Selling Made Simple

An appraised value is a professional valuation of your home’s worth, while the market value is what buyers will pay for it. Understand the nuances of both.

Knowing how to find out how much a house sold for can be a challenge. There are several methods, but the most reliable way is to ask your real estate agent.

Companies that buy houses for cash are a good solution if you need to sell fast, but there are better options if you want to make top dollar on your home sale.

In a net listing agreement, the real estate agent is only paid if they sell the home for more than the amount dictated by the seller.

Homeowners looking to save money on their sale may choose to sell their house on Craigslist, but this option comes with drawbacks. Here's what you need to know.

A seller net sheet is a document that estimates the total amount of fees and expenses related to selling your home, and how much you'll make from the sale.

Legally, a transaction broker has to act as a neutral party — unlike a real estate agent who represents the buyer or seller and their best interests.

A fixture is physical property that’s affixed to the home. If the item isn’t movable, or if you need tools of some kind to detach it, it's probably a fixture.

Selling and buying a house at the same time requires aligning closing dates, which is difficult, but new real estate tech companes can help make it work.

A listing agreement is a document sets out the terms for your relationship with the real estate agent selling your house.

An open listing agreement is a legally binding contract between a seller and a listing agent or broker that is non-exclusive.

From tax implications to financing hoops to the family strife and drama, selling a house to a relative may not be the best decision for you as a home seller.

Instead of rejecting a bid, sellers can suggest new terms in a counter offer. If they do, the purchase price isn’t the only their only bargaining chip.

When you sell an inherited house you might realize a big financial gain, but there are multiple financial considerations to take before selling.

If you're not getting any offers or showing your house that often, then it may be a sign to reduce the price of your home.

Unless your mortgage loan agreement explicitly states otherwise, there is no reason you cannot sell your home while it’s in forbearance.

The market has never been more confusing, but for home sellers who are ready to move, 2022 and 2023 will remain a good time to sell a house.

A rent-back agreement gives sellers extra time to live in a home after closing by paying rent to the new buyer. It can get complicated for both sides.

Real estate agents are licensed to help you buy, sell, and rent properties, but brokers have additional licenses to work independently or hire other agents.

You can sell your house without a realtor and save on agent fees, but you'll pay in other ways. Here's what you need to know about selling without a realtor.

While a for sale sign is no longer likely to be a seller’s primary marketing tactic, there are some benefits (and a couple of drawbacks) associated with them.

The time it takes to get your money after selling your home depends on a few factors, the most important being whether yours is a "wet" or "dry" funding state.

The good news is there are a lot of ways to cut costs and save money during the home selling process. The less good news is it’s not an exact science.

Selling your home for a dollar or some other ridiculously low price to family isn't quite the loophole you might think it is. The main reason: gift taxes.

There are a number of factors that can influence your list, including the market in your area, the condition of your home, and even your own sentimentality.

If you sell your house as-is, don't plan on getting top dollar. Still, this is a good option for homeowners who don't have the time or money to fix their house.

Investors are cold calling homeowners to buy their houses. Many of these offers are legitimate, but they probably won’t get you top dollar for your home.

Reverse mortgages let you borrow against your property to receive cash upfront, allowing you to meet living expenses without making a monthly mortgage payment.

Selling a home with tenants is doable, but it can be logistically and emotionally taxing. Learn your options for how to proceed with consideration and care.

The appraisal is a very important point in the home sale process. Still, a low appraisal doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get your desired purchase price.

While there are laws in place to help you avoid paying capital gains tax when selling a home, you may start to run into challenges in certain situations.

You aren’t required to accept the first offer, or any offer, you receive. But there may be financial repercussions, especially if there is only one offer.

While you should do what you can to make your home appealing to buyers, there are some efforts that just don’t get you the most bang for your buck.

If you need to sell your home in winter, there are ways to get around the roadblocks that winter home sellers and their real estate agents worry about.

In a hot market, you can be patient and wait for the right offer to come along. Here, we'll cover the benefits of taking a cash offer over a financed one.

If you’ve made it to closing day, there’s a good chance your real estate deal will go through. However, during the pending and offer periods, things can awry.

You can assume that most offers from home investors will not be for market value, or that you'll otherwise leave money on the table. So why go that route?

In order to officially sell a home, all owners need to be in agreement about the sale. If you can’t come to an agreement, you do have some legal options.

If your home's buyer requests a new closing date, stay calm and ask your real estate agent to walk you through the best options, including a per diem penalty.

Even if you don’t have the time or resources for major home improvements, you can at least try to avoid doing things that bring down property value.

Always check for and get required permits. Failure to do so could result in stopped or stalled renovations, or later complicate or cancel a home sale.

Need some ideas to help your live or pre-recorded virtual open house shine? The last thing you want to do is just hit the record button and wing it.

It’s understandable if you feel anxious about addressing your bad neighbors with potential buyers. Unfortunately, this isn’t a conversation you can avoid.

Most of the time, adding a room or expanding a bathroom, kitchen, or living space is a good investment, but there’s a lot to consider before taking action.

what documents are required to sell your home? Do you need to have them ready before you list your home, or can you gather them when the time comes?

Homeowners ready to sell may have mold on their minds, especially if they fear it will make it harder for them to close the deal.

In theory, sellers should love an escalation clause, as it may drive up the offer price for their home. But there are still some things to consider.

When mold is stinking up your home or you've had pets or visiting smokers leaving a scent, learn how to get things cleaned up and smelling fresh.

Many homeowners forgo permitting because it sounds like a pain. Still, homes with unpermitted work are a liability, especially when you’re preparing to sell.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just sell your house and walk away with a bunch of money? Sadly, there are tax implications.

It’s not a secret that popcorn ceilings are no longer in style, but you shouldn’t write them off so quickly.

Explore the logistical, legal, and financial considerations of selling a piece of property and learn the steps you need to take to do it successfully.

If you’re in the middle of the home sale process, and suddenly you change your mind, what do you do? Is it even possible to stop the process? 

So you’ve sold your house and are ready to move on with your life. But does the buyer just sign the documents and immediately walk into your home?

What can you do if you have lots of viewings but no offers? How long should you expect your house to stay on the market?

Knowing the most common deal breakers and best practices for making an inspection easier will give you a leg up in the process.

Who you hire to sell your house is crucially important — which is why you need to know what to ask a prospective real estate agent before you get started.

From small finishing touches to major additions, there are many ways to improve your home and make it more valuable.

It’s not uncommon to negotiate the sale of select, or all, furniture during closing. Let’s take a look at this process and how to negotiate furniture prices.

Though most real estate agents work on commission, the exact percentage they earn depends on location, split, and other factors.

You've sold your home, and suddenly, you're getting cold feet. When is it too late to back out of the contract? And what are your options for doing so legally?

Once you sell your old house, it's time to move into your new one. When that's not possible yet, you'll have to find temporary housing.

Painting a room in your house takes some time, but it can do wonders for home value.

Is your house not selling? Are you not getting offers accepted? If you’re worried about your real estate agent, look for these red flags.

You typically don't have to be at the closing of your home sale, even if the closing isn't "remote." There are some other things you'll need to do, however.

Once you know what a square foot looks like, you can figure out how many square feet are in your home, from the basement on up.

Home staging helps your home look its best for potential buyers. Let’s break down the costs to understand what you’re getting.

Though it's rare, in some situations, buyers are allowed to back out after the final walkthrough. Here's how to avoid that.

Technically, repairs aren't “mandatory” after a home inspection but they may be necessary for the seller, especially when not fixing them means losing the sale.

If you're going through a divorce and need to sell your house, just know you've got options.

Should you cash out with a big sale of your house and use that to fund your new life, or turn your house into a rental and collect money every month?

You can sell your house at any time after buying it, but it's best to wait a few years until you break even and don't have to pay unnecessary penalties.

Certain factors — like unique renovations, outdated appliances, and even location — can hurt your home appraisal, and thus the value of your house.

If you need to sell a home in poor condition for whatever reason, how can you make the process easier?

When preparing to sell your house, there are a number of things you can do to ensure it sells quickly and without issues. This list of tips will help.

Orchard consultations are a great way to determine if working with us is right for you. Learn what is covered in this 40-minute, no-obligation session.

Don't let real estate jargon overcomplicate your buying and selling experience. Our glossary is here to help you understand the most important terms.

Ready to sell your home? But exactly how long does it take to sell a house? Here’s a look at the home selling process and how long it may take for you.

The average closing costs for sellers typically amount 8% to 10% of the purchase price of the home and can be negotiated between the buyer and seller.

When it comes to real estate, timing is everything. If you’re looking to sell your house fast in Dallas, Texas, here are some things to watch out for.

How can you make sure your home buying or selling journey goes as smoothly as possible? This home appraisal checklist for buyers and sellers will do just that.

Wondering exactly what an open house in real estate is? This post walks buyers and sellers through everything they need to know to make the most of open houses.

If you were hoping to buy or sell a home this year, you might be second-guessing things now. Here's why this could still be a good time to buy or sell a house.

If you’re looking to move out of your VA loan home, you might be wondering how long you have to live in the home before selling. Here’s what to know.

A traditional home sale can be pretty stressful, but it doesn't have to be. This checklist for selling a home will help you prepare for the journey ahead.

Buyers and sellers are each responsible for their own set of closing costs on a home sale, and buyers can ask sellers to cover more costs as concessions.

Thinking about selling your home? Here are three reasons why getting a pre-listing home inspection could help you sell your home faster and for top dollar.

As long as you’re in good standing with your lender, selling a house with a mortgage is standard practice.

Thinking about selling your house? This seller's home maintenance checklist will help you ensure that your home is in tip-top shape once it's time to sell.

A home inspection only takes two to four hours to complete, but you will have to wait few days to receive the inspection report.

The best time of the year to sell a house is typically in May, but it can also depend on your local housing market and your selling goals.

One piece of the real estate puzzle that a home buyer and seller will likely negotiate is a seller concession. Here’s exactly what a seller concession means.

Here are five tips you need to know when selling your house as-is.

If you’re selling your house, you’re probably wondering how much you’ll make, but how much the home sale could cost? Learn the true costs of selling a home.

One real estate element that many of us tend to forget is the earnest money deposit. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, here’s what you’ll want to know.

In Texas, an option period allows the buyer to back out of a home sale and get their earnest money back from the seller. Option fees may be nonrefundable though

“How do I sell my house without going crazy?” Home sales can be stressful at times, but these tips can help ensure a smooth experience for you and your family.