Purchase and sale of residential real estate - Basic information at a glance.

Contracts - Any purchase and sale of real estate will involve a legal contract between the buyer and seller.

Mortgages - Both the bank and a borrower have rights and obligations under a mortgage.

Radon testing - Many states assist homeowners in testing to make sure there are not unsafe quantities of radon gas in a home.

Lead paint - Federal law requires a person selling a home to inform a buyer about the use of any lead-based paint in the home.

Types of co-ownership - There are several different ways property may be co-owned by two or more people.

Easements - In certain cases, the law allows for a person to use another person's property in some limited fashion.

Home equity loans - A homeowner who has paid off some of a mortgage may use the equity in his or her home to secure an additional loan.

Reverse mortgages - These are a type of loan that allows older homeowners to turn some of the equity in their home into cash while living in their home.