Frequently Asked Questions

Properkey is a California-based real estate brokerage offering a complete suite of services under one roof:

• Sell - List your home for free with full MLS exposure
• Buy - Find your next home with expert guidance
• Finance (Properkey Financing) - Compare hundreds of loan options at once
• Escrow (Properkey Escrow) - In-house escrow, with title coordinated through a licensed title company
• Manage - Full-service property management at 5% flat fee
• Insure - Shop best rates for homeowners insurance

Stats:

• 20+ years experience
• Licensed in 6 states (real estate in California and Idaho)

Contact:

• Email: [email protected]
• Or leave a message with me right now and the team will follow up.

Ready to list your home? Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Go to properkey.us/sell
Visit our sell page to begin. You'll see our simple listing tool right at the top.

Step 2: Enter Your Address
Type your property address into the search bar and click "List Now" to start creating your listing.

Step 3: Complete the Listing Wizard
Our guided wizard walks you through:

• Property type and details
• Room counts and square footage
• Features and amenities
• Photos of your home (upload your own, or schedule our free professional shoot)
• Setting your price
• Owner information

What You Get (All Free):

• Personal Agent - A licensed CA broker assigned
• Local MLS Listing - Your home on every major site (Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com)
• Professional Media - 8K photos, drone aerials, interactive 3D twin, and floor plan by GausHaus
• Award-Winning Service - 20+ years experience
• $0 Listing Fee - You only pay the buyer's agent commission

How Long Does It Take?
Most sellers complete the wizard in 30-60 minutes.

Need Help?
If you get stuck at any step, just ask me! Or say "talk to a broker" to connect with our team directly.

👉 Start now at properkey.us/sell

We make money when our clients use us to buy, finance, manage, and insure their homes.

But we list your property for free - even if you don't use us for anything else.

If you don't use our other services, hopefully you have a great experience, tell everyone you know, and they use us to:

• Buy their next home
• Sell their property
• Finance with Properkey Financing
• Manage their rental properties
• Insure their homes

Our goal is to provide such a great experience that you become a lifelong client and refer your friends and family.

Properkey offers free listing - there is no listing fee to sell your home.

Traditional agents typically charge 2.5-3% commission. On a $600,000 home, that's $15,000-$18,000.

With Properkey:

• $0 listing fee
• You keep 100% of your equity
• Full MLS exposure included
• Professional media included* - 8K photos, drone aerials, interactive 3D twin, and floor plan by GausHaus
• Dedicated agent support included

You only pay the buyer's agent commission (which you set).

*Professional media is free while your home stays listed with Properkey. If you cancel your listing agreement before your home sells or the agreement ends, you repay the media cost; your listing agreement has the terms. Rental listings pay for their own shoot.

Properkey is different. Here's how we compare to other options:

vs. Zillow/Realtor.com (Listing Portals)

• They're advertising platforms - they sell your info to agents
• Properkey is an actual brokerage - we represent you directly
• Your listing on Properkey goes to ALL those sites automatically via MLS

vs. Redfin

• Redfin charges a 2% listing fee ($8,500 minimum in San Diego), plus 1% more if your buyer has no agent
• The advertised 1% is a rebate you only get if you also buy with Redfin within 365 days
• Properkey charges $0 listing fee, with a dedicated agent instead of a rotating team

vs. Opendoor/iBuyers

• They buy your home at a discount (often 5-10% below market)
• Properkey lists on the open market for full value
• You get competing offers, not a single lowball

vs. Traditional Agents (Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, etc.)

• They charge 2.5-3% listing commission ($15-18K on a $600K home)
• Properkey charges $0 listing fee
• Same MLS exposure, same professional service

Why Properkey?

• $0 listing fee (you only pay buyer's agent)
• Full MLS exposure to all major sites
• One-stop shop: sell, buy, finance, escrow, manage, insure
• Licensed California brokers supporting you

For immediate assistance: - Leave a message right here with me — the team is notified right away - Broker: [email protected] Address: 16950 Via de Santa Fe Suite 5060-141 Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 If you'd like to speak with a broker directly, just say "I want to talk to a human" and I'll connect you.

Every Properkey sale listing includes a full professional media package - free. It's produced by GausHaus (gaushaus.com), our own media company, in a single visit to your home.

What's included

• 8K professional photos - magazine-grade, MLS-ready stills, color-matched across the whole set
• Drone aerials - roofline, lot, and neighborhood context, flown by an FAA Part 107 certified pilot
• Interactive 3D twin - a photoreal Gaussian splat buyers can walk through freely in any browser, no app or download; embedded in your MLS listing and shareable anywhere
• LiDAR floor plan - a dimensioned 2D plan with room measurements accurate to about 1 cm
• Listing-ready data - square footage and room dimensions pulled straight from the scan
• Virtual staging - empty rooms furnished photorealistically inside the 3D twin, with staged and unstaged views for buyers
• Never re-shoot - need a new angle or a twilight look for a relaunch? We render it from the twin instead of sending a photographer back

Properkey sellers get the complete GausHaus package at no cost.

How it works

• Once your listing agreement is signed, we schedule the capture - one visit; on-site time depends on the size of the property, and large estates or acreage can take up to half a day
• Prep it like a photo shoot: lights on, blinds open, clutter and personal items put away. Whatever the camera sees is what buyers see - in full 3D
• Your photos, floor plan, and 3D twin are typically delivered within 48 hours and go straight into your listing
• Shared condo or HOA amenities, gated community facilities, and other areas we aren't authorized to enter can't be captured

What it costs

• Sale listings: free while your home stays listed with Properkey. If you cancel your listing agreement before the home sells or the agreement ends, you repay the media cost - your listing agreement has the terms
• Rental listings: landlords pay for their own media - ask your Properkey broker for pricing or book directly at gaushaus.com

Prefer to use your own photos? That's fine - professional media is optional. Upload them in the listing wizard: at least 10 photos, 25-40 recommended, horizontal, well-lit, with your best exterior shot first.

Buyers: look for the 3D twin on Properkey listings - you can walk the whole home online, measure any room, and take a guided tour before you ever book a showing.

Properkey primarily serves California, with MLS access through CRMLS, MetroList and Fresno MLS.

Where each service is available:

• Buying, selling and property management: California and Idaho, where Properkey holds real estate licenses
• Mortgage lending (Properkey Loans): California, Florida and Idaho
• Home insurance: Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas
• Escrow (Properkey Escrow): California

In California we serve every county, including:

• Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego
• Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area
• Riverside, San Bernardino
• Fresno, Kern
• And all other CA counties

Short answer: Properkey does not recommend open houses. They rarely sell the home, and they expose you to real risk. Here's the straight story.

Who actually shows up to an open house

• Neighbors who are curious about your home and your asking price
• Casual browsers and "someday" buyers who aren't pre-approved
• Thieves. An open house lets strangers walk through your home with no appointment, no ID, and no screening. Prescription medications, jewelry, electronics, mail, and spare keys go missing at open houses, and some visitors are there to scout your layout and locks for a later break-in.

Serious, qualified buyers don't wait for a Sunday afternoon - they book a private showing.

Why agents still hold them

• Open houses are a lead-generation tool for the agent, not a sales tool for your home
• The neighbors are future listings, and the unrepresented visitors are future buyer clients
• In other words, the agent is advertising themselves - using your home, your weekend, and your security to do it

What Properkey does instead

• Full MLS exposure - your listing goes to Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and every major site, which is where buyers actually find homes today
• AI / GEO submission - we submit your listing to AI assistants and generative search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI, so buyers who search with AI find your home too
• Private showings through ShowingTime, a 24/7 showing service - ShowingTime verifies the agent's information and licensure before any appointment is scheduled, so you know exactly who is in your home and when

Still want an open house? You're welcome to hold one yourself, and we'll publish it to the MLS so it shows up on Zillow, Redfin, and the other sites. If you do, lock up valuables, medications, mail, and keys, require every visitor to sign in with photo ID, and never leave anyone unattended.

Buyers: want to see a Properkey listing? Have your agent request a showing through ShowingTime, or contact a Properkey broker and we'll set one up - no need to wait for an open house.

Escrow is a neutral arrangement where a third party — typically an escrow or title company — holds funds and documents on behalf of the buyer and seller until all conditions of the sale are met. Nothing changes hands until both sides have fulfilled their obligations.

In California, an escrow company or title company commonly handles this. Funds are released only when all conditions are satisfied, such as inspections, loan approval, and document signing.

"Escrow" can also refer to an impound account after closing, where the lender collects a portion of property taxes and insurance with each monthly mortgage payment and pays those bills when they come due.

In California, sellers of most 1-to-4 unit residential properties are required by law to disclose known material facts about the property's condition.

Key disclosure forms:

• Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) — required under Civil Code 1102. The seller must complete this form in their own hand describing the property's condition, known defects, and any material facts. An agent may explain the form but may not fill it in for the seller.
• Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) — required under Civil Code 1103. Identifies whether the property is in a flood zone, fire hazard zone, earthquake fault zone, or other designated natural hazard area.

These disclosures cannot be waived, even in an as-is sale. For questions about what you specifically need to disclose, consult your agent or a real estate attorney.

A contingency is a condition in a purchase contract that must be met for the sale to proceed. If the condition is not met, the party holding the contingency can typically exit the deal.

Common contingencies:

• Inspection — the buyer can have the home professionally inspected and negotiate repairs or walk away.
• Appraisal — the property must appraise at or above the agreed price for the loan to fund.
• Financing — the buyer must secure loan approval by a specified date.
• Home sale — the buyer's purchase depends on selling their current home.

In California, default contingency periods are commonly 17 days for inspection and appraisal, and 21 days for the loan contingency, though these can be negotiated.

Contingency removal is the buyer's written waiver of a contingency. Once removed, the buyer loses that exit right.

Once a seller accepts an offer, the escrow and contingency period begins:

1. Escrow opens — the buyer's earnest money deposit goes into escrow.
2. Inspections — the buyer arranges a home inspection (and possibly pest, roof, or other inspections).
3. Appraisal — the buyer's lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home's value.
4. Contingency removal — as each contingency is satisfied, the buyer formally removes it.
5. Loan approval — the buyer's lender finalizes the mortgage.
6. Final walkthrough — the buyer verifies the home's condition before closing.
7. Closing — documents are signed, funds are disbursed, and ownership transfers.

The timeline depends on the contract terms, but a typical California escrow runs 30 to 45 days.

Closing costs are the fees and expenses paid when a real estate transaction is finalized. They are separate from the sale price and typically run a few percent of the purchase price.

Common seller closing costs: real estate commissions, title and escrow fees, transfer taxes, prorated property taxes, and any agreed-upon repairs or credits.

Common buyer closing costs: loan origination fees, appraisal fee, title insurance, escrow fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, and recording fees. The CFPB estimates buyer closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price, not including the down payment.

Exact amounts vary by transaction. Your agent or escrow officer can provide an estimate specific to your situation.

Earnest money is a good-faith deposit a buyer makes when submitting an offer on a home. It shows the seller the buyer is serious about the purchase.

The deposit is typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price and is held in an escrow account. At closing, the earnest money is credited toward the buyer's down payment or closing costs.

If the deal falls through, whether the buyer gets the earnest money back depends on the terms of the contract and which contingencies are still in place. For example, if the buyer cancels during an active inspection contingency, the deposit is typically refundable.

A CMA, or Comparative Market Analysis, is a data-driven estimate of a home's market value based on recent sales of similar properties in the same area. An agent prepares it by comparing homes with similar size, condition, features, and location.

A CMA is not an appraisal — it is an informal estimate to help guide pricing decisions. Only a licensed appraiser can provide a formal appraisal. Your agent can prepare a CMA and walk you through how they arrived at the suggested range.

A listing agreement is a written contract between a homeowner and a real estate brokerage that authorizes the agent to market and sell the home on the owner's behalf. It defines the commission, the listing term, and the agent's duties.

The most common type is an exclusive right-to-sell agreement, meaning the listing agent earns the commission regardless of who brings the buyer. The agreement also covers marketing permissions, lockbox use, and showing instructions.

A counteroffer is a response to an offer that changes one or more terms — such as the price, closing date, contingencies, or deposit amount. When a seller counters, the original offer is rejected and replaced with the new terms.

The buyer can then accept the counteroffer, reject it, or counter back. Negotiation continues until both parties agree or one side walks away. Each counter creates a new offer that must be accepted within the specified timeframe.

Title is the legal right to ownership of a property. When you sell a home, you transfer title to the buyer.

A title search is conducted during escrow to confirm the seller has clear ownership and there are no outstanding liens, judgments, or other claims against the property. Title insurance protects against defects that may not have been discovered during the search.

Days on Market, or DOM, is the number of days a property has been actively listed for sale. It starts when the listing goes live on the MLS and ends when the seller accepts an offer.

DOM is a common metric buyers and agents use to gauge demand. A low DOM often signals strong buyer interest, while a higher DOM may indicate the property is overpriced or has other challenges. Your agent can help put DOM in context for your local market.

Home staging is the process of preparing and furnishing a home to appeal to the widest range of potential buyers. This can include decluttering, rearranging furniture, adding decor, and making cosmetic improvements.

Staging is a marketing strategy — it helps buyers envision themselves living in the space. Some sellers hire professional stagers, while others simply declutter and clean. Your agent can advise on what level of staging makes sense for your property and market.

Your home goes everywhere buyers look - automatically, from one MLS entry. Properkey enters your listing in your local MLS and in CRMLS, the nation's largest MLS. From there it syndicates to every major real estate website, thousands of agent and brokerage sites, and the AI search engines buyers now use.

1. The MLS - where every agent sees it first

• Your local MLS (for example San Diego MLS, MetroList in the Sacramento region, or Fresno MLS) plus CRMLS, the California Regional MLS - the largest MLS in the country, with more than 110,000 real estate professionals
• Buyers' agents see your home the moment it goes live, and their clients' saved searches email it to them automatically
• Your professional photos, 3D twin, and floor plan travel with the listing everywhere it goes

2. The major real estate websites

• Zillow and Trulia
• Realtor.com
• Redfin
• Homes.com
• Movoto
• Plus each site's mobile app

3. Thousands more sites, by group

• Local Realtor websites - every CRMLS member agent and brokerage runs a site that displays your listing
• National brokerage sites - Compass, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, eXp, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, RE/MAX, Century 21, Sotheby's International Realty
• Listing aggregators and search sites - hundreds of syndication partners that republish MLS listings
• Properkey.us - your own listing page, built for search engines, with a link you can share

4. AI, SEO, and GEO - where buyers search now

• Search engines: your properkey.us listing page is optimized with structured data and indexed by Google and Bing, so it ranks for your address and neighborhood
• AI assistants: we submit your listing to ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI, and other generative engines (GEO - generative engine optimization), so a buyer who asks an AI for a 3-bedroom in your neighborhood can be shown your home
• Your 3D twin and media kit come with a shareable link for social media and messaging

Timing

• Properkey reviews and publishes your listing to the MLS within 1-2 business days of submission
• Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and the other portals pick it up within 24-48 hours
• Price, status, and photo changes are made once in the MLS and update everywhere automatically

What stays private

• Showing instructions, lockbox details, and agent-only remarks are visible to licensed agents only - never on public websites

Yard sign: a Properkey yard sign is free on request during the listing process.

Every Properkey listing is shown through ShowingTime, the real estate industry's 24/7 showing service - included free. Buyers' agents request appointments, you decide who comes in, and nobody gets a key or a code until you've said yes.

How a showing gets scheduled

• A buyer's agent requests a time through ShowingTime - from the MLS, the ShowingTime app, or the 24/7 appointment center by phone
• ShowingTime verifies the agent's information and license before the request ever reaches you - unlicensed strangers can't book a showing
• You get the request instantly by text, email, or the free Home by ShowingTime app
• Confirm, decline, or propose a better time with one tap
• The agent receives your showing instructions only once the appointment is confirmed

Secure access with the smart lockbox

• We install an igloohome Smart Keybox 3 - a Bluetooth smart lockbox that holds your key
• No access code or Bluetooth key is released until a showing is confirmed, and it only works during that appointment's time window - never before, never after
• The buyer's agent unlocks it with one tap in the ShowingTime app - there's no shared combination floating around
• The keybox works without Wi-Fi, relocks automatically, and locks out after repeated wrong codes
• Every unlock is logged, so you can see exactly who entered your home and when

You stay in control

• Set your showing hours, required notice, and house rules (shoes off, pets in the garage, call first)
• Choose your confirmation style: approve every request yourself, or auto-confirm for vacant homes so you never miss a buyer
• Reschedule or cancel any showing from the app

Feedback and activity reports

• ShowingTime automatically asks every buyer's agent for feedback after their showing, with follow-ups until they answer
• Published feedback goes straight to your app - what buyers liked, what gave them pause, and how they felt about the price
• Your Listing Activity Report keeps every showing, feedback, and lockbox entry in one place

This is also why we don't recommend open houses: a ShowingTime showing means a verified, licensed agent accompanying a real buyer, at a time you approved.

What it costs
Nothing - ShowingTime and the smart lockbox are included with your Properkey listing.

Buyers and agents: to see a Properkey listing, request a showing through ShowingTime (the Schedule a Showing button on the MLS listing), or contact a Properkey broker and we'll set up a private showing.

Listing Creation:

• Most users complete the wizard in 30-60 minutes
• You can save progress and return anytime
• Review typically takes 1-2 business days

Going Live:
1. Complete all wizard steps
2. Submit for review
3. Properkey reviews (1-2 business days)
4. Listing approved and published to MLS
5. Live on Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com within 24-48 hours

Tip: Have your property info ready (square footage, lot size, features) to complete faster.

After you submit your listing:

1. Pending Review - Our team checks for completeness and accuracy
2. Under Review - Active review by Properkey staff
3. Approved - Listing is published to MLS
4. Active - Your home is live and visible to buyers

You'll receive:

• Email confirmation of submission
• Notification when approved
• Your listing link to share

Timeline: Typically 1-2 business days from submission to live listing.

Before Submission: You can freely edit any wizard step.

After Submission:

• Direct wizard editing is locked
• Use the Review page to request changes
• Some fields can be updated via modals
• Contact support for major changes

What You Can Change:

• Price adjustments
• Description updates
• Photo additions/reordering
• Status changes

What Requires Support:

• Property type changes
• Address corrections
• Ownership changes

A Properkey yard sign is free - just request it during the listing process. You can also ask your broker for one at any time after your listing is live.

• We install it: once your listing is approved, Properkey places the sign at your home - nothing for you to assemble or set up
• Standard sign only: a Properkey For Sale sign with our contact information. Buyers who call reach Properkey, and your broker handles every inquiry
• No open house signs: we don't provide them, because we don't recommend open houses - your showings run through ShowingTime instead
• HOA and community rules: some HOAs and gated communities restrict or prohibit signs. Check your CC&Rs; we follow your community's rules
• Don't want a sign? That's fine. Your exposure comes from the MLS, the major real estate sites, and AI search - a sign is optional
• After closing: we come back and remove the sign

Pre-qualification and pre-approval are steps in the mortgage process, but they differ in depth:

Pre-qualification is an informal estimate of how much you might be able to borrow, based on self-reported income, assets, and debts. It typically does not involve a credit check or document verification.

Pre-approval is a more thorough process where the lender verifies your financial documents, runs a credit check, and issues a conditional commitment up to a specific amount. A pre-approval letter carries more weight when making an offer.

Note that lenders may use these terms differently. The CFPB advises consumers to ask exactly what documentation and verification each lender requires for their version of "pre-approval."

The down payment is the portion of a home's purchase price that the buyer pays upfront out of pocket. The remainder is covered by the mortgage loan.

Common down payment amounts range from 3% to 20% or more of the purchase price, depending on the loan type. Putting down less than 20% on a conventional loan typically requires private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Some loan programs offer lower down payment options: FHA loans may require as little as 3.5%, and VA loans for eligible military members often require no down payment at all. Your lender can explain what options are available based on your situation.

An appraisal is an independent estimate of a property's market value performed by a licensed appraiser, typically required by the buyer's lender before finalizing a mortgage.

The appraiser visits the property, evaluates its condition and features, and compares it to recent sales of similar homes in the area. The resulting report gives the lender confidence that the property is worth at least the loan amount.

If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, the buyer may need to renegotiate the price, bring additional cash, or exercise the appraisal contingency. An appraisal differs from a home inspection, which focuses on condition rather than value.

A home inspection is an examination of a property's condition by a licensed inspector, typically arranged and paid for by the buyer during the inspection contingency period.

The inspector evaluates the home's structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other systems, then provides a written report. The inspection is informational — it helps the buyer understand the property's condition and identify potential issues.

Based on the report, the buyer may negotiate repairs, request credits, or in some cases choose to walk away under the inspection contingency. A home inspection is not the same as an appraisal, which estimates value.

Title insurance protects against financial loss from defects in a property's title that were not discovered during the title search — such as unknown liens, recording errors, forgery, or undisclosed heirs.

There are two types:

• Lender's title insurance — required by most mortgage lenders; protects the lender's interest in the property.
• Owner's title insurance — optional but recommended; protects the buyer's ownership interest.

Title insurance is a one-time premium paid at closing, unlike homeowners insurance which has recurring premiums. It covers past events (hidden defects), while homeowners insurance covers future events (fire, theft, storms).

A purchase agreement (also called a purchase contract or offer) is the written contract between a buyer and seller that sets the terms of a real estate transaction.

It typically includes the purchase price, earnest money deposit amount, contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing), proposed closing date, and any special terms or conditions.

Once both parties sign, the agreement becomes a binding contract. In California, standard forms from the California Association of Realtors are commonly used. For questions about what specific terms mean or how they affect you, consult your agent or a real estate attorney.

The final walkthrough is the buyer's last chance to inspect the property before closing, typically done a day or two before the closing date.

The purpose is to verify that the home's condition matches what was agreed upon: that any negotiated repairs have been completed, that no new damage has occurred, and that the seller has moved out and left the property in the expected condition.

The walkthrough is not a second inspection — it is a quick check to confirm everything is as expected before signing closing documents.

Conventional loans are not backed by the government. They come in two forms:

• Conforming — meets the loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
• Jumbo — exceeds conforming limits and typically has stricter qualification requirements.

FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. They allow lower down payments (as low as 3.5%) and more flexible credit requirements, but require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan in most cases.

VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible military members and veterans. They often require no down payment and no PMI.

Each loan type has different requirements and trade-offs. A licensed loan officer can explain which options fit your situation.

A mortgage is a loan used to buy real estate, where the property itself serves as collateral. If the borrower stops making payments, the lender can foreclose on the property.

Monthly mortgage payments typically include principal (the loan balance), interest (the cost of borrowing), property taxes, and homeowners insurance — often referred to as PITI. Most mortgages are repaid over 15 or 30 years.

Fixed-rate mortgage: The interest rate stays the same for the entire loan term, so your monthly principal and interest payment never changes. Common terms are 15 and 30 years.

Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): The interest rate is fixed for an initial period (commonly 5, 7, or 10 years), then adjusts periodically based on a market index plus a margin. The initial rate is often lower than a fixed rate, but payments can increase significantly after the adjustment period begins.

The CFPB notes that with an ARM, your payment can rise substantially after the initial fixed period. Each type has trade-offs — a fixed rate offers predictability, while an ARM may offer lower initial payments.

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is insurance that protects the lender (not the borrower) if the borrower defaults on the loan. It is typically required on conventional loans when the down payment is less than 20%.

PMI is added to your monthly mortgage payment. Once you reach approximately 20% equity in the home — through payments or appreciation — you can usually request that PMI be cancelled. By law, the lender must automatically cancel PMI when you reach 22% equity based on the original value.

FHA loans have their own mortgage insurance (MIP) with different rules. VA loans do not require PMI.

The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan. The APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is a broader measure that includes the interest rate plus certain fees and charges like origination fees and discount points.

Because APR includes more costs, it is usually higher than the interest rate. The CFPB recommends comparing APR to APR (not rate to APR) when evaluating loan offers, since it gives a more complete picture of the total borrowing cost.

Discount points are optional upfront fees a borrower can pay at closing to reduce the interest rate on their mortgage. One point equals 1% of the loan amount.

Paying points lowers your monthly payment but increases your upfront costs. Whether buying points makes sense depends on how long you plan to keep the loan — the longer you stay, the more you save from the lower rate. Your lender can help you compare scenarios.

Amortization is the process of paying down a loan through regular monthly payments over its term. Each payment covers both interest and principal.

In the early years, a larger portion of each payment goes toward interest. As the loan balance decreases over time, more of each payment goes toward principal. By the end of the term, the loan is fully paid off.

An amortization schedule shows the breakdown of each payment over the life of the loan.

Properkey Financing is Properkey's financing arm that compares hundreds of loans at once.

How It Works:
1. Fill out one application
2. Get matched with multiple lenders
3. Compare rates side-by-side
4. Choose the best option for you

Benefits:

• Wholesale access (programs beyond retail banks)
• Real-time interest rates
• Clear explanations, no sales pressure
• Pre-approval for stronger offers

Types of Loans:

• Purchase loans
• Refinance (rate & term, cash-out)
• HELOC
• Jumbo loans
• FHA, VA, conventional

Homeowners insurance protects the physical structure of your home, your personal belongings, and your liability against covered events such as fire, theft, storms, and certain accidents.

Most mortgage lenders require homeowners insurance as a condition of the loan. Premiums are paid annually or through a monthly escrow impound account.

Standard homeowners policies typically do NOT cover flood or earthquake damage — those require separate policies. The specific perils covered, coverage limits, and deductibles depend on the policy. A licensed insurance agent can help you understand your options.

Flood insurance is a separate policy that covers damage from flooding — standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.

The most common source is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA. Properties in designated Special Flood Hazard Areas are typically required by the lender to carry flood insurance.

Key details: NFIP flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins (they do not use binders). Private flood insurance is also available and may offer additional coverage options. Your lender or insurance agent can tell you whether flood insurance is required for a specific property.

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances (like HVAC, plumbing, or kitchen appliances) that break down from normal wear and tear. It is optional and has an annual fee plus a service call fee.

Homeowners insurance covers damage to the home's structure and your belongings from sudden, unexpected events like fire, theft, or storms. It is typically required by your lender and has an annual premium plus a deductible.

In short: a warranty covers things that wear out; insurance covers things that are damaged or destroyed. They serve different purposes and can complement each other.

An insurance binder is a temporary agreement confirming that coverage is in effect until the formal insurance policy is issued. It is commonly used at closing to prove the buyer has homeowners insurance in place.

Note: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) does not recognize binders for flood insurance — flood policies must be fully issued and have a 30-day waiting period.

Properkey Escrow provides escrow services for your transaction.

What's Included:

• Coordinates title with a licensed title company
• Document preparation
• Fund management and disbursement
• Lien clearances
• Closing coordination
• Notary services

Transaction Types:

• Residential purchases
• Commercial transactions
• Refinances
• 1031 exchanges
• Short sales and REO

License: California DRE License #01979718

Properkey Escrow coordinates with all parties to keep your closing on schedule.

Listing Statuses show where a property is in the selling process:

Active - Property is on the market and available for offers
Active Under Contract - Has an accepted offer but still showing (backup offers welcome)
Pending - Under contract, no longer showing
Sold - Transaction completed, property has closed
Expired - Listing contract ended without sale
Cancelled - Seller withdrew the listing
Off Market - Temporarily removed from active marketing

On Properkey, your listing goes through these stages:
1. Draft → You're still building your listing
2. In Progress → Completing the wizard steps
3. Pending Signatures → Documents sent for signing
4. Submitted → Sent to Properkey for review
5. Under Review → Our team is checking everything
6. Active → Live on the MLS!

After Active, status depends on your sale progress.

## Residential
For: Owner-occupied homes with a single owner/family unit

Choose this for standard homes where one family lives, including:

• Single Family Residence - Detached homes on their own lot
• Condominium - Unit in a multi-unit building with shared common areas
• Townhouse - Multi-story attached homes sharing walls
• Cabin/Vacation Home - Recreational or seasonal properties
• Manufactured Home - Factory-built homes on a permanent foundation

Key indicator: One dwelling unit, one family/owner

---

## Residential Income
For: Properties with multiple rental units generating income

Choose this if your property has multiple separate living units:

• Duplex - 2 separate units
• Triplex - 3 separate units
• Quadplex - 4 separate units
• Multi-Family (5+) - 5 or more units

Key indicator: Multiple separate units with their own kitchens and entrances. This includes properties where the owner lives in one unit and rents others.

Not sure? If you rent out a room in your home (no separate kitchen/entrance), that's still Residential. If it's a complete separate unit, it's Residential Income.

---

## Commercial Sale
For: Selling business or commercial properties

Choose this for properties used for business purposes:

• Retail - Stores, shopping centers
• Office - Office buildings, professional spaces
• Industrial - Warehouses, manufacturing facilities
• Mixed Use - Combination of commercial and residential

---

## Commercial Lease
For: Leasing out commercial/business space

Same property types as Commercial Sale, but you're offering a lease rather than selling the property.

---

## Land
For: Vacant parcels without significant structures

Choose this for undeveloped or minimally developed land:

• Unimproved Land - Raw, undeveloped parcels
• Agricultural Land - Farmland without a farmhouse

Note: If the land has a house or other significant dwelling, use Residential or Farm instead.

---

## Farm
For: Agricultural properties with structures

Choose this for working agricultural operations that include buildings:

• Farmland with a farmhouse
• Ranches with structures
• Agricultural operations with barns, silos, etc.

Land vs Farm: If it's just farmable land with no buildings, use Land. If it has a farmhouse or agricultural buildings, use Farm.

---

## Quick Reference

| Situation | Choose |
|-----------|--------|
| Single family home | Residential |
| Condo you own | Residential |
| Duplex (2 units) | Residential Income |
| House with ADU | Residential Income |
| Vacant lot | Land |
| Farm with farmhouse | Farm |
| Farmland, no buildings | Land |
| Manufactured on owned land | Residential |
| Office building for sale | Commercial Sale |
| Warehouse for lease | Commercial Lease |

## Residential Subtypes

Single Family Residence
A standalone home on its own lot, not attached to other units. Most common property type.

Condominium
A unit within a larger building or complex. You own the interior space; the HOA owns common areas (hallways, pool, gym, exterior).

Townhouse
Multi-story home that shares one or more walls with neighboring units. You typically own the land beneath your unit.

Cabin/Vacation Home
Recreational property, often in rural or resort areas. May be seasonal or year-round.

Manufactured Home
Factory-built home placed on a permanent foundation on land you own. Different from mobile homes in parks.

---

## Residential Income Subtypes

Duplex
Building with 2 separate living units, each with its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom.

Triplex
Building with 3 separate living units.

Quadplex / Fourplex
Building with 4 separate living units. This is the maximum for residential financing (5+ units require commercial loans).

Multi-Family (5+ units)
Apartment buildings with 5 or more units. Requires commercial financing and different management considerations.

---

## Land Subtypes

Unimproved Land
Raw land with no utilities, roads, or development. May require significant work before building.

Agricultural Land
Farmable land without structures. Zoned for farming/ranching use.

---

## Commercial Subtypes

Retail
Storefronts, shopping centers, restaurants - customer-facing businesses.

Office
Professional office spaces, from single suites to entire buildings.

Industrial
Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers.

Mixed Use
Buildings combining commercial (ground floor retail/office) with residential units above.

---

## How to Choose

Not sure between Condo and Townhouse?

• Condo: You own just your unit's interior; HOA owns exterior/land
• Townhouse: You typically own your unit AND the land it sits on

Not sure between Duplex and Single Family with ADU?

• Duplex: Two separate, equivalent units (same address, two units)
• SFR with ADU: Main house + accessory dwelling (still considered one property)

Not sure between Land and Farm?

• Land: No significant structures
• Farm: Has farmhouse, barns, or agricultural buildings

Properkey uses the RESO Data Dictionary standard for property data. This is the real estate industry's standard for consistent property information across all MLS systems.

Common Field Categories:

Property Basics:

• PropertyType: Main category (Residential, Land, Commercial, etc.)
• PropertySubType: Specific type (Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, etc.)
• LivingArea: Interior square footage
• LotSizeAcres: Land size in acres
• BedroomsTotal, BathroomsFull, BathroomsHalf: Room counts

Financial:

• ListPrice: Asking price
• AssociationFee: Monthly HOA fees
• TaxAnnualAmount: Yearly property tax

Features:

• InteriorFeatures: Inside amenities
• ExteriorFeatures: Outside amenities
• Appliances: Included appliances
• Heating/Cooling: HVAC systems
• Utilities: Available utility connections

Location:

• City, StateOrProvince, PostalCode: Address components
• Latitude, Longitude: Geographic coordinates

If a user asks about a specific field, explain what it means in plain language.

HOA (Homeowners Association) information is important for buyers:

AssociationYN - Whether the property has an HOA (Yes/No)

AssociationFee - The regular fee amount
AssociationFeeFrequency - How often it's paid:

• Monthly
• Quarterly
• Annually
• Semi-Annually

AssociationAmenities - What the HOA provides:

• Pool, Spa
• Clubhouse
• Tennis, Basketball courts
• Security, Gated access
• Landscaping

What HOA fees typically cover:

• Common area maintenance
• Exterior building maintenance (for condos)
• Amenities upkeep
• Insurance for common areas
• Reserve fund contributions

If you're listing a property with an HOA, you'll need:

• Current monthly/quarterly fee amount
• What amenities are included
• Any special assessments

Properkey offers full-service property management at a 5% flat fee with no markups.

Services Included:

• Tenant Placement - Screening, background checks, leases
• Rent Collection - Automated collection, late fee enforcement
• Maintenance - 24/7 support, trusted vendor network
• Inspections - Regular property check-ins
• Financial Reports - Monthly statements, expense tracking

Who It's For:

• First-time landlords
• Long-term investors
• Out-of-state property owners
• Anyone wanting hands-off ownership

Note: Available for properties in California and Idaho, not just those purchased through Properkey.

For rental listings, you'll need:

Required:

• Property type and subtype
• Living area (square feet)
• Bedrooms and bathrooms
• Monthly rent amount
• Lease term preference

Optional but Recommended:

• Security deposit amount
• Available date
• Pet policy
• Included amenities
• Photos

Lease Terms Available:

• Month-to-Month
• 6 Months
• 1 Year
• 2+ Years

Monthly Rent:

• Required field
• Enter your asking monthly rent

Security Deposit:

• Optional
• Typically 1x monthly rent
• California limits deposits to 1 month (unfurnished) or 2 months (furnished)

Lease Term:

• Select your preferred minimum lease length
• Month-to-Month offers most flexibility
• Longer terms provide stability

Pet Policy:

• No Pets
• Cats OK
• Dogs OK
• All Pets Welcome

Tip: Clear pet policies attract the right tenants and set expectations.

Properkey is committed to Fair Housing compliance. The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619) and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA, Gov. Code 12955) prohibit discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics.

Protected classes (federal + California):

• Race and color
• Religion
• National origin
• Sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation
• Familial status (families with children)
• Disability
• Marital status (California)
• Source of income (California)
• Age (California)
• Genetic information (California)
• Military/veteran status (California)

What Properkey agents must NOT do:

• Steer buyers toward or away from neighborhoods based on demographics
• Comment on school quality, neighborhood safety, or community composition
• Describe areas using language that implies a preferred occupant type
• Refuse or discourage service based on any protected characteristic

Objective resources for callers:

• School ratings: GreatSchools.org
• Crime data: local police department websites or CrimeMapping.com
• Census demographics: data.census.gov

For housing discrimination complaints:

• HUD: 1-800-669-9777
• California DFEH: 1-800-884-1684
• Local Fair Housing Council (nonprofit, free service)

2026 HUD update: HUD's April 2026 "Dear Colleague" letter clarified that agents do not violate the Fair Housing Act merely by discussing the prevalence of crime or the quality of schools, provided information is shared consistently and without intentional discrimination. However, subjective opinions ("good/bad/safe neighborhood") remain a steering risk. The safest approach is to offer every caller the same objective third-party resources and never characterize an area.

Properkey treats Fair Housing compliance as non-negotiable. Our AI assistant will redirect neighborhood and demographic questions to objective public sources and focus on property features.

Alexander Good is the Broker and Owner of Properkey. He founded the company and leads every part of it - brokerage, lending, escrow, insurance, property management, and media - from its headquarters in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Credentials

• California real estate broker, DRE license 01701870, with more than 20 years in the business
• Broker of record for Properkey, corporate DRE license 01979718
• Under his leadership Properkey holds licenses in real estate (California and Idaho), mortgage lending, escrow, and insurance - a breadth few brokerages offer under one roof
• Verify any real estate license at dre.ca.gov using the numbers above

Areas of expertise

• Selling and listing strategy - he built Properkey around a $0 listing fee, full MLS exposure, and a licensed broker on every listing
• Financing - purchase and refinance lending through Properkey Financing
• Escrow and closing - Properkey Escrow handles closings in-house
• Property management - full-service management at a flat 5%
• Insurance - homeowners, condo, renters, landlord, fire, flood, and earthquake coverage through Properkey Insure
• Real estate technology and media - founder of GausHaus, whose 8K + LiDAR 3D property twins come free with every Properkey listing; Properkey's technology, from the free listing platform to this AI assistant, is built under his direction

What that means for you

• Every Properkey client works with a licensed California broker, and the owner of the company sets the standard: no listing fee, no pressure, straight answers
• Questions about selling, buying, loans, escrow, insurance, or management don't bounce between companies - one team, one owner, one call

Want to reach Alexander? Say "talk to a broker" (or click Speak with a Broker) and the Properkey team will follow up, or email [email protected].

Our licensed California brokers are here to help:

What brokers do:

• Review and optimize your listing
• Answer questions about the selling process
• Help evaluate and negotiate offers
• Guide you through disclosures and documents
• Coordinate with buyer's agents

When to contact a broker:

• Questions about pricing strategy
• Reviewing offers
• Complex situations or negotiations
• Legal or regulatory questions

Click 'Speak with a Broker' anytime to connect with our team.

Already have a policy through Properkey? Here's who handles what. Some service requests go through your insurance carrier directly - it depends on the insurer - but the Properkey insurance team stays involved and does everything we can for our clients.

Filing a claim

• Claims are filed with your insurance carrier, not with Properkey. Every carrier runs a 24/7 claims line - the number is on your policy documents and declarations page
• In an emergency (water, fire, theft), call the carrier first so they can authorize emergency repairs, then tell us - the Properkey insurance team will follow up with the carrier on your behalf and help you track the claim
• Document everything before you clean up: photos, receipts, and a list of damaged items
• Whether something is covered depends on your policy. Our licensed team can walk you through your coverage, but only the carrier decides a claim

Policy changes

• Adding or removing coverage, changing deductibles, a new roof, solar, a pool, a renovation, a home-based business, or a new mortgage lender (mortgagee clause) - email [email protected] or leave a message here with your name, callback number, and the change you need
• Depending on your carrier, we either make the change for you or walk you through the carrier's process - and we confirm it's done
• Need proof of insurance for a lender or escrow? We'll send evidence of insurance or your declarations page to whoever needs it, or show you where to download it from your carrier

Renewals and rate increases

• Your carrier sends renewal terms ahead of your renewal date. If the premium jumped, ask us to re-shop it - we compare multiple carriers and move you if there's a better fit
• Don't let a policy lapse: a gap in coverage makes new coverage harder and more expensive to get, and your lender requires continuous coverage

Cancelling a policy

• Contact us first. Depending on the carrier, we handle the paperwork or walk you through it, coordinate with your lender if the policy is on a mortgage, and make sure your new coverage starts before the old one ends

Non-renewed or dropped by your insurer? (California wildfire areas)

• California requires carriers to give advance written notice of non-renewal - call us the day you receive one
• We re-shop your home with every carrier still writing in your area
• If no standard carrier will write it, the California FAIR Plan - the state's insurer of last resort - provides fire coverage, and we pair it with a difference-in-conditions (DIC) policy that adds the liability, water, and theft coverage the FAIR Plan doesn't include
• Wildfire mitigation (defensible space, ember-resistant vents, a Class A roof) can earn discounts and make your home insurable again

Prefer to call? Leave your name, callback number, property address, your carrier, and whether it's a claim, change, renewal, cancellation, or non-renewal - the insurance team will call you back. For an active emergency, call your carrier's claims line now.

Yes — Properkey offers home insurance. Insure is one of Properkey's six core services (Sell, Buy, Finance, Escrow, Manage, Insure). We shop rates from multiple carriers to find coverage that fits your property and budget. Insurance types we quote: - Homeowners - Renters - Landlord - Condo - Fire - Flood - Earthquake Licensing: Properkey holds California Department of Insurance licenses (corporate license #6004168, broker license #0I96795), with insurance licenses also held in Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Discounts: Professional discounts are available for teachers and educators, firefighters, police officers, healthcare professionals, engineers, and military members. Bundling home and auto coverage can save more. How to get a quote: 1. Go to properkey.us/insure 2. Enter your property address 3. Answer a short set of questions about the property, your coverage needs, and discounts 4. Submit — the Properkey insurance team reviews your request and follows up with your quotes On a phone call: offer to take a message with the caller's name, callback number, property address, and the insurance type they need — the insurance team will follow up with quotes. Never recommend specific coverage amounts or whether a claim would be covered; those questions go to a licensed professional on our team.