- Why should I use a Realtor when buying or selling a home?
Fiduciary Responsibility – When you work with a Realtor, their fiduciary responsibility is to you. That means you have an expert who is looking out for your best financial interests, an expert who’s contractually bound to do everything in their power to protect you.
Complex Real Estate Regulations – Buying or selling a home is not like purchasing a plane ticket. Every home is different, and laws change every year and vary from state to state. Realtors are immersed in real estate, and they must stay current with all the updates in regulations, laws, contracts and practices.
Finding The Right Home Beyond Square Footage – Realtors live and breathe real estate, and they can share information about a home that you wouldn’t otherwise know. For example, they can tell you about the perils of polybutylene piping (a plumbing material that’s prone to bursting), or the concerns with FRT plywood (a roofing material that can spontaneously combust in higher temperatures, like those in attics).Pricing And Selling A Home – There are lots of sites where you can view price estimates for your home before you list it for sale, but you take a risk using them. In some markets, online estimates can be off by as much as 35 percent, and they often rely on tax records and data that can be as old as 6 to 12 months. Realtors know the local market, have access to the freshest sale data, and can price your house in line with the market to maximize your earnings.
Contracts And Negotiations – Finding the right home is the fun part. Then the real work begins.: Today’s contracts can be 50 pages long, not counting addendums and riders. Realtors can help you navigate these complex documents and craft an attractive offer that makes sense for you. Plus, when it comes to negotiation, your Realtor is your advocate and can bring an objective voice to a very subjective situation.
- What is Mello-Roos?
Mello-Roos districts may issue municipal bonds to finance development projects with high costs. If voters in the area have elected to become a Mello-Roos district, they are responsible for the repayment of these bonds through a special tax, assessed annually based on the value of the properties within the district. Mello-Roos financed developments might include schools, roads, libraries, police and fire protection services or ambulance services. This type of financing is named after Henry Mello and Mike Roos of the California legislature, who sponsored legislation in 1982 to authorize this form of financing.
- What is an Escrow?
Escrow is the process whereby parties to the transfer or financing of real estate deposit documents, funds, or other things of value with a neutral and disinterested third party (the escrow agent), which are held in trust until a specific event or condition takes place according to specific, mutual written instructions from the parties. Escrow is essentially a clearing house for the receipt, exchange, and distribution of the items needed to transfer or finance real estate. When the event occurs or the condition is satisfied, a distribution or transfer takes place. When all of the elements necessary to consummate the real estate transaction have occurred, the escrow is “closed”.
- How long is an Escrow?
In California, a standard escrow takes roughly 45 days.
- As a Buyer, do I pay to use a Professional Realtor?
No, the Realtors on both the buying side and the selling side is always paid for by the Seller. Therefore, we always recommend using a professional.
- Why should I have Homeowners Insurance?
People take out homeowners insurance for the same reason they take out car and health insurance. If a home is damaged or someone else injured on the property, insurance helps owners cope with the financial consequences. Homeowners insurance is actually a combination of two different types of protection, hazard insurance and liability insurance.
- What stores will give me a discount with the Riverpark Advantage Card?
Only the store names listed at their specific addresses on our Participating Vendors page.
- What is the Riverpark Advantage Card?
The Riverpark Advantage Card is a FREE card for Riverpark residents featuring discounts from local merchants surrounding the Riverpark community.
- How do I get a Riverpark Advantage Card?
You must be a Riverpark resident to obtain a Riverpark Advantage Card. If you are a resident and have not received a Riverpark Advantage Card, please contact Chris Nordella at (661) 312-3575 or Brian Nordella at (805) 755-9733.
- How do I become a Riverpark Advantage Card merchant?
If you are a local merchant surrounding the Riverpark community and would like to offer a discount via the Riverpark Advantage Card, please contact Chris Nordella at (661) 312-3575 or Brian Nordella at (805) 755-9733.
- What do I do if I lose my Riverpark Advantage Card?
If you have lost your Riverpark Advantage Card, please contact Chris Nordella at (661) 312-3575 or Brian Nordella at (805) 755-9733.
- Is the Riverpark Advantage Card free?
Yes, the Riverpark Advantage Card is 100% free of charge. It is our gift to you and yours!
- Will the Riverpark Advantage Card ever cost me anything?
No, the Riverpark Advantage Card is 100% free of charge to you, and always will be. It is our gift to you and yours!
- What’s the catch?
There is none. It is a win, win, win for everyone. You get discounts, the merchants get more business, and if you’re ever looking to buy or sell a home maybe you’ll remember us!