Buying or selling a property should feel like an exciting milestone — not a minefield of legal headaches. Yet many people get tripped up by avoidable issues: unclear title history, ambiguous zoning restrictions, or surprise covenants. If you skip the right questions before you close, you may pay dearly later. Read on to learn the key things to check now so your real-estate deal ends smoothly and securely.
1. Confirm the Title Is Clear
- Ensure there are no unpaid liens, judgments, or encumbrances against the property.
- Ask for a recent title search or title insurance — this protects you if unknown claims surface after closing.
- If the home has changed hands many times, pay special attention to whether all prior deeds were properly recorded.
2. Review Zoning, Easements, and Restrictions
- Zoning laws control how you can use a property — e.g. whether you can run a business, add an outbuilding, or build a fence.
- Easements (e.g. rights-of-way) may give others access across the land — which can limit what you do with it.
- Covenants or homeowners’ association rules may impose restrictions (on paint color, fencing, height of structures, etc.). Understand them before you buy.
3. Understand Your Financing and Closing Documents
- Know exactly what you’re signing: mortgage terms, property tax responsibilities, escrow arrangements, closing cost breakdowns.
- If you’re financing, ensure all disclosures are clear — including interest rate, prepayment penalties, and insurance obligations.
- If you’re selling, make sure sellers’ disclosures (on property condition, known repairs, past defects) are accurate and complete.
Conclusion (and What You Should Do Next):
Real-estate deals can succeed or fail based on details many buyers/sellers overlook. Taking the time to verify title, zoning, and contract fine print can save you from future headaches — or even legal battles. If you’re unsure or the property seems complicated, it’s worth consulting a knowledgeable real-estate attorney before you sign. Better safe than sorry.
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