Places your property in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Shows your house whether you are in or not. Shows your house to its best advantage.

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2 Actually, facts and experience show the difficulties of selling your own house usually far outweigh the benefits. Here is what your Realtor will do that you, as the home seller, cannot do or find hard to do. A REALTOR : Places your property in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Provides solid up-to-date market information with recent sales and current listings which helps you price your house realistically. Shows your house whether you are in or not. Provides pre-qualified buyers who know what they want and how much they can afford. Shows your house to its best advantage. Helps you negotiate a satisfactory sale. Leads you and the buyer through the puzzle of disclosures, inspections, rates, fees and financing options, helping with loan placement and follow-up. Protects your interest from contract through the close of escrow with an understanding of real estate procedures.

3 Realtors make it their business to provide every service connected with the sale of your house, from expert advice in the early stages to careful monitoring of your closing, also known as escrow. The more closely you work with your Realtor, the better your needs are known and the better you can be served saving you time and grief. Marketing your house effectively means first getting an overview of the elements involved, then fitting the pieces into their proper place. Your first step is for you and your Realtor to formulate a strategy for putting your house on the market; what services to expect from your Real Estate Agent, how to set your asking price, how to estimate the net proceeds from your sale, how to get your house ready to sell, and more. The over-all steps in selling your house are essentially these: Meet with your Realtor to determine your asking price and establish your personal plan for the maximum marketability of your house. Review all financing options, including seller financing and other acceptable terms. Make all the repairs and/or improvements that will increase the marketability of your house. List your house for sale at a realistic price. Permit your house to easily be shown to prospective buyers. Consider all offers and let your Realtor negotiate a sales contract. Review the Estimated Cost Sheet your Realtor prepares for you. Have necessary inspections made. Wait while your buyer is approved for financing. Go to your closing, then move out of the house and move on to the future! TIME FOR ACTION: Now that you have gotten an overview of the home selling process, your next step is put your strategy into action and your house on the market.

4 At best YOU can only guess what your house is worth. If you guess too high, you will discourage many prospective buyers who will consider the property out of their reach. If you reduce the price, buyers may wonder what is wrong. On the other hand, if you guess too low, you will sacrifice money you should have had, and a "bargain" price may even seem suspicious to cautious prospects. Value is not absolute. It is based on availability, usefulness, desirability, and need. Modem, wellmaintained homes with efficient use of space, and attractive street-faces will sell for higher prices than properties in similar locations that have none of these features. Homeowners often confuse cost with value. Buyers are not interested in what you, the seller, owns buyers look for value. Several factors should not influence your asking price. Your Cost. Suppose you had received the place as a gift. Must you then give it away? Your Investment in Improvements. You put in that purple kitchen because you enjoyed it, but you are not likely to find anyone who feels your house is worth $15,000 more because of it. They may instead be calculating the cost of taking it out and replacing it with something in turquoise. Assessed Value. The assessed value is the value given to the property by the local authorities to determine the real estate taxes to be paid on the property. This value does not typically reflect the market value of the property as it only a percentage of market value. Your Needs. You may require $50,000 clear to use for the down payment of your next home, but that is not the buyer's concern. Emotion. Watch out that you do not ask too much for the home because your daughter took her first steps on the porch and your beloved Tabby is buried under the orange tree. On the other hand, do not let the stress of divorce, or the need to settle an estate quickly, lead you to under price the home. According to the Real Estate Encyclopedia, market value is: "the highest price, in terms of money, that a property will bring to a willing seller if exposed for sale on the open market.. Allowing a reasonable time to find a willing buyer.. and with neither buyer or seller acting under necessity, compulsion nor peculiar and special circumstances." When a property is listed at a price which reflects fair market value, the greatest number of buyers will see value in the property within a reasonable time. You need an expert evaluation of all the market conditions; in other words, you need a Professional Market Analysis. Beware of "front-porch" value estimates that are simply computer selected properties.. took for Real Estate Professionals who have the depth of knowledge necessary to interpret this data and help you understand the best listing strategy for successfully selling your home.

5 Neatness- the elimination of clutter - is so important and leads to top dollar! You really need to take the excess stuff out of the house and pack it away. Many buyers subliminally equate a messy house as a house with problems. Kitchen- When you are selling your home, your best chance at cooking up a sale is in the kitchen. For today's home buyer, the kitchen is typically the most important room in the house.an area where form and function are equally important. Buyers view kitchens as an area that has many functions: preparing dinner; sharing meals; sorting mail; paying bills; and generally hanging out. A major kitchen overhaul probably does not make sense when you are ready to sell. But you will want to do all you can to make your kitchen look its best. Odors- Even though you have grown used to certain odors, they can torpedo a sale. When a prospect walks in your door and smells something, even if they cannot identify what is it, they will definitely be turned off. Repairs and Improvements- Basically, freshness, neatness and good working order are the chief keys to top sales appeal. Pre-Sale Inspection- Why? Because if an Inspector seconds your opinion that your home is in good condition, then you have got an excellent marketing tool that should help your Realtor sell your home more quickly and for the highest price possible. Your pre-inspection report is your negotiating tool that gives validity to your asking price. It places confidence in the minds of prospective buyers, who know that they are not jumping into uncertain territory. If you are preparing to place your home on the market, a pre-inspection should not be overlooked. It is your insurance policy for a smooth and speedy transaction. Home Warranty- By having a home warranty in place, your home will be more marketable and it can discourage downward price negotiations. In addition, you will have protection against costly repair bills at a time when they are least affordable and most inconvenient. Look at your house as if you were seeing it for the first time and be just as critical as buyers will. Repair what strikes you as the least bit inferior. Your ideal goal is to show the property in ''move-in condition''... without a thing to fix.

6 Following is a brief summary of forms associated with listing your house. EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SELL/RENT: When you put your house up for sale, it is called "listing". That is because your Realtor lists the property on the open market or in the Multiple Listing Service so your house can be exposed to the widest range of buyers. To do this you employ the Realtor to market your house by signing a contract, Exclusive Right To Sell/Rent. The agreement contains: the length of time the agreement is to be in effect; the address and legal description of your property; the asking price; the compensation to the broker; and various other terms. ARIZONA REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, INC. RESIDENTIAL PROFILE SHEET: This is the property information that will be used to input your listing in the MLS. RESIDENTIAL SELLER'S PROPETY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (SPDS) - (TO BE COMPLETED BY SELLER): Sellers are obligated by law to disclose all known material facts about the property to the Buyer. The SPDS is designed to assist you in making these disclosures. If you know something about the property that is important and is not addressed on the SPDS, add that information to the form. Prospective buyers may rely on the information you provide. (A copy of the SPDS is located in Real Estate Forms Section of this guide.) REAL ESTATE AGENCY DISCLOSURE AND ELECTION: Before a Seller or a Buyer enters into a discussion with a Real Estate Broker or Broker's Salesperson, the Seller and the Buyer should have an understanding of the type of agency relationship or representation they will have with the Broker in the transaction. CONSENT TO LIMITED REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT (''CONSENT''): ''Consent'' gives the Broker in this transaction, together with the Broker's licensees collectively referred to as "Broker'', the authorization to represent both Seller and Buyer in this transaction.

7 The final pieces are falling into place. Then, one day, you receive an offer for your house. Now you are ready to negotiate with a Buyer, sign a contract, wait for your Buyer to secure a mortgage loan, make preparations to move, and finally collect payment and hand over the keys. Throughout this process, your Realtor is at hand positioning each piece until, at last, you have the complete picture: SOLD, SETTLED, AND MOVED! When you receive a signed offer, RESIDENTIAL RESALE REAL ESTATE PURCHASE CONTRACT, your Realtor will discuss with you the terms and conditions of the offer and provide you an Estimated Cost Sheet. Every seller has three options when presented with an offer. You can either accept the offer, reject the offer, or counter the offer as soon as possible in writing. Remember, until you sign, the Buyer can always withdraw an offer if they suffer an ailment called "Buyer's Remorse". Reply as soon as possible because buyers are in the mood to buy when they make an offer but moods change. (A copy of the RESIDENTIAL RESALE REAL ESTATE PURCHASE CONTRACT is located in the Real Estate Forms Section of this guide.) Remember the first contract received often turns out to be the best. Experience shows the first 30 days on the market are critical because a backlog of buyers often exists. These buyers have been looking and waiting for a house just like yours. Overpricing misses out on this buyer backlog as does turning down good offers in the early days in the hopes of doing better later. Negotiating the sales price and terms sometimes means walking a tightrope between the highest price the Buyer is willing to pay and the lowest price you can accept. Arriving at an agreement may take patience, psychology, flexibility - and intuition. Keep the dialogue going until you agree on price and terms. Sometimes a low offer can be turned into just what you are looking for. Rely on your Realtor, who is in a unique position to help negotiations along, since your Realtor knows your situation. Your Realtor is professionally trained to find a meeting of the minds where everybody wins. After all, everyone has the same goal.. you want to sell, the Buyer wants to buy, and your Realtor wants to close the transaction. Your signed acceptance of a written offer becomes your sales contract. Except for removing any and all contingencies, this document is the binding basis for the sale. Contingencies are typically used to smooth acceptance of a contract without delaying the buying decision. Most contracts are contingent upon financing. This is for your protection as well as the Buyers, because you do not want to be tied to a buyer who cannot deliver. The sales contract is the most important document. The terms defined in the writing will be used throughout the transaction. Most important is making sure you know who pays what and what the cost of those items are.

8 Your Escrow Officer will review and explain your settlement statement at closing. The following is designed to help you understand some of the costs associated with closing and to show you cost saving policies offered SOME TYPICAL CLOSING COSTS Fee paid by an individual to ensure the buyer has a marketable title and the lender is in lien position. REAL ESTATE COMMISION Fee paid to Real Estate Broker for services rendered in listing, showing, selling and consummating the transfer of property. TRANSFER/ASSUMPTION CHARGES Fee charged by the lender to allow a new purchaser to assume the existing loan. Recording fees are assessed by the County Recorder's Office to record document of real estate transaction. LOAN FEES Fees charged by lender in connection with the processing of a new loan. These may include points, origination fee, credit report, appraisal, etc. ESCROW FEES Fees charged by an Escrow Agent for the services rendered in preparing documents and collecting/disbursing funds necessary to consummate a real estate transaction. ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENT CHARGES Taxes, insurance, impounds and interest prorations, termite inspection fee, home warranty, Homeowners Association transfer and disclosure fees, etc.

9 YOUR GUIDE TO CUSTOMARY CLOSING COSTS SELLER Owners Title Insurance Policy Real Estate Commission 1/2 Escrow Fee (except on VA) Escrow Fee for New VA Loan Payoff Loans of Record and Required Fees Homeowners Association Transfer Fees Homeowners Association Inspection Fee Home Warranty Judgment Lien (s), Tax Lien (s), etc. Recording Charges to Clear Title 1/2 Assumption/Change Records Fees for Assumptions Prorations for Unpaid Items Mortgage Pay-Off Accrued Property Taxes Reconveyance Fees BUYER Lenders Title Insurance Policy 1/2 Escrow Fee (except on VA) Recording Charges for Deed and New Loan Security Instruments All Loan Charges, except those required of the seller, including Interest from day of funding to first of next month Termite Inspection 1/2 Assumption/Charge Records Fees For Assumptions Prorations for Prepaid Items Next Month's Association Dues 15 Months Flood Insurance 15 Months of Property Insurance Property Tax Impound Appraisal Fee: By Agreement

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11 Webster's vest pocket dictionary defines ESCROW as: Deposit to be delivered upon fulfillment of a condition As a escrow holder, the escrow company s duty is to act as the neutral third party. We hold all documents and all funds, pursuant to the purchase contract and escrow instructions, until all terms have been met and the property is in insurable condition; then, we make the final exchange. We do not work for the seller or the buyer: however, we are employed by ALL parties and act upon MUTUAL WRITTEN INSTRUCTION. ''OPENING ESCROW --- occurs when your fully executed contract and the Buyer s earnest money deposit is delivered to the escrow company. Signatures of all parties are required on the purchase contract and related documents. We will need the following information from you: marital status; social security number; mortgage company with the loan number and the customer service phone number; name of the Homeowners Association with the name and phone number of the management company; your phone number; and if you will be in town for closing. Your Escrow Officer reviews the contract, receipts in the earnest money, orders the Commitment for Title Insurance, and prepares the documents required to close escrow. All documents are double checked by your Escrow Officer; however, it is the final responsibility of your Realtor to review the documents, explain them to you, and make any necessary changes or submit approval. The escrow company does their best to understand the contract as presented, to take all calls or return them promptly, and to send out documents in a timely manner. During the last few days of the month we are extremely busy closing escrows already in progress; therefore, it may seem that we are not quite as responsive during that time. However, rest assured that your transaction is important to us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. CLOSING ESCROW --- Your Escrow Officer will call you to make an appointment for you to sign your closing documents, which will take approximately fifteen minutes. Appointments are scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A photo ID must be presented in order for your signatures to be notarized. Upon receipt of all GOOD FUNDS (Buyer s closing funds and the loan proceeds) and fulfillment of contingencies --- the documents are then released to record. Upon confirmation of recordation, all funds are disbursed and closing packages provided to all parties.

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13 The AAR Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract gives the Buyer the right to conduct physical, environmental, and other types of inspections, including tests, surveys, and other studies, of the premises at the Buyer's expense to determine the value and condition of the premises. The Buyer must have any inspections, test, surveys, etc., and investigate any material matters that are a concern during the Inspection Period. The Contract also states that the Buyer shall provide you, upon request and at no cost, copies of all reports concerning the premises. PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION: In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at the premises: (1) to evaluate the physical condition, i.e., structure, construction, and mechanical systems; (2) to identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and (3) to estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, and structure. The inspection gives a detailed report on the condition of the structural components, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, insulation and ventilation, air conditioning, and interiors. WOOD INFESTATION REPORT (WIR): As a protective measure, lending institutions require that homes be inspected for damage from termites or other wood-destroying insects before closing the sale of the home. A WIR is a document prepared by a licensed pest control company that informs the Buyer and lending institution of the results of the inspection. WIR"s are two-page documents. The first page provides basic information about the inspection such as the address of the property. A section entitled "statement of pest control operator" describes the terms and conditions of the inspection. The second page of the WIR goes into more detail. It pinpoints special areas of concern such as locations of previous treatment, and areas that are inaccessible to inspection. At the bottom of page two, there is a space for the inspector to draw the structure with these details included. Obviously, this is where accuracy matters most because the Buyer and lending institution rely on this specific information when deciding whether or not to go through with a sale. Prepare your house for this inspection. There are certain things you can do that will save you money and ensure a clean report at the time of the initial inspection. You can check your house for conditions conducive to infestation. These conditions are easy to spot and in most instances simple to correct. Check for the following conditions: wood to earth contact; excessive cellulose debris; faulty grades; excessive moisture. For more information, contact the Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission ( at

14 The appraiser will make an appointment to see your home and will take about 30 minutes to a hour to look over the property. The appraiser will measure your home, draw a representative floor plan, take photographs inside and out, and review the property's condition, specific improvements and amenities. You can help the appraiser by providing a list of any improvements and remodeling projects completed since you brought your home along with an approximate dollar amount for each improvement. (Some appraisers will appreciate this information while others may not. If you had this information prepared for prospective buyers looking at your home, then providing it to the appraiser will be a snap.) Keep in mind that remodeling projects rarely bring a 100% return on investment, but a list will ensure that the appraiser does not overlook the added features. THE APPRAISAL PROCESS: If the Buyer is securing a new loan to purchase your home, the Buyers lender will require an appraisal to determine the fair market value of the property. A licensed appraiser will research nearby houses (within one mile if possible) that have sold in the last six months and are similar to yours in size, age, construction, and amenities. The appraiser will provide a typed appraisal report to the Buyer's lender within a few days after visiting your property. You will be notified if the lender requires repairs before they will lend on your home. If specified in the contract, you must repair these problems, The appraiser will have to return to review the required repairs and a re-inspection fee will be charged. NOTE: If the Buyer is applying for an FHA or VA government loan, your property will have to meet certain requirements. Chipped or peeling paint on any structures on the property will have to be scraped and repainted. Missing or damaged shingles or tiles and missing slats or blocks in your fence will have to be replaced. Other improvements also may have to be made before the escrow can close. Your Realtor should be able to advise you on the latest FHAIVA requirements. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING INSPECTIONS: You shall make the premises available for all inspections upon reasonable notice by Buyer. You shall have all utilities on, including any propane, at the time of inspections. INSPECTIONS AND WARRANTIES: Inspections and warranties are covered on pages 5 and 6 of the Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract. Your Realtor will be able to answer any specific questions you may have in this area.

15 Homeowners insurance premiums and the lack of available coverage have become significant barriers to homeownership. Most affected are those who have no credit history and existing homeowners who have water-related claims. Insurers use credit scores and the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) database, which holds claim histories of individuals and properties for five years. Insurance companies share this database in determining whether to insure the Buyer and your property. Even if your Buyer has been a loyal insurance customer for a number of years but your property has a number of claims against it, the Buyer may not be able to get insurance. Insurance companies have reduced the number of policies they are writing. Companies are tightening underwriting criteria for potential policy owners and properties themselves. The Insurance Information Institute says the average cost of homeowners insurance increased by eight percent in 2002 and is expected to rise another nine percent in But many homeowners have seen increases ranging from 30 to 70 percent. The insurance industry says the increases stem from a variety of factors, including catastrophes like Hurricane Andrew and the Northridge Earthquake that occurred in recent years. Over the past twelve years insurers paid out more than $100 billion in catastrophe-related losses - about $700 million per month - many time more than in previous decades. Another contributor is mold. Multi-million dollar jury awards, sensationalized reporting in the media and profiteering by some individuals have led to an explosion in mold claims and costs. One way to examine your claims history is through the CLUE report. About 600 insurers, making up about ninety percent of the market, feed into the CLUE database. The report will show every claim filed over the past five years. The database covers 27 types of losses - including dog bites, flood, earthquake, theft, vandalism, wind, and medical payments. You can order an electronic report from Choicepoint, the company that owns the CLUE database, for a minimal cost. Your Buyer may request you to provide a copy of your CLUE report as a condition of the sale. Once you have decided to place your property on the market, you may want to order a CLUE report to check it for accuracy and have it available to the Buyer. Get a CLUE -

16 WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE? A contract whereby the Insurer for valuable consideration agrees to indemnify the Insured in a specified amount against loss through defect of title to real estate wherein the latter has an interest either as a purchaser or otherwise. PURPOSE: Title Insurance services are designed to afford real property owners, Lenders, and others with interest in real estate, the maximum degree of protection from adverse title claims or risks. The financial assurance offered by a Title Insurance Policy is, of course, the primary aspect of title protection. The Policy affords protection both in satisfying valid claims against the title as Insured and in defraying the expenses incurred in defending such claims. THE TITLE SEARCH: Title works to eliminate risks by performing a search of the public records or through our company s own plant. The search consists of public records, laws and court decisions pertaining to the property to determine the current recorded ownership, any recorded liens or encumbrances or any other matters of record which could affect the title to the property. When a title search is complete, Title issues a Commitment for Title Insurance detailing the current status of title. THE COMMITMENT FOR TITLE INSURANCE: The Commitment contains vital information which can affect the close of escrow: such as, ownership of the subject property; how the current owners hold title; matters of record that specifically affect the subject property or the owner of the property; a legal description of the property; and an informational plant map.

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28 ''Research tells us that moving is usually one of the most stressful events in a person's life, ranked as high as the death of a loved one or divorce," said Joe Harrison, president of the American Moving and Storage Association. "But with the right kind of planning and care, you can make your move a lot less stressful." One of the best ways to do that is to stay organized and use countdown checklists, such as the ones below. ONE MONTH BEFORE THE MOVE Review your moving arrangements, Start a log of moving expense receipts. Inventory all household items to be moved. Get estimates from moving companies. Arrange for storage facility. Arrange transport service for vehicles or pets, if needed. Contact your bank to arrange transfer of accounts. Submit change-of-address forms to the U. S. Postal Service. Give day care provider notice. Contact new schools to arrange for transfer of records. Contact your doctors. Get referrals for new physicians. Change your property, auto, and medical insurance policies. Cancel newspaper subscriptions. Change your address on magazine subscriptions. Arrange for temporary housing, if needed. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE Hold a garage sale to get rid of the things you do not want to take. Arrange for disconnection and changeover of utilities. Take measurements of rooms in your new house. Try to determine where furniture will be placed. Begin packing things that are not used on a daily basis. Try not to buy anymore perishable food items. Make an inventory list of all items going with you personally. Confirm arrangements and dates with moving and storage companies.

29 ONE TO TWO DAYS BEFORE THE MOVE Clean and defrost the refrigerator and freezer. Close bank accounts, if needed. Purchase travelers check, if needed. Finish all financial matters relating to the sale of your home. Finish packing all your belongings. MOVING DAY Confirm delivery address, directions, and delivery date with movers. Supervise the move. Make sure boxes are clearly marked. Thoroughly clean your house before leaving. Check thermostat. Make sure doors are closed and locked and appliances are turned off. Leave garage door openers and keys with your Realtor. Make sure your Realtor knows how to contact you. TAX DEDUCTIBLE MOVING EXPENSES Discuss tax-related moving expenses, liabilities, and deductions with your tax advisor. If you meet the IRS's definition of a qualifying move, the following items may be deductible: The cost of trips to the area of a new job to look for a home. The cost of having your furniture and other household items shipped, including the cost of packing, insurance, and storage for up to 30 days. The cost of getting your family to the new home town, including food and lodging expenses on the trip. The cost of lodging and 80% of food expenses for up to 30 days in the new home town, if these temporary living expenses are necessary because you have not yet found your ideal home or it is not ready when you arrive. Certain costs associated with the sale of your old home and/or purchase of the new one. These expenses --- including real estate commissions, legal fees, state transfer taxes, appraisal fees, and title fees---could be used either to reduce the gain on the sale of the previous home or to boost the basis of the new one.

30 Begin your search for movers immediately after you know the date of the move. This is most important during peak moving times, which falls between May and August. HOW DO YOU FIND A MOVER? Check with your Realtor. Realtors routinely deal with home sales and can both recommend movers and make suggestions that will cut costs and save time. Look in the Yellow Pages. There are local subsidiaries of most nationally known moving companies listed among pages of small and large moving companies in the book. To be a part of such companies these subsidiaries need to adhere to the strict standards the moving giants maintain. These days, most large movers have websites and provide information, advice, and contact numbers for both corporate headquarters and local movers. Another source, but less reliable, is from friends, relatives, and neighbors. When you do get a recommendation, get all the details. Were they prompt? Were they courteous? Did they choose the shortest route from one place to the other? Did they put the boxes and furniture in the places you designated? Did they follow directions? Obtain at least two or three estimates and compare the services offered. Ask for references and call those references, making certain they are 'real" people - not friends or relatives of the mover. Get estimates within the estimate. For example, how much would it cost if the movers packed rather than you? If they pack, will they also unpack and set up beds, bookcases, and other furniture? If you choose to pack, how much will the boxes cost and how many will you need? What kinds of things should go in what kinds of boxes. By this, a small box should hold books, but a large box should be packed with lighter things, such as clothing. Will they wrap the furniture in bubble wrap, and carefully pack the computers, small appliances, and breakables? Will they move antiques and pianos, or will you need to find special moving companies for such items? Not all movers are capable of moving a baby grand, so you might prefer to have your piano moved by a licensed piano mover.

31 You also need to ask if moving items up and down stairs is an extra cost. Or if moving on a weekend or holiday will incur a surcharge. Most estimates are based on hourly costs by a certain number of movers, and, of course, on what needs to be moved, Make sure that you are provided with information on the number of movers needed, the time it will take (including transportation time), and the number of trucks. Once you obtain all the estimates, check out references, and contact the Better Business Bureau, then it is time to choose a mover. Base your decision on service, not price! You will need to make a deposit - usually about ten percent of the total estimate. Movers usually will not begin unloading the truck until they receive the balance. That does not mean your work is done. You or someone you trust needs to be on hand when the move is under way. You need to supervise and double-check and be around for questions the movers will certainly have. Develop a checklist. Make sure that the movers adhere to the letter of the contract. Do not hesitate to complain to the foreman of the crew or the supervisor at the office if things are not going as you were promised at any time during the move. Lastly, have enough money for a tip-probably about $50 per mover per eight-hour move.

32 Follow these guidelines in packing your household goods. You will save a great deal by packing yourself. Use strong containers that are in good condition and that can be secured tightly with twine or strapping tape. These can usually be purchased from your moving company. Purchase special boxes for dishes, wardrobe, and other special items. Label each box with its contents, which room it should go in, whether it is fragile and whether it should be loaded last so as to be unloaded first. Do not load more than 50 pounds into any one box and make sure the weight is evenly distributed. Cushion contents with newspaper or other packing material to prevent breakage. Use newsprint or tissue paper for items that might be soiled by newspaper. Towels and cloth napkins are great for wrapping fragile items. Pack books tightly in small boxes. Alternate bindings and wrap valuable books separately rately. Have your rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in their wrappings for easier handling. Remove all breakables and liquids from drawers and pack them separately. Seal medicines and other containers to prevent leaking and pack in a leak-proof bag or container. Pack linens and clothing in drawers, but do not overload them. Carry all valuables with you. Do not pack jewelry, documents, coin or stamp collections, or anything that will be difficult to replace. Contents of a safety deposit box can be moved for you by your bank.

33 AGENCY: ASSESSED VALUE: CC&R S: CHAIN OF TITLE: CONVEY: COURIER FEE: DEED: DISCLOSURE: EARNEST MONEY: ENCUMBRANCE: ESCROW: ESCROW FEE: A legal relationship in which someone (principal) hires someone else (agent) to represent them to a third party. The value placed on a property by the Central Appraisal District as a basis for taxation. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. A document that controls the use, requirements, and restrictions of a property. A history of conveyances and encumbrances affecting the title of real property. Process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another. Charges for deliveries. A document which, when property executed and delivered, conveys title of real property To make known or public. When dealing with real property, all disclosures should be made in writing. Money deposited by a buyer as evidence of good faith. Anything that affects or limits the ownership of real property, such as liens, mortgages, easements or restrictions of any kind. The deposit of documents and funds with instructions to a neutral third party to carry out the provisions of an agreement or contract. Charge by Lawyers Title to service the transaction and to escrow money and documents. FAIR MARKET VALUE: The price at which a willing seller would sell and a willing buyer would buy, neither being under abnormal pressure. HOMEOWNER S TITLE Insures the buyer against loss due to any defect of the title not excepted to or excluded from POLICY: the policy. PRINCIPLE: RECORDING FEE: SETTLEMENT STATEMENT: TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE TITLE: ZONING: The employer of an agent in an agency relationship. Charge by the County Clerk to record documents in the public records. The financial disclosure statement that accounts for all the funds received and expected at the closing of the escrow. Demands punctual performance in a binding contract. In dealing wit real property, title means ownership. Act of city authorities specifying type of use for which property may be used.