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...
Appreciation. Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. According to Census data, the median price of a home jumped from $172,900 in Q4 2000 to $417,700 in Q4 2023. That's greater than 6% appreciation per year on average. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but paying your mortgage month over month and year over year lets you build...
REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. When you're buying a home, here's what an agent who's a REALTOR® can do for you. Act as an expert guide. Buying a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. A knowledgeable real estate agent will know what's required in your...
Paying bills on time is just one step in maintaining a good credit score. Credit scores play a big role in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following: Check for errors in your credit report. Thanks to an act of Congress, you can download one free credit report each year at annualcreditreport.com. If you...
Following these 7 principles will improve the homebuying experience. 1. Accept that no house is ever perfect. The yard may be smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be imperfect. The roof may need repair. But if the home is in the right location and fulfills your shelter needs, don't immediately discount it. Make a list of your priorities, focusing in on those that are most important to you....
1. Talk to a mortgage broker or lender. Prequalifying for a mortgage should be the first thing on your homebuying to-do list. Talk an agent who's a REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS® for lender and mortgage broker recommendations. (Mortgage brokers don't fund loans; instead they offer options from several different lenders.) Shop around to find the best mortgage for your...
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