Buy / Path to Keys / Documents
Document library
All 28 documents you'll see between your buyer agreement and your keys, in the order they show up.
1. Before the offer
BRBCBuyer Representation and Broker Compensation AgreementYour written agreement with your agent. It sets the term, what your agent does for you, and how compensation works.PREPre-approval letterA lender's letter saying you qualify for a loan up to an amount, after reviewing your documents and credit.POFProof of fundsBank or brokerage statements showing you have the deposit, down payment and closing costs.PREINSSeller pre-inspectionsHome and pest inspections the seller ordered before listing, shared so buyers can bid with fewer contingencies.CMAComparative Market AnalysisYour agent's analysis of recent sales, pending deals and active listings to estimate what the home will sell for.
2. Offer & negotiation
RPACalifornia Residential Purchase AgreementThe contract. Price, deposit, loan terms, contingency periods, close date, who pays which costs, and what stays with the house.SCOSeller Counter OfferThe seller's response changing some of your terms. Anything not changed stays as you wrote it.SMCOSeller Multiple Counter OfferA counter sent to several buyers at once. Even if you sign it, the seller must sign again for it to bind.BCOBuyer Counter OfferYour response to a seller counter, changing terms again.
3. Escrow & contingencies
TDSTransfer Disclosure StatementThe seller's required disclosure of known conditions affecting the property, from appliances to defects.SPQSeller Property QuestionnaireA longer questionnaire covering things the TDS misses: neighborhood issues, past insurance claims, pets, lawsuits, deaths on the property.AVIDAgent Visual Inspection DisclosureEach agent's notes from a walk-through of accessible areas. It is not a professional inspection.NHDNatural Hazard Disclosure reportA third-party report on earthquake fault zones, flood zones, fire hazard zones and similar.HOAHOA documentsFor condos and townhomes: budget, reserves, rules, minutes and any pending assessments or lawsuits.ESCEscrow instructionsEscrow's written instructions to carry out the contract: what it collects, pays and records.EMDEarnest money deposit receiptEscrow's confirmation that your good-faith deposit arrived.PTRPreliminary title reportShows who owns the home and any liens, easements or restrictions recorded against it.INSPInspection reportsYour own inspectors' reports: general home, pest, and any specialists like roof, sewer lateral, foundation or chimney.APPRAppraisal reportAn independent value opinion ordered by your lender to confirm the home supports the loan.RRRequest for RepairYour formal request for repairs, a credit or a price cut based on what inspections found.RRRRSeller Response and Buyer Reply to Request for RepairThe seller's answer to your request, and your reply. Can go back and forth.LOANLoan approvalThe lender's confirmation that underwriting conditions are cleared and the loan is approved.CRContingency RemovalYou sign to remove one or more contingencies. After that, backing out for that reason puts your deposit at risk.NBPNotice to Buyer to PerformThe seller's notice when you miss a deadline. You get 2 days to act before the seller cancels.
4. Closing
VPVerification of Property ConditionYour sign-off after the final walkthrough confirming the home's condition.CDClosing DisclosureThe lender's final statement of loan terms and closing costs. Federal law requires you get it 3 business days before signing.DEEDGrant deedThe document that transfers ownership from the seller to you. Recorded with the county at closing.LDOCSLoan documentsThe note (your promise to repay) and deed of trust (the home secures the loan), plus lender disclosures.
Want help reading yours?
Send it over. I'll walk you through what matters.