Choosing to buy a home is a major step, representing a huge financial commitment. Yet, amid the excitement of searching for a new house, it is important to be aware of signs that suggest it might be wise to reconsider. Understanding these signs can help you make a...
Keeping You On Track As To Your Legal Matters

Real Estate Law
When do you receive final approval of your mortgage?
While looking to buy a home, you will likely encounter terms that banks use interchangeably, such as prequalification and preapproval. However, these words do not denote the same meanings. You might think you have a mortgage in hand when you still have not received...
Are you getting a good real estate title?
There is much more to real estate than just finding the perfect home or property. Ensuring you get a clear and clean title is a crucial step in this process. A real estate title is essentially a legal document that proves your ownership of the property. The question...
How can a kick-out clause help homebuyers?
If you have found a property that meets all of your hopes for a home, your real estate contract should work toward your goal of buying it. Since some provisions in a purchase agreement can favor the seller over the buyer, you should know if contract terms such as a...
Why title insurance is important in real estate transactions
When it comes to real estate transactions, one important aspect that often goes unnoticed is title insurance. Title insurance plays an important role in ensuring that the property you are buying or refinancing has a clear and unencumbered ownership history. Title...
The basics of encumbrances in real estate
If you have never bought a home before, you should know the meaning of any terms important to your real estate purchase. For example, you might have learned a house you want to buy has an encumbrance. Basically, an encumbrance is a limitation on how you can use a...
Who are the parties to a deed of trust?
Real estate transactions do not only consist of mortgages. Some people buy a property using a deed of trust. Oregon is one state that allows this kind of transaction. While similar to a mortgage, a deed of trust involves three different parties. Before you enter into...
When could I lose my earnest money deposit?
You may believe that you have found the home of your dreams. However, the property might show some problems after you have made your offer to the seller. Given that your earnest money deposit could be a hefty sum, you probably fear losing your deposit by withdrawing...
Why homebuyers should avoid waiving home inspections
There are many moving parts involved in purchasing an Oregon home, and one important part of the process involves having a home inspection performed. While it is not mandatory to have a professional perform a home inspection, there are several reasons why having one...
How long can you expect your home’s roof to last?
If you are about to purchase your first home, you probably have some fears about possibly buying a money pit. While you may not mind paying for a few minor repairs, replacing a bad roof can set you back thousands of dollars. Still, your home's roof is likely to need...