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    Top 10 Real Estate Terms Sellers Should Know

    Real estate terminology can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re selling your home soon, here are the top ten...

    • Josh Dawson
    • June 7th, 2023
    • 8 min read

    Real estate terminology can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re selling your home soon, here are the top ten terms you should know to feel confident during the process.

    1. Buyer’s agent vs. listing agent

    Let’s start with an easy one! Typically, buyers and sellers have different real estate agents. A real estate agent who works with the home shopper or buyer is called the buyer’s agent. A real estate agent who works with the home seller is called the listing agent because they are listing your home for sale.

    It’s possible to have one agent representing both sides, which, in Ohio, is called “dual agency,” but it’s not as common. Why? There is a potential conflict of interest in the case of dual agency because real estate agents should always negotiate in their client’s best interest—which is hard to do when you’re representing both parties. For this reason, dual agency is actually illegal in some states.

    2. Contingency

    A contingency is a clause in a real estate contract that allows one or both parties to back out of the deal if certain conditions are not met. Some common contingencies include:

    • Appraisal: allows the buyer to back out of the deal if the property appraises for less than the agreed-upon purchase price.
    • Home Inspection: allows the buyer to back out of the deal if the home inspection reveals major problems.
    • Mortgage: allows either party out of the deal if the buyer is unable to obtain financing.
    • Title Insurance: It has long been the customary practice in the Columbus area market for the Seller to provide title insurance to the Buyer in residential transactions. Should the seller not be able to give to the buyer a clear and marketable title, the transaction could be in jeopardy.    
    • Home Sale: allows the buyer to back out of the deal if they are unable to sell their current home.
    • Seller's Purchase of Rplacement Property: allows the seller to back out of the deal if they are unable to find a suitable replacement property in time.

    Contingency clauses can be a valuable tool for both buyers and sellers, but they can also slow down your real estate transaction. By their nature, contingencies make it easier for either party to leave the deal—which can leave you back at square one. But that doesn’t mean you should turn down all offers that include a contingency. Instead, talk to your real estate agent about the offer, and they can offer expert advice based on your market and your specific situation.

    3. Due diligence period

    This is the period between when you accept an offer and when the deal closes. During this time, the buyer is to do their “due diligence” and investigate the property thoroughly. This includes the home inspections, appraisal, title search, and property survey—and it’s also a good time for buyers to start comparing homeowners insurance quotes. This period is meant to allow the buyer to find out everything they need to know about the property to make an educated decision about the purchase.

    4. Equity

    Equity is the difference between your property’s current market value and how much you still owe on the mortgage. For example, if your property is worth $500,000 and you owe $300,000, then you have $200,000 in equity.

    Typically, the more equity you have, the better, because this is the amount of cash you’ll make from your sale (minus any transaction fees). More equity will make it easier to purchase your next home, or you can use it for saving, investing, retirement, education, and more.

    If a homeowner is still paying private mortgage insurance, they should check their home's equity. If their equity is greater than 20%, they should contact their agent for instructions on how to remove that from their loan payment for good!

    Did you know? A report from CoreLogic shows that the equity homeowners have in the U.S. recently hit a record high—making it a great time to sell your home.

    5. Seller concession

    A seller concession is something offered by the home seller to the buyer to incentivize the purchase. These can encompass a variety of closing costs typically paid by the buyer, including appraisal fees, origination fees, interest rate buydowns or points, real estate tax service fees, and more—but they can’t include other purchase costs like the buyer’s downpayment.

    Should you make a seller concession? That depends on your market. In a seller’s market where houses move quickly and receive multiple offers, seller concessions are usually unnecessary. But in a buyer’s market where available homes outnumber buyers and take a while to sell, a seller concession is a good way to stand above the competition and attract attention. Ask your real estate agent for their advice on your specific situation.

    6. Purchase Contract

    A purchase contract is a document that is usually presented by the buyer to the seller as a legally-binding document. It includes details like the agreed-upon sales price, closing date, and earnest money, along with any and all contingencies. This is the official agreement on the terms of the real estate transaction, and when it’s signed, it moves the process forward toward closing. Although it's usually facilitated via the buyer's and seller's agents, both parties are encouraged to engage legal counsel.

    7. Covenants, conditions & restrictions (CC&Rs)

    CC&Rs are a set of rules that govern what you can do with a certain piece of property in a given area. You may be familiar with Homeowner’s Association (HOA) rules in your neighborhood, which are a type of CC&R, but they’re also common in planned communities, condominium buildings, and industrial parks.

    What are the purpose of CC&Rs and what types of things can they govern? These rules can apply the following:

    • Home maintenance like keeping your flower beds weed free, your lawn mowed, and your home in good repair
    • Home appearance like the color of your exterior paint or the type of trash can or mailbox you can have
    • Parking such as where you’re allowed to park or whether you can add a sunshade or carport for your vehicle
    • Pets such as breed and species restriction
    • And more!

    Usually, the idea behind these rules is to keep an area aesthetically pleasing, safe, and to improve and maintain home values. Why is it important for you, a home seller, to understand the CC&Rs in your area? Buyers typically want to know this information before making an offer, and if you live somewhere with HOA rules and fees, you’ll have to disclose those in advance.

    8. MLS

    The Multiple Listing Service or MLS is the database in which all real estate listing information is stored. There are separate MLSs for states, regions, and even individual cities—and they don’t all have the same rules. MLS organizations in different areas require different information to be disclosed in a listing before it can go live in the database. Some basic information required by most MLSs include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage, the price, and the name of the listing agent—but there’s a lot more!

    9. Rent-back

    A rent-back is an agreement between a buyer and a seller that allows the seller to stay living in the home after closing in exchange for making rent payments. Why would a seller want a rent-back? In very competitive markets, it can be difficult to find a new home after you’ve sold the old one. In this case, if the buyer is able, they can offer a rent-back to the seller in a written agreement that gives you more time before you have to move out.

    10. Closing

    Closing is when the home sale has been finalized. When does this happen? A sale is considered closed when the contingencies have been met, all the paperwork has been signed, and all the money has exchanged hands—and in some areas, when the deed has been recorded with the county clerk’s office. When these steps are completed, you’ll hand over the keys, and the buyer will be the new homeowner. 

    At that point, you’ll be on to your next big dream!

    Ready to list?

    Get moving on your timeline and sell for more with me and my expert team.

    Let's go.

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    About the author

    Josh Dawson

    614.706.6288
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    Buying or selling real estate is more than a transaction—it’s a major life decision. You deserve a guide who brings not just experience, but clarity, strategy, and trust to the table. That’s where I come in. I was born and raised in Fostoria, Ohio—a blue-collar factory town where your word meant everything and people treated each other with respect. I come from a family of military veterans, tradesmen, and kind-hearted Midwesterners who taught me to do good, be good, and work hard. I carried those values with me to Ohio Wesleyan University, where I played football and graduated with the same commitment to perseverance and teamwork I bring to every client relationship today. My real estate career began not in Central Ohio, but as part of a Wall Street Journal Top 100 Team in Boston—one of the fastest-moving, most competitive markets in the country. Before real estate, I served in senior political roles, including State Director for the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Legislative Director in the State Senate. I even ran for State Representative and earned an endorsement from The Boston Globe—because I’ve always been driven to serve people, solve complex problems, and lead with integrity. Today, I bring those same values into my work as a real estate professional and former managing broker. I’ve led agents, negotiated complicated transactions, and taught hundreds of professionals how to master real estate contracts. I don’t just understand the fine print—I’ve taught from it. That insight often helps me make small but strategic contract adjustments that protect my clients or save them tens of thousands of dollars. I currently serve on the Columbus Realtors Broker Advisory Committee and am the Past-President of the Greater Dublin Realty Association, where I continue to advocate for professionalism, education, and client-first service across our industry. Clients know me for my steady communication and proactive approach. I hold weekly check-ins to ensure no one ever wonders, “What’s happening?” or “What’s next?” Whether I’m guiding a family through an emotional sale or helping a first-time buyer make a strong start, I act with clarity, empathy, and your long-term goals in mind. When I’m not working, you’ll often find me coaching my daughter’s softball team, spending time with my family, or fishing and boating in Port Clinton, where my parents now live. I live in Dublin with my amazing wife and our two beautiful daughters—and I consider it an honor to serve families across Central Ohio with focus, care, and professionalism. If you're ready to move forward with purpose, I’m here to help you do it wisely.

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