Offers can be exciting, but unless your potential buyer has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. Your real estate professional will try to determine a buyer’s financial status before you sign the contract. But it’s good for you to know what buyers with follow-through potential looks like. They are prequalified—or even better, preapproved—for a...

With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, high-resolution photos and video tours are a must. Here’s how to make your home shine on camera. Understand the camera’s perspective. The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled online. Make it...

Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try. Clean windows make a huge difference.   Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. Use a garden hose, an all-purpose cleaner, and a soft brush to gently...

Here are some things you can do to make your showing more presentable. Trim bushes and branches so they don’t block windows or architectural details. Set a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch or front walkway. Install new, matching locks and knobs on your front door. Repair any cracks or holes in the driveway, and clean oil spots with...

REALTORS® aren't just real estate agents. They're members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. When you're selling a home, here's what an agent who's a REALTOR® can do for you. Act as an expert guide. Selling a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. A knowledgeable real estate...

10 questions to help you find the real estate pro who's right for you How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? As in most professions, experience is no guarantee of skill. But much of what makes for a skilled real estate agent is learned on the job. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? This will indicate on how much...

Getting your house ready to sell makes the home selling process simpler. Use this checklist to prepare your house for sale before listing it with a real estate agent. If you're thinking about selling your house, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all there is to do. The good news is, making your home more appealing to prospective buyers doesn't have to be complicated. Taking care of a few quick items...

Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range. Consider: Comparable properties: A “comp” is what real estate professionals call home sales that can be reasonably used to help determine the price of your home. But just because you’re in the same neighborhood doesn’t mean that the houses will sell for the same amount. Your real estate...

Property disclosure form This form requires you to reveal all known defects to your property. Your real estate agent will let you know if there is a special form required in your state. Purchasers’ access to premises agreement This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move. Sales contract This is...

The term “agency” is used in real estate to help determine what legal responsibilities your real estate professional owes to you and other parties in the transaction. The seller's representative (also known as a listing agent or seller's agent) is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller, meaning this person’s job is to get the best price and terms...