Rent-Back Agreement: What It Is, How It Works, and What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

Key takeaways: A rent-back agreement (also called a seller rent-back or post-settlement occupancy agreement) lets the seller remain in the home after closing and pay rent to the buyer. It’s useful when sellers need more time to find or move into a new home, avoid temporary housing, or deal with cons

What Is “Close of Escrow”? Timeline, Process, and What To Expect

When you buy or sell a home, the close of escrow is one of the most important steps in the process. It’s the point when the sale is finalized, funds are disbursed, all necessary documents are signed, and the deed is recorded, officially transferring ownership from the seller to the buyer. While it m

Builders Counting on Lower Rates to Break the Traffic Jam

Builder confidence levels continued kicking a sad little can down the same long and lonesome road. The September National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) held flat at 32, extending the streak to 17 consecutive months below the key 50 mark that separates exp

Big Drop in Building Permits, But Construction Pace is Still Fairly Steady

The Census Bureau’s latest Residential Construction report showed a mixed picture for August, highlighted by a sharp drop in building permits. Total housing starts (the groundbreaking phase of construction) fell 2.3% to a 1.398 million annual rate, led by a 3.4% decline in single-family starts to 90