Are You Ready to Play 20 Questions on Real Estate?

Let’s play an old-fashion game of 20 questions – the real estate version. In this guessing game, all the answers are supposed to be a simple yes or no.

The challenge for most attorneys and escrow officers to answer just yes or no is because we are accustomed to elaborating on answers to allow for different situations. Therefore, I will preface by saying that these yes or no answers should all be followed by the word “usually” or the phrase “unless you have something in writing that says otherwise”.

Here are 20 common questions I am asked. How many can you answer correctly?  We’ve provided some articles as hints!

1. Does the seller get to choose the title company?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2018/01/23/title-tip-chooses-title-company/

2. Can I use a credit card, debit card, or Venmo for my earnest money or down payment?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2018/01/01/buy-home-good-funds/

3. If the earnest money is not delivered on time, can the seller terminate the contract?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2019/07/02/title-tip-earnest-money-delivery-and-delays/

4. Can I get the keys to the house the day before we close to start my remodel?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2018/07/24/title-tip-the-anatomy-of-a-texas-real-estate-closing/

5. Can the IRS or county tax assessor take my home for not paying my taxes?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2019/07/30/title-tip-texas-homesteads-and-judgment-liens/

6. Can a debt collector or contractor take my home for not paying them?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2019/07/30/title-tip-texas-homesteads-and-judgment-liens/

7. Can I take back an offer made on a house if the seller has not signed the contract yet?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2019/08/27/title-tip-what-happens-when-you-rescind-an-offer-to-purchase/

8. Is it worth the trouble to file a homestead exemption on my home?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2019/01/08/title-tip-how-to-file-for-your-homestead-exemption/

9. Will paying cash for a house save me money?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2020/02/11/title-tip-romance-cash-off/

10. Does the title company have to accept the seller’s copy of a survey?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2019/12/03/title-tip-texas-land-survey/

11. Can an HOA forbid me from parking on the street or storing my boat in my driveway?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2020/08/11/title-tip-are-there-deed-restrictions-on-my-property/

12. Can I close on my house on a Saturday or Sunday?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2018/03/07/title-tip-title-companies-closed-weekends/

13. Does my Nest thermostat have to stay with the house when I sell?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2021/01/26/be-smart-about-transferring-smart-home-devices-after-a-sale/

14. May I take the curtains and curtain rods when I sell the house?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2020/08/25/title-tip-what-you-can-and-cannot-take-with-you-when-you-go/

15. Do I have to tell the title company if I am single, married, divorced, or widowed?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2020/12/15/title-tip-why-does-the-title-company-need-to-know-if-im-single-or-married/

16. Do I need a paper copy of my title or deed?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2018/02/07/title-tip/

17. Are closing costs and title insurance higher in Texas than most other states?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2020/04/07/title-tip-2019-data-shows-how-texas-ranks-on-closing-costs/

18. Can a title company refuse to close on my sale?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2021/06/01/title-tip-what-real-estate-is-actually-unsellable/

19. If I do not have a current driver’s license, can I bring my social security card for my ID?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2021/03/09/title-tip-do-you-have-any-idea-about-your-id/

20. Can I get a better price on the title insurance?

https://daltxrealestate.com/2018/01/15/118861/

---

Answers

Add ‘usually’ to each of these answers:

1. No
2. No
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. No
7. Yes
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. No
11. Yes
12. No
13. Yes
14. No
15. Yes
16. No
17. No
18. Yes
19. No
20. No

The opinions expressed are of the individual author for informational purposes only and not for legal advice.