All Topics > Real Estate Resources > Residential Real Estate Transactions >

Residential Real Estate Transactions New York

Learn what the realtor's role is in a residential real estate transaction.

Local Companies

Calamar Development
(716) 693-0006
3949 Forest Parkway
Wheatfield, NY

Cityview Properties, LLC
(716) 856-8400
726 Exchange St., Ste. 600
Buffalo, NY

Mary Collins Real Estate, Inc.
(845) 687-0911
Route 213 East
High Falls, NY

BA Construction Services LLC
518-786-6000
4 British American Blvd
Latham, NY

Cityfeet
212-924-6450
11 west 25th street
new york, NY

NY retail Leasing
(646) 722-0176
20 w 20th street
new york, NY

1031 Investment Services LLC
(914) 447-3785
12 Ackerman Court
Croton on Hudson, NY

Battery Park Reality
(212) 786-1789
21 South End Avenue
New York, NY

Feldman Weinstein
(212) 869-7000
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

Clover Management
(716) 688-4503
348 Harris Hill Rd.
Williamsville, NY

Adapted From: Real Estate License Exams For Dummies

Buying and selling houses is the primary business of real estate brokers and salespeople. Here's an overview of a typical house sale involving real estate agents.

A couple decides to sell their house and enlist the services of a real estate agent. You're one of several realtors the couple invites to their home to hear your listing presentation and explain what services you offer. In addition, you probably advise the couple on what price they'll be able to get for their house. After meeting with several agents, the couple chooses you, signing a listing agreement and agreeing to allow you to represent them as their agent in the transaction.

As the couple's real estate agent, you begin marketing the property. In communities that have a multiple listing service (MLS), you enter their house information into a computer so that all other agents in the community can see what you've listed for sale. In communities with no MLS, agents may spread the word around to other real estate agencies that they have a particular house for sale.

An agent across town who's been working to find a house for another couple sees your house on the MLS and gets in touch with you, asking for more details and making sure the house still is for sale. The cross-town agent then contacts his buyers, and they agree to take a look at the house. After seeing the house, they agree to make an offer.

The way a buyer's offer is presented varies in different communities. Sometimes the offer is made in person with the buyer's agent present. The offer usually is made in writing with a small check from the prospective buyer that's called a binder or earnest money.

Assuming that your seller either accepts the offer immediately or engages in negotiations that result in a deal, a contract of sale then is prepared. Exactly who prepares the contract varies by state and region. In many places, however, the seller's real estate agent prepares the contract, sometimes filling in the blanks of a preprinted contract form, but in other places, only attorneys prepare the contract. After the contract is signed, the conditions within the contract are triggered.

A typical real estate sales contract includes a provision for the buyer to obtain mortgage financing and may have provisions for the house to be inspected by a home inspector or engineer. The contract usually includes a provision that a marketable title must be conveyed. A marketable title means that a reasonable and proper search of the records has been conducted, showing that the title to the property has been documented from earlier owners to the current seller so that it can be conveyed (or transferred) without questions as to who the owner is. A records search that proves whether a title is marketable is called a title search. Title insurance also may be purchased (or even required) as part of the contract process to ensure that the title is legal.

When all of the contract provisions are satisfactorily completed and met, the buyer and seller may proceed to closing, taking the real estate agent one step closer to getting paid. By general agreement, the commission usually is paid at the closing. When more than one broker is involved, the broker representing the seller distributes the preapproved share of the commission to the buyer's representative. Each broker then splits a portion or percentage of the commission with the salesperson who worked the deal.

provided by:

For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.

Featured Local Company

Calamar Development

(716) 693-0006
3949 Forest Parkway
Wheatfield, NY

Read more about Residential Real Estate Transactions

- Real Estate Website Management New York

With the advent of the Internet, selling real estate has changed dramatically. Read the following article about how a website can improve your business.

- Commercial and Residential Real Estate New York
- Looking For Real Estate For Sale New York
- Commercial Real Estate New York
- Real Estate Appraisal New York
- Get Started In Investment Properties New York
- Real Estate Investing Basics New York
- Things Real Estate Agent Need To Know New York
- Property Management New York
- Real Estate And Marketing; Part 1 New York

Regional Articles

- Commercial and Residential Real Estate New York

A breakdown of what commercial and residential real estate is and how the two types of property differ from one another.

- Property Management New York
- Get Started In Investment Properties New York
- Real Estate Website Management New York
- Real Estate Investing Basics New York
- Commercial Real Estate New York
- Real Estate And Marketing; Part 1 New York
- Real Estate Appraisal New York
- Looking For Real Estate For Sale New York
- Things Real Estate Agent Need To Know New York

Related Local Events

AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE
Dates: 11/12/2009 - 11/12/2009
Location: Municipal Building
Hastings, NY
View Details

CITYSCAPE USA
Dates: 11/18/2009 - 11/19/2009
Location: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
New York, NY
View Details

CITYSCAPE USA
Dates: 11/18/2009 - 11/19/2009
Location: Jacob K Javits Convention Center
New York, NY
View Details

AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE
Dates: 12/10/2009 - 12/10/2009
Location: Municipal Building
Hastings, NY
View Details

RealShare NEW YORK 2009
Dates: 10/28/2009 - 10/28/2009
Location: The Roosevelt Hotel
New York, NY
View Details

Rate Article

Save to My Articles

Articles Insider

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History