and in areas with a high water table. Some properties are totally unsuited for septic systems and cannot be built on until public sewer is available.
Title Insurance. Knowing the insurance that will compensate the insured for the value of his ownership or collateral position in real property if a person not thought to be a current owner materializes as an owner is very important. (I’ve seen this come into play when property was owned by many heirs a generation or two ago.)
f) Townhouse. Also known as a single family attached dwelling unit with common walls.
It’s not a be-all, end-all, but we have covered lots of the important definitions and concepts needed to successfully handle your for sale by owner transaction.