Frequently Asked Questions

Earnest money is a deposit a buyer puts down to show they're serious about a purchase, usually held in escrow and credited toward the down payment or closing costs at closing. If the deal falls through for a reason covered by the contract's contingencies, it's typically refundable — a lender or real estate attorney can walk you through the exact terms of any offer.

It varies by financing and local process, but a typical closing often takes somewhere around 30 to 45 days from an accepted offer, faster for a cash purchase. Julia can give you a more specific timeline once you're under contract.

A CMA looks at recently sold, active, and pending listings similar to a property to estimate a realistic price range — it's the standard starting point for pricing a home to sell, and it's free to request.

It's not legally required, but an agent represents your interests through negotiation, inspections, and paperwork, and helps you avoid costly mistakes — most buyers find it well worth having someone in their corner.

Pre-qualification is a quick, informal estimate of what you might be able to borrow based on unverified information. Pre-approval involves a lender actually verifying your income, credit, and finances, and carries more weight with sellers when you make an offer.

Buyer closing costs commonly include the lender's fees, appraisal, title insurance, and prepaid items like property taxes and homeowners insurance — often a few percent of the purchase price in total. Your lender will provide an itemized estimate once you're under contract.

Compensation arrangements can vary by transaction and are spelled out in writing before you're represented — ask Julia to walk you through the current agreement options so you know exactly what to expect.

Small fixes, a deep clean, decluttering, and good photos consistently make the biggest difference. Julia can walk through your home with you and put together a prioritized list before it goes on the market.