The Transaction Rulebook
A living, plain-language guide to how California real estate transactions actually work.
Assignment & nomination
A buyer may transfer the contractual position when the agreement allows it. Assignment does not automatically release the original buyer.
Appraisal contingency
What the appraisal contingency does, how it interacts with financing, and what choices follow a low valuation.
Revised title report
How to review a revised preliminary title report, identify new matters, and calculate a response deadline.
Buyer investigation
What buyer investigation includes, reasonable steps to take, and how investigation fits with disclosures and contingencies.
Agency confirmation
Confirm who represents whom, when the relationship changes, and what the written agreement actually authorizes.
Earnest money deposit
The deposit is part of performance, not a guarantee that the seller automatically keeps the money after a dispute.