How a CPA Approach to Real Estate Saves You Money at Closing

Most real estate agents focus on one number: the sale price. But anyone who has been through a closing knows that the final proceeds — or the final cost to a buyer — are determined by dozens of line items that most agents gloss over. That is where my CPA background changes the equation.

What a CPA Actually Looks For

When I review a closing disclosure, I look closely at lender charges, prorations, title charges, recording fees, prepaid items, and seller concessions. The purpose is to understand each line, compare it with the contract and earlier estimates, and raise questions before closing when something is unclear. Legal, lending, and tax questions should still be confirmed with the appropriate professional.

Strategic Pricing Is a Financial Model

Pricing a home is not guesswork — it is a financial model. I build out a net sheet for sellers before we set a list price. We look at carrying costs, current competing inventory, concession patterns, and net-to-seller outcomes across multiple scenarios. The purpose is to make the pricing decision and its tradeoffs visible before the home reaches the market.

For Buyers: Understanding the True Cost

I help buyers understand not just the monthly payment but the full acquisition cost: closing costs, prepaid items, reserve requirements, and the opportunity cost of different down payment structures. For investment buyers, we build a projected cash-on-cash return and break-even timeline before making an offer. You deserve to know what you are actually buying, financially.