Buyer and Seller Advisory

Oregon Residential Buyer Advisory

A real estate licensee is vital to the home buying process and can provide a variety of services in locating property, negotiating the sale and advising the buyer.  A real estate agent is generally not qualified to discover defects or evaluate the physical condition of property; however, a real estate agent can assist a buyer in finding qualified inspectors and provide the buyer with documents and other resources containing vital information about a prospective new home.

This Advisory is designed to assist home buyers in meeting their obligation to satisfy themselves as to the condition and desirability of property they are interested in purchasing.  Common issues in real property transactions that home buyers often decide to investigate or verify are summarized in this Advisory.  In addition to investigating or verifying these common issues, the buyer should tell the licensee with whom they are working about any special concerns or issues the buyer may have regarding the condition of the property or surrounding area.  Such special concerns are not addressed in this Advisory.

Oregon Residential Seller Advisory

Oregon real estate licensees provide valuable services to property owners who wish to sell their property.   A licensed real estate professional can provide a variety of services to sellers in addition to listing the property and placing it in a multiple listing service.  These services include helping the seller understand their legal obligations, including required disclosures, establishing a fair price, marketing the property, negotiating the sale and helping the seller with contract performance.  A real estate licensee is not, however, qualified to discover defects, evaluate the physical condition of property, give legal advice or provide other services beyond the scope of their real estate license.

This Advisory is designed to assist home sellers in meeting their obligations as a seller of real property in Oregon.  Common issues that arise in Oregon real property transactions are summarized in this Advisory.  In addition to understanding these common issues, the seller should tell the licensee with whom they are working about any special concerns or issues regarding the condition of the property, state of the title or other problems that may surface during the transaction.